Carrying a child correctly: all about slings, ergo-backpacks and kangaroos

Holding your child close can strengthen your relationship, make them feel comfortable, and free up your hands for other things. But it’s crucial to know how to carry your child safely and comfortably so that you can both get the most out of it. Slings, ergo-backpacks, and kangaroos are useful in this situation.

These baby carriers come with a variety of benefits. There is a solution for every parent’s need, from ergo-backpacks that provide support during extended excursions to slings that enable a comfortable, natural position. Making the ideal decision for your lifestyle can be aided by understanding the distinctions between these carriers.

This post will walk you through the fundamentals of kangaroos, ergo-backpacks, and slings so you can choose the one that’s best for you and your child. We’ll go over how to use them properly and the advantages of each choice, making sure that both you and your child have a relaxing and secure experience.

What you need to know about babies to carry them correctly

Choosing a baby carrier is much easier when you know the features of the baby"s anatomy. First of all, a newborn has mobile skull bones: the sutures between them are very soft, there are two open fontanelles. With prolonged pressure on one side, the head can become deformed. If the baby lies for a long time on a flat, hard surface, which our grandmothers and old-school doctors love so much, the skull can flatten from the back of the head or temples. And for normal blood supply and brain growth, it is the round, ovoid shape of the skull that is important. When the baby lies or sits in the arms of an adult or in a carrier, there is no threat of head deformation. Another “weak spot” of small children is the hip joints. They continue to form in the first months of a child’s life, bone tissue gradually replaces cartilage. Important point: the head of the femur occupies an ideal position relative to the acetabulum, evenly filling it, in one case – if the child’s legs are spread apart and bent at the knees – this is an anatomically advantageous position for the correct formation of the joint. Babies accept it "on autopilot" if you put them on their back or lift them into the air. Spine the baby is very soft, it does not have any deflections in the cervical and lumbar region and remains for a long time, which is also physiological. The muscular corset of children under six months is not yet developed, when carried vertically, they need to be supported along the entire back, pressing them to yourself, and do not "sit" the babies, avoid stress on the lower spine.

How to carry a baby in your arms

Carrying a baby is a whole happy art. Skilled mothers know a dozen different ways to hold a baby: with both hands, with one hand, lying down, in a column, on the hip, on the shoulder, lying face up, lying face down… If the right hand gets tired, we"ll pick up the baby with the left. Most often, we instinctively pick up babies in a comfortable and correct way. But if you doubt yourself or want to diversify your "arsenal", ask your grandmothers, a consultant at a parent club or an experienced friend. Knowledge of the anatomical features of a baby suggests: the most advantageous position for a small child is legs spread wide apart, bent at the knees, a slightly rounded back, soft support under the entire back and head. Children take this position if you hold them in your arms in a lying position, like in a cradle. You can also lay the baby on his stomach on the adult"s hand (the baby"s cheek lies on the forearm almost at the elbow) and press him horizontally to yourself, for insurance, clasping the thigh with your palm. This position also helps to gently release gas. Another option for carrying a baby correctly is in an upright position, pressing his tummy and chest to you, supporting him under the back and head, while the baby"s legs should be spread and bent at the knees. The baby receives support along the entire spine, and also rests his hips on the adult – there is no overload. If you carry a baby in the same position, but facing away from you, then the little legs do not find support, hanging in the air, and this is not very useful. If you want to carry the baby "facing the world" from time to time, it is better to hold him under the chest with one hand, and with the other to connect his feet and press him a little to yourself in the position so that part of the load goes to the little hips.

Stroller VS sling: winter shake-up

How to choose the right carrier

Ideally, in a carrier, the child should take the same physiological positions: legs apart and bent at the knees, hips rest on an adult, under the entire back and head – support. The most popular baby carriers can be divided into two groups: some fully comply with these physiological requirements – these are all kinds of slings and; others fulfill only part of the requirements, and not always – these are various kinds of "kangaroos". But we will talk about all carriers, because each type has its fans and its own market niche. And each type of sling or kangaroo has its own strengths and weaknesses, which are better to know in advance. Learning to use slings, or kangaroos – is not difficult at all. If you are afraid to do it yourself, contact an experienced mother or invite a sling consultant: they will show you the basic methods of winding and seating the child, answer all your questions. After this, you will definitely be able to carry the baby on yourself with comfort, free your hands and gain the desired mobility!

