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Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQ's are for guidance only. If your question isn't answered here or if you need more information feel free to email us, or telephone 01454 850446 we are always happy to answer your queries.
Which slings would you recommend for a newborn?
Any of the ring slings, pouch slings or wraparound slings are perfect to use from birth and the Wilkinet Baby Carrier is also a good choice for a newborn as is the Close Baby Carrier. back to top
Which slings can be used for a premature baby?
As with a newborn any of the ring slings, pouch slings or wraparound slings can be used with a premature baby. The Close Baby Carrier is also suitable for preemies and the Wilkinet can be used safely for babies from 5lb.
A stretchy wrap is great for being able to carry them against your body and provide skin to skin contact which is very beneficial for premature babies.
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I'm buying for a newborn but want something I'll still be able to use when my baby is much older and heavier - what would you suggest?
Wraparound slings are a good buy as they are perfect for newborns but are still good for carrying older heavier babies. The less stretchy the wrap, the more comfortable it is with a heavier child so the woven wraps are good if you want something that will last you well past the first year.
The Close Baby Carrier spreads the weight well (similar to a stretchy wrap) so is another sling that will last well as you baby gets bigger and heavier. The Maya Tie is also worth considering as it can be used from birth up to toddler.
If you would prefer a more structured, conventional looking carrier then we recommend the Pikkolo. This carrier is suitable from birth but is great for older babies and toddlers too as it is very versatile.
Pouch slings and ring slings are also useful with an older baby or toddler as they are great for carrying older ones on your hip. The Tri-cotti gives better weight distribution than a single pouch sling as it has a pouch for each shoulder so the weight is spread evenly.
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Which slings are good for breastfeeding in?
You can breastfeed comfortably in any pouch sling, wraparound sling, ring sling and in the Close Baby Carrier.
In a pouch sling it may be necessary to use a hand to support your baby's head as it's not possible to tighten them to hold your baby's position at the breast.
Stretchy wraps are slightly easier to use for feeding than woven ones as the flexibility of the fabric can make positioning easier. A wrap is great for virtually hands free feeding, I've seen mums on the school run feeding babies in their wraps while pushing a toddler in a buggy! As your baby gets older and longer it is harder to feed in a wraparound using the cradle position but many mums and babies manage to feed successfully in a more upright position once the baby is too long for the cradle hold.
A ring sling is also an excellent choice for long term breastfeeding because even quite long babies and toddlers can be positioned comfortably at the breast in a ring sling. Of the ring slings, the Maya Wrap or the Ellaroo Sling are the easiest to adjust precisely as they have no thick padding. This enables you to get your baby into exactly the right position at the breast leaving you hands free.
To enable you to breastfeed discreetly in a sling without flashing your tummy, front opening clothes, ones with a low neck so you can access the breast from above, or a nursing top can be useful.
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My baby is very heavy, what sling would you recommend?
If you are buying for a baby under 5 months old we would recommend any wraparound sling, the Close Baby Carrier, the Pikkolo or the Maya Tie. They spread the weight evenly across both shoulders, your back and your torso and are amazingly comfortable to use.
If you are buying for a baby 5 months or older a wraparound sling is still a good option. For much heavier older babies a woven wrap has a slight advantage over the stretchy wraps as it supports your back a little better.
Other great choices for a heavy baby of 5 months plus are the Patapum Baby Carrier, the Ellaroo Mei-Tai, the Pikkolo and the Maya Tie. These are extremely comfortable as they distribute the weight evenly across both shoulders and onto your hips. They can be used on the back once your baby is about 6 months.
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Which slings would you recommend for an older baby or toddler (6 months plus)?
Many of the slings sold at Little Possums can be used past 6 months and into the toddler years. Please see the question above for information about which slings are best for heavy babies.
If you are specifically looking for something for a toddler (18 months plus) then the The Patapum Toddler Carrier is very popular and works well even for pre-school age children.
Pouch slings and ring slings can still be very handy with older babies and toddlers. Although they don't distribute the weight quite as evenly as wraparounds and rucksack type carriers, as long as they spread well over your shoulder and across your back they can still be comfortable with an older baby. Pouches and ring slings are great for quick ups and downs with a toddler who likes to walk some of the time but come up for a cuddle or a carry now and then.
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I have problems with my back, which slings would be suitable for me?
If you are prone to back problems you should choose a sling which will distribute the weight as evenly as possible across both shoulders and your torso.
