Styles of Carriers

Styles of Carriers

People have been using cloth carriers as a way to hold and transport babies since the beginning of time. Today we have hundreds of options available to us, with many interesting variations on the traditional designs. Following are some examples of the styles of carriers available.

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Wraps
Squares or rectangles of fabric that can be used to carry baby by wrapping and tying with knots. Used traditionally in many cultures because of the simplicity and versatility, these scarves can remain useful long after babywearing days are over. New variations involve longer strips of fabric (5+ meters) often referred to as "wraps".

Wearing Instructions

EllaRoo Wrap (online pictorial format)
Online instructions for the cross carry, short cross carry, hip cross carry, kangaroo carry, newborn cross carry, rucksack carry and wrap cross carry positions.

EllaRoo Wrap (pdf format)
Printable instructions for the hip cross carry, wrap cross carry and rucksack carry positions.

Moby Wrap (pdf format)
Printable instructions for a variety of ways to tie your wrap, including tummy-to-tummy, kangaroo, and newborn carries.

Mamatoto
Online instructions for a variety of ways to tie your wrap, including front, back and hip carries.

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Ring Slings
A variation on the simple carrying scarf. Rings, rather than knots, are used to adjust and secure the carrier. Ring slings often come with padded edges, or rails, and have a tail of fabric at the end that can be left open or sewn closed.

Wearing Instructions

EllaRoo Lightly Padded Ring Sling (pdf format)
Printable instructions for the cradle carry, hip carry, tummy-to-tummy carry and back carry positions.

NEW Maya Wrap Instructions (pdf format)
Printable instructions for newborn, snuggle, kangaroo, and hip carries.

Original Maya Wrap instructional video (Real Player format)
Detailed video instructions for threading your sling, wearing your sling in various positions and with different aged children, and other sling wearing tips.

TaylorMade Slings - Silk & Solarveil© (pdf format)
Printable instructions for vertical, forward facing, hip, and back carriers. Also additional nursing positions and cradle hold.

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Pouches
A pouch is a tube of fabric with a curved seam sewn in the middle providing a "pouch" for baby to sit in. Many pouches are custom fit for the wearer, while some styles are adjustable with rows of zippers or snaps.

Wearing Instructions

How to put on your Hotsling
how to fold & put on your hotsling



Cradle Hold Wearing Instructions
(birth - 4 months)



Front Carry Wearing Instructions
(2 - 8 months)



Hip Carry Wearing Instructions
(4 months - 35lbs)



Wearing Techniques
correct wearing, tips & tricks, nursing positions, how to eject!

see More on Pouches (http://falihala-faliahalay.blogspot.com/2006/08/more-on-pouches.html)

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Soft Pack Baby Carriers
In its most basic form, this style of carrier has a rectangular or square shaped body and four straps - one coming from each corner. This type of carrier has been used for centuries in many Asian cultures. Today it is available in the traditional, unstructured style and with some modern variations, such as padded shoulder and waist straps, buckles and clips.

Wearing Instructions

Ergo Baby Carrier (pdf format)
Printable instructions for the Ergo front, back and hip carry positons.

EllaRoo Mei Tai (pdf format)
Printable instructions for the EllaRoo Mei Tai front and back carry positions.

EllaRoo Mei Hip (pdf format)
Printable instructions for the EllaRoo Mei Hip.

EllaRoo Podaegi (pdf format)
Printable instructions for the traditional carry, front carry, back carry, and front facing out carry.

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