Sling with rings

So, let"s get started! First, let"s talk about the oldest carrier – a simple ring sling. However, it is now that it has acquired metal rings to regulate the volume. In ancient times, mothers took a piece of skin or cloth and tied it in a knot, pressing the child to their body. In ancient Egyptian paintings, in medieval and Renaissance paintings, you can see mothers with babies in slings – and even the Virgin Mary, who rides a donkey, attaching little Jesus to herself with the help of . However, even today, any mother can conveniently tie her baby to herself with a scarf or pareo. Modern slings with rings are sewn from cotton, linen, corduroy, denim. This is a piece of cloth 60-70 cm wide and about 2 meters long – it is also called a patchwork holder. Slings have soft sides and a shoulder pillow. At one end of the sling, 2 large rings are attached, the other end of the sling is threaded through them – this way you can adjust the volume of the carrier, quickly change the position of the baby. In a sling, the baby can lie and sit in a natural physiological position on the mother"s stomach or behind her back. In vertical positions, the baby in the sling has wide, correct leg spread, which is important for the prevention of hip dysplasia. The baby"s weight is distributed evenly: the bottom sags slightly in the "pocket" of the sling, the load is distributed on the hips and removed from the lower spine. Pros. A sling with rings is easy and quick to put on: an experienced mother will place the baby in it in a few seconds. It is convenient to feed the baby in it without anyone noticing. It is lightweight and takes up little space, is easy to wash, dries quickly. Thin – which is important in the summer heat. The baby can be carried in a lying position, and also vertically on the hip, on the back or on the chest – facing you and away from you. It is easy to transfer a sleeping baby together with the sling to the crib without waking him up. Cons. it will seem that the sling with rings looks unimpressive – a rag". This especially confuses some dads. It is not very convenient to wear it in winter over winter clothes. The sling distributes the load on the mother"s back, hips and lower back, but it is worn over the shoulder – and the shoulder gets tired. It is recommended to regularly change the "support" shoulder so that the muscles have time to rest. What to pay attention to. The sling should be made of natural fabric, not too thin, but not too hard. Width – at least 60-70 cm. The rings should be metal, cast in one piece, without joints, with a diameter of at least 5-6 cm (for thin fabrics) or 7-8 cm (for denser fabrics). The sling has a size! – it depends on the volume of the mother"s chest. For example, a mother with a size 42 will need a sling about 1.7 meters long, and a mother with a size 54 will need a sling at least 2.2 meters long. If you choose a sling with soft sides, it is important that they do not interfere with adjusting the volume of the sling by getting into the rings. Try on the sling before buying, put it on without the child and tighten it on yourself: it should be without problems to tightly "hug" you. Manufacturers: ", "Amazonas", "Mum"s Era", "40 weeks", "Diva Basico".

This device has also been used by mothers, fathers and grandmothers all over the world for many hundreds of years. Using a scarf requires skill, but it can replace all other carriers and serve faithfully and for a long time. — it is a strip of fabric about 50–60 cm wide and at least three meters long. With it, a mother ties her baby to herself in a variety of positions, all of them physiological. You can carry your baby in a scarf from birth until you want to wear him. They can be made of calico, thick knitwear, special jacquard fabric or fleece. The fabric can stretch across the scarf and should not stretch lengthwise. This device, like a ring sling, can be made by yourself or bought: high-quality ones in all sorts of colors are produced by Russian, European and American brands. Pros. suitable for absolutely all children"s ages. It perfectly relieves the mother"s back, distributing the load on both shoulders, back, waist and hips, so it can be recommended to parents with a sensitive back. The baby"s weight is almost not felt, the mother becomes like a single monolith with the baby. The baby can be carried in front, behind, on the hip, vertically, horizontally, facing you and away from you. You can carry two children at the same time, without resorting to additional means. In winter, the scarf is convenient to wrap both under outerwear and over it, it additionally warms the mother and baby. If the baby falls asleep in an upright position, we simply straighten the "petals" of the scarf to support the baby"s head. And another important plus: a full-length (not shortened) one simply cannot become small for a child, unlike all other carriers. Cons. To put a child in, you will need skill and learning the magical ways of winding a scarf. But usually after a few days, mothers can handle this task even without a mirror. It is not very convenient to wrap a scarf in public places: in a clinic or a shopping center – you need to make sure that the "tails" of the sling do not get dirty, touching the floor. If a child falls asleep in a scarf, it is unlikely that he will be able to be put down in the crib without waking him up. When sitting in a scarf, the child is under several layers of fabric, in the heat this can be uncomfortable. What to pay attention to. The fabric should be thick enough, but soft, otherwise the baby and mother will be uncomfortable. The scarf should almost not stretch in length and have no transverse or longitudinal seams. Scarves made of cotton jacquard fabric that stretch diagonally are ideal – they are produced, for example, by the Didymos brand. U also has a size grid – it is also related to the size of the mother"s clothes. And the longer the , the more winding options you have. Manufacturers: , "Amazonas", "Didymos", "MamaRada", "Manduca", "SlingMe", "Mum"s Era".

