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What's the difference between a sling and a carrier?

Writer's picture: LysanneLysanne

Sling or carrier - which is it? A question as old as time! Professionally we use these words interchangeably with sling becoming a verb quite often! Colloquially however most people seem to use "sling" to mean something soft without buckles, and "carrier" to mean something more structured with clips.




A picture of a pink haired white woman smiling at the carrier.  There is a neon sign on the wall behind her saying "Carrying is Magic"

So what are these different types of slings and carriers? I'm glad you asked! There are 6 main types of slings and carriers, each with their own subsections. They all have their own pros and cons so when it comes to which one is the best - only you can know that answer for yourself! 1. Stretchy Wraps 2. Woven Wraps 3. Ring Slings 4. Buckle Carriers 5. Meh Dai/Onbuhimo 6. World Heritage Booking a consultation either in person or online is the best way to help narrow down these choices and find what works for you and your family. 1. Stretchy Wraps Are long pieces of stretchy cotton fabric. Available in one or two way stretch. One way means they stretch in one direction and two way means they stretch in two directions. Typically a one way is more difficult to get the right amount of tension, but the fabric provides more support so they can be used for longer. Two ways are much easier to learn and are more forgiving of new parents. My MotherRucker stretchy wraps are all two way stretch you can buy your very own or hire one for free if your baby is under 6 weeks old! Close Caboos and the Koala Cuddle also come under this section as they are made from stretchy wrap fabric but with their ringed adjustments offer easier adjustability and simplicity of use. 2. Woven Wraps Woven wraps are long pieces of fabric which do not stretch. This means they have no minimum or maximum weight limit. The wrap is sized to the user with a size 6 being the most common base size. I can help you find your base size during a consultation and teach you the basic skills you need to perfect this art. Once you have the basic skills mastered, the world is your oyster and you can learn all types of carries including hip carries, back carries and tandem carries! Check out my YouTube playlist to see some of mine back when my two were younger. 3. Ring Slings Ring Slings are made from woven wraps and are officially a size 1 wrap. They have two metal rings sewn securely into one end. The shoulder can be sewn as either gathered, pleated or hybrid/rose. Most people tend to prefer the gathered shoulder as it's easier to get your rings higher and easier to get a comfier shoulder. The best hip carrier and absolutely perfect for those toddler ups and downs moments as they're trying to assert their independence from you. Suitable from birth up to about age 5. 4. Buckle Carriers Trying to find the right buckle carrier is like trying to find the right pair of jeans. they're all blue denim trousers which will fit you - but the different tailoring on each one will fit your body differently. There are two main types of ergonomic buckle carrier - cross straps (X) and rucksack straps (H). Most people will prefer one style of straps over the other which will help you narrow down your choices. There are only two carriers that offer outwards/world facing ergonomically - the Ergobaby Omni360 range and the Tula Explore range. None of the others are able to support the deep "M" shape when facing outwards. The key thing to look for is making sure the base is wide enough to support the deep seated "M" position as some big name brands are unable to achieve this. If the carriers don't support knee to knee then your baby can't support themselves which makes them heavier, they can't support their own head so need a head support (which they hate) and they can't balance properly so they can't relax. All ergonomic buckle carriers can be used on the front (parent facing) and on the back in a back carry. Some also offer outwards/world facing and some also offer hip carrying. When finding the right buckle carrier, a consultation gives you the choice to try on loads of different ones in one session to find the right one for you. 5. Meh Dai/Onbuhimo Carriers Inspired by traditional Asian carrying heritage, Meh Dai and Onbuhimo have become incredibly popular in the West. Meh Dai carriers are very similar to buckle carriers - they just dont have the buckles! There is a strap to tie around your waist, then you wrap the shoulder straps around you and tie in a knot to secure. The half buckle Meh Dai is the most popular as it has a buckled waist with wrap straps. They can be used from birth until age 2-3 clothing and can be worn parent facing, on the hip and for back carrying. Obuhimo are from Japan and they have no waistband at all! They are designed solely as a back carrier and are super comfy due to their simplicity. Suitable from 6 months to age 2-3 years, they're a very nifty way of keeping your baby close. Full buckle onbuhimo are the most popular however traditionally they used rings to secure the straps. 6. World Heritage Slings and Carriers Carrying our babies is nothing new, it is found all around the world in every culture throughout human history. There are cave paintings depicting babies being carried in slings! I have two African Khanga available for hire and I was taught how to back babies by a wonderful Nigerian mother. I also have a Peruvian Manta available for hire which I am able to teach you how to use too. I always love learning about the history of carrying and carrying in other cultures so please do share with me!

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