If you are buying for a newborn Wraparound slings are good for this, as is the Tricotti the Close Baby Carrier and the Pikkolo.
If you are buying for an older baby wraps are still very supportive but you could also consider the Ellaroo Mei-Tai or the Patapum. These structured carriers are also good for people with back problems as they distribute the weight onto your hips very effectively. For front carrying you should make sure that the sling is adjusted so that your baby is held nice and high on your chest and close into your body so that the weight is not pulling on your shoulders.
If you have back problems please be sensible. We would advise you to consult your GP or a qualified professional such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor if you are concerned about your back. If carrying is painful, listen to your body and try to give yourself a break.
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Is it possible to use a sling while recovering from a caesarian section?
Many women use slings successfully and comfortably after a c-section, most women who have a normal recovery find they can use a sling around 2-4 weeks after the operation. Any of the slings that are suitable from birth can be used after a section. If you are using a sling which ties around the waist you will want to tie it fairly high so that it won't press on your scar.
As with back problems, please be cautious about carrying your baby if you're recovering from a c-section. Consult your GP if you have any concerns. If it's uncomfortable or painful then leave it for a few days before trying again.
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I'm expecting twins - what sling could I use for them?
With newborn twins it's possible to put both babies in one ring sling - there is a video clip showing this on the Maya Wrap website here (no 11 in the list).
With older twins people tend to use two slings wearing one twin in each sling with one sling on each shoulder (shown in the same video clip). You can do this with any ring sling or pouch sling.
Also parents of twins will often have one twin in a sling and the other in their arms around the house.
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My partner and I are very different sizes - will be both be able to use the same sling?
Not necessarily. With pouch slings the sizing is very important and it's likely you would need different sizes. The standard sized ring slings do fit most people but if one of you is very large or broad you might need a large size.
The stretchy wraparounds such as the Kari-me or Cuddly Wrap will fit all shapes and sizes as they are very long and if you are small and slim you just wrap it around your waist an extra time before tying. The Ellaroo Wrap does come in different sizes but if you need a large wrap for the larger person, the smaller person can just have longer ends and tuck them out of the way.
The standard sized Wilkinet fits most people but extra long straps are available to special order if required. The Patapum baby and toddler carriers will fit most people but can be unsuitable for very tall broad people. There is a waist extension strap which comes free with the Patapum carriers.
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I want to be able to carry my baby and push my toddler in a buggy, which slings are suitable for this?
Wraparound carriers are great for this, as are the Wilkinet, Close Baby Carrier and the Pikkolo. All of these slings feel very secure allowing you to be confidently hands free to push the buggy. An unpadded or lightly padded ring sling will also work well as you can get it adjusted very snugly.
For carrying an older baby (5 months plus) and pushing a buggy the Patapum Baby Carrier, Ellaroo Mei-tai or The Maya Tie would also be excellent choices.
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I want a carrier that I can get on my back by myself, what would you suggest?
The Patapum Baby Carrier can be put on your back relatively easily on your own. See our photo instructions for how to do it! It does take some practice but once you've got the knack it's becomes second nature. You can use an adapted version of this for back carrying in a mei-tai too, again, it takes a little practice to get confident at this.
It is also possible to do a back carry in a Wraparound sling on your own but the learning curve for this is quite a bit steeper, see our photo instructions for details of one method of doing this.
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I want a sling that's really quick and easy to use, what would you recommend?
Most people find pouch slings are very quick and easy to use. Ring slings are also very quick to put on with just a little practice. For an older baby the Patapum and the mei-tai type carriers are very straightforward to put on the front. The back carry takes a little bit more time to master.
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My baby is over a year old - is it still worth buying a sling?
Definitely - of course we would say that! But loads of mums of older babies and toddlers use their slings nearly every day. Once you've got one you'll wonder how on earth you ever managed without it! Take a look at the advice above about choosing a sling for an older or heavier baby.
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My husband won't wear anything that makes him look too 'alternative', what would you suggest?
If you're buying for a newborn the Wilkinet Baby Carrier and the Pikkolo are both quite conventional looking and are available in some dark, neutral colours. The Coorie Fleece Pouch in the charcoal fabric is also a fairly safe bet.
If you're buying for an older baby the Patapum Baby Carrier is plain and functional looking - fairly similar to a rucksack. They are usually very popular with fathers who prefer something simple and plain looking.
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