– this is, in fact, a hybrid and a kangaroo. At the same time, this is the simplest carrier (from the point of view of "packaging" of the child), where the load is evenly distributed on the shoulders and back of the adult. it is quite convenient, although it is more suitable for babies from 4-6 months, who have already increased their body volume and can hold their head. The device is simple: the base is a wide band that the mother ties at the waist or hips. A cloth (rectangular or trapezoidal) is attached to it, which supports the child under the back. At the corners of the cloth are again long ribbons, with which the mother ties the baby to herself: the straps are thrown over the shoulders, crossed, brought forward, crossed behind the child"s back (this provides additional support), brought back again and tied behind the mother"s back at the waist. Pros. In the child sits in a physiological position and receives good support. The load is perfectly distributed over the shoulders, back and hips of an adult (although in this regard it is still beyond competition). In the child can be carried in front of you, behind your back and on your hip, facing you and away from you – in a vertical position. It is easier to put on compared to a scarf. It looks more modern, especially if it is sewn from thick linen, corduroy, jeans. There is a convenient pocket on a rectangle. Cons. Not suitable for newborns. More precisely, it is suitable, but with reservations: the baby needs to be “packaged” in, folding the legs inside in the pose of the embryo, after which the baby is pressed to the mother and twist the sling straps (not every mother will decide to do so). Plant it in a regular pose, releasing the legs out, is recommended only after 4 months. You can not wear a child in a horizontal position. Putting on in public places, you need to ensure that long straps do not get dirty, touching the floor. Modes formed by straps can interfere with mom: for example, if she needs to sit down and lean back in the chair. What to pay attention to. The length and width of the straps are important: the wider they are, the better the load on the shoulders and back of the mother will be distributed. The length of the lower strap should allow the waist to wrap it twice and tie up in front. The length of the upper straps should also be at least 2 meters so that they can be correctly positioned and tied even for a mother with a size 54, even around a large baby. Some brands are divided by size, check the size with the manufacturer. The width of the back of the sling should be at least 35-45 cm, the height of the back – at least 55. Some models have headrests: they will come in handy if the baby falls asleep in the sling and the head needs to be supported. Manufacturers: "Amazonas", "SlingMe", , "Love&Carry", "Diva Essenza", "Mum"s Era".

It is important to remember: an ergonomic backpack is not a kangaroo at all! Yes, it also has straps, but in design and meaning it is identical . And therefore has all the advantages of May: it allows you to carry the baby in the correct physiological position and distributes the load well on the parent"s back, shoulders and hips. The difference is that instead of long straps that need to be wrapped around you and tied in a knot, the backpack is also equipped with volume regulators. It looks more technologically advanced and fashionable, so many dads look at it favorably. At the base is a reinforced one, which is fastened at the waist or hips (the volume is adjustable). On this belt there is a rectangular or trapezoidal panel that supports the baby under the back. Reinforced straps are attached to the corners and sides of the rectangle, the mother throws them over her shoulders (the volume of the straps is also adjustable). These straps are fastened together behind the back or on the chest with a special clasp. Pros. it is put on almost instantly and very simply, you can seat the baby in it very quickly. It looks stylish. As a rule, the backpack is equipped with a roomy pocket and: with its help you can support the head of a sleeping baby. Transferring a sleepyhead from the crib to the crib without waking him up is easy and simple. The child can be carried in front, on the back and on the hip, facing you and away from you. The backpack relieves the parent"s back well, although it is inferior in this and even more so . Cons. As in , in a newborn can only be carried in the "legs inside" position. In this case, you need to make sure that the baby is tightly pulled to the parent. But most often babies are carried in a backpack from 4-6 months. The backpack does not have a horizontal position for sleeping. What to pay attention to. The volume should fit you in size – especially if you have very small or, conversely, large hip volume (check this point with the seller). should be securely fastened. The straps that allow you to adjust the volume of the belt and straps should not be slippery so that the backpack does not loosen when walking. High-quality backpacks are usually equipped with . A hood is not needed during wakefulness, but during sleep it supports the baby"s head and protects from the sun. The hood should be easily and securely attached to the straps of the backpack. And another interesting point: some manufacturers offer a special soft insert that allows you to comfortably and safely carry babies in them. Manufacturers: "ErgoBaby", "I Love Mum", "Pognae", "Amaeru", "Baby Bjorn".

