Category: European Babywearing Week 2021

Ring Slings:

What are they?
A Ring Sling is usually 2m of woven wrap material with 2 aluminium rings sewn into one end.

Popular carry?
Hip Carry. Newborns can be carried on your front centre or off centre.

What age are they suitable for?
Suitable from newborn to toddlerhood.

Pro's:
Once you get the hang of using your ring sling, they're really quick and easy to use.
Great for quick ups for newborns.
Handy for toddlers that like to be up and down often.
You can breastfeed/bottle feed in this sling.
Can be left pre-tied and you only need tighten it each time you put your baby in.
They come in a range of patterns and materials (like the woven wraps mentioned above).
The standard 2m ring sling will suit a range of sizes but also come in shorter and longer lengths to suit all body types.
It's the perfect sling for a fancy occasion as they can look dressy and elegant.
With only one layer of material over your baby, they are light and airy.
As they're worn sash style over your shoulder, they're a good option for warmer days.
They can be very reasonably priced.

Con's:
It can take a lot of practice to get this carrier just right (but once you find your sweet spot, you're flying it).
As it's a one shoulder carrier, it may not suit everyone, especially those with shoulder injuries.
It may not be the best choice of carrier for a heavy child on a long walk, as many prefer a 2 shoulder carrier for this.
There are a few different shoulder types so you're best to try each type out before you buy. There are gathered shoulders, pleated shoulders and hybrid shoulders and variations of all.
As with woven wraps, ring slings come in a variety of materials, some which might take a while to "break in" (see woven wraps above).

Tuesday focus on stretchy wraps

What are they?
A stretchy wrap is a 5m long length of elasticated or stretchy fabric

Popular carry?
Pocket Wrap Cross Carry

What age are they suitable from?
Suitable from newborn to approx 9mths unless you choose a Hybrid Stretchy, which is suitable to 15kg

Pro's:
You can tie this sling on you once during the day and pop your baby in and out as needed.
You do not need to remove this sling and re-tie each time you take your baby out.
With a bit of practice, you can breastfeed/bottle feed in this sling.
It has 3 layers of fabric over your baby, so perfect for winter babies.
It's made of lovely soft material, perfect for newborns.
It's 5m long so will fit all sizes.
If you buy a hybrid stretchy, you can also use it for hip carries and back carries.
They are reasonably priced.

Con's:
There's a bit of a learning curve to using this sling, many people don't tie it tight enough.
Some people find the 3 layers too warm, even in cooler weather.

Link to stretchy wraps, new stock of Love Radius Basic, Love Radius Original and Love Radius little wrap without a knot (stretchy wrap style ring sling) is enroute

Photo Tutorial of Pocket Wrap Cross Carry (PWCC)

Get 15% off all orders from 3rd to 9th May with discount code EBW15

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#EBW Woven Wraps

3/5/2021

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Woven Wraps

What are they?
A woven wrap is a long piece of woven fabric. They come in a huge range of colours and patterns and in various lengths or sizes and are woven with various materials such as cotton, hemp, linen, wool, silk, bamboo, to name only a small few. You choose the length depending on what size you are and what carries you would like to use. A great starter size is a 6 or a 7 (size 6 is approx 4.6m and size 7 is approx 5.2m).
For more information on woven wraps have a look here. And for a list of what size wrap to choose for different types of carries, look here.

Popular Carry?
For beginners a Front Wrap Cross Carry is the best way to start learning how to wrap.

What age are they suitable from?
Suitable from newborn right through to toddlerhood, usually 15kg.

Pro's:
Woven wraps are suitable from birth to toddlerhood,
They are the most versatile type of sling and can be used for front carries, hip carries and back carries.
You can breastfeed/bottle feed in this sling.
You'll find a pattern and material you love and just have to have!
You can get the perfect fit with a woven wrap, no matter what size your child is.
Once you've found the wrapping love, you'll never stop.
You can find many reasonably priced woven wraps. There are also very expensive high end wraps available too!
For front and hip carries, you can partially prepare the wrap in advance, tie it on you and tie away any long tails while you're, say, driving and then open it up to pop baby in once you've arrived.

Con's:
There's a slight learning curve to using your woven wrap.
You have to re-tie the wrap each time you take your baby out.
Long tails can fall in mud/puddles while you're tying it (I tuck long tails into my pockets to keep them off the ground, but it takes a bit of practice).
You might fall in love with wraps and lust over new releases and realise that you now have to have all the wraps and never have any spare cash (but you have amazing wraps).
Some blends take a bit of "breaking in" to become soft and fluffy (you can break in a wrap by knotting, washing, ironing, running it through sling rings, using it as a hammock etc)