There are various ways to safely carry a child, and slings, ergo-backpacks, and kangaroos offer options for both the comfort of the infant and the health of the caregiver. All of the options free up the parent’s hands and ease their back pain while supporting the baby’s body in a way that encourages healthy development. The baby’s age, the parent’s activity level, and personal comfort all play a role in selecting the best carrier, but using them correctly is essential to prevent pain or harm for both parties.

Kangaroo

The kangaroo has a key difference from any sling. Unfortunately, this carrier does not comply with the rule of the physiological position of the child. Remember: in any sling, the baby lies or sits, pressing his stomach to the parent, legs apart. The bottom is slightly below the knees, part of the load falls on the baby"s hips, the sling supports the entire back and presses the child to the parent. What happens in a kangaroo: the child is as if inserted into tight panties, the legs are directed downwards, most of the load falls on the lower spine. Many models of kangaroos try to relieve this load, they are equipped with tightening straps that press the child to the mother or support under the arms. But still, the problem is not completely solved: in a kangaroo, the baby sits astride his own diaper, and he has nothing to lean on with his legs. Try to imagine yourself in the place of the child. In the case of a sling, you seem to be sitting on a warm and soft vertical support, an enveloping "hammock" supports you from below and behind along your entire back, you are relaxed, you are comfortable. In the case of a kangaroo, you are suspended in tight "underpants" like a parachutist, your legs do not reach the support, all your weight presses on the crotch. It is unlikely that this position can be called comfortable for the body. Some kangaroo models allow you to carry the child horizontally – and this is a good option for babies up to 3-4 months, until the muscle corset has strengthened. Let"s compare this position of the child in a sling and in a kangaroo again. In the first case, he lies as if in a hammock, the fabric supports him under the head, back, shoulders, hips and even heels, as if hugging. In the case of a kangaroo, the child seems to be lying on a bench, with his legs dangling. However, not all kangaroos are the same! If your heart lies with this type of carrier, choose models that allow you to hug the baby as much as possible and give him support under the arms. Pros. The kangaroo is easy to put on, the baby sits in it easily and quickly. The kangaroo looks stylish, and this wins over many dads who refuse to carry their children "in". These carriers often have convenient pockets. You can carry your baby in front and behind your back, facing you and away from you, and in some models, horizontally. Cons. The main disadvantage is the non-physiological position of the baby and the load on the lower spine. You cannot breastfeed a baby in a kangaroo without taking it out of the carrier and removing it – the design blocks access to the mother"s breast. Also, a kangaroo does not have that close physical contact between parent and child that slings provide or . The hanging legs of a grown baby interfere with the mother when walking, it is uncomfortable for a mother to sit with a child in a kangaroo. If slings are suitable for children of any age, then high-quality and well-designed kangaroos are divided into weight categories, like car seats. For example, up to 6-7 kg – for infants, up to 9-12 kg – for infants up to a year, up to 12-15 kg – for children up to 2 years. At the same time, as a rule, a good sling is noticeably more expensive than a sling. As for the comfort of the parent, here too the kangaroo loses to slings: with this carrier, the load falls mainly on the shoulders and back, it is not distributed to the hips and waist. What to pay attention to. It is important that the baby carrier is adjustable in volume: this way you can pull the baby towards you and relieve some of the load on the lower spine. It is good if the baby carrier also supports the baby under the arms at chest level. Make sure that the carrier has a tight headrest to support the head during sleep. The straps should be wide and thick enough, the material of the carrier should be natural, – reliable. The length of the straps should be sufficient to adjust to the build of the parents. Manufacturers: "Baby Bjorn", "Chicco", "Inglesina", "KenGo", "BabyStyle".

It’s critical to select the appropriate carrying technique for your child’s safety and comfort. The advantages of slings, ergo-backpacks, and kangaroo carriers vary based on your requirements and your baby’s age. Knowing how to use them correctly can significantly alter your daily schedule.

Newborns benefit greatly from the closeness and flexibility that slings offer. Ergo-backpacks distribute weight evenly so that parents and infants can be supported during longer outings. It’s crucial to use kangaroo carriers correctly because, despite their convenience, they might not provide the same level of support as other options.

In the end, the best decision for you and your child will depend on your lifestyle. Trying out various options and determining which one is most comfortable for both of you is always a good idea.

Video on the topic

Sling, ergo backpack or kangaroo – what is safe to carry a child in?

Komarovsky about ergo backpacks and carriers

From what age can children be carried in a "kangaroo"? – Doctor Komarovsky

Choosing an ergo backpack for a baby? (Important information for parents)

Baby carrier, Sling or Ergo-backpack? Carriers for children up to 6 months.