Why mighty mamas like to wear their babies

Babies worn in slings are happier. Studies have shown that the more babies are held, the less they cry and fuss. In indigenous cultures where baby-wearing is the norm, babies often cry for only a few minutes a day – as opposed to Western babies, who frequently cry for hours each day. Crying is exhausting for both baby and his parents, and causes much stress in new families. Babies who are not wasting their energy on crying are calmly observing and learning about their environment. Baby-wearing is particularly useful for colicky or "high needs" babies who are far happier being worn, but even the placid, content child will benefit from the warmth and security of being held close.

Baby-wearing is good exercise for you! It's hard to find time to exercise when you are a new mother, but if you carry your baby around with you most of the day or go for a brisk walk with your baby in her sling, you will be doing your body good. A long walk in the sling is also an excellent way to put a child to sleep.

Toddlers appreciate the security of the sling. Many people associate slings with infants, but they are very useful for toddlers as well (most slings accommodate children up to 13 kg). The world is often a scary place for toddlers, so they feel more confident when they can retreat to the security of the sling when they need to. Toddlers are also prone to becoming over-stimulated, and a ride in the sling helps to soothe and comfort them before (or after!) a melt-down occurs. It is also very practical in places like the zoo or aquarium, where a small child in a stroller would not be able to see very much.

Baby-wearing helps you and your baby communicate better with each other. The more competent you feel as a parent, the more you can relax and enjoy your child. And a large part of feeling confident in your parenting is being able to read your baby's cues successfully. When your baby is held close to you in a sling, you become very sensitive to each other's gestures and facial expressions. Many baby-wearing parents report that they never learn to distinguish their baby's cries (as mainstream parenting books say they should) – because their babies are able to communicate effectively without crying! Each time your baby is able to let you know she is hungry, bored or wet without crying, her trust in you is boosted and your confidence in yourself as a parent is reinforced. This positive cycle of interactions builds upon itself, enhances your mutual attachment, and makes life more enjoyable for everyone.

Slings are a bonding tool for fathers, grandparents and other caregivers. Slings are a useful tool for everyone in baby's life. It makes me smile every time I see a dad going for a walk with his baby in a sling. Baby is becoming used to his voice, heartbeat, movements and facial expressions and the two are forging a strong attachment of their own. Fathers don't get the automatic head start on bonding that comes with gestation, but that doesn't mean they can't make up for this once baby is born. The same goes for babysitters, grandparents and anyone else the baby comes into contact with. Cuddling up close in the sling is a wonderful way to get to know the baby in your life, and for the baby to get to know you.

Slings are a safe place for a child to be. Instead of being pushed along the street inhaling exhaust fumes in a stroller or running around loose in a busy parking lot, a child in a sling is held safe and secure right next to your body. Slings also provide emotional safety, so that children can venture into the world and become independent at their own pace.

Slings save you money. Apart from being easy to use, slings cost far less than those big boat-like strollers, designer front-carriers or baby backpacks. In fact, once you start using one you'll probably find it among your most useful and economical possessions. Not bad for an item you'll end up using daily for at least a couple of years...

It's fun to wear your baby. Who doesn't love to cuddle a downy-headed, sweet-smelling little baby? And when your baby is older, having her in the sling makes conversations easier and allows you to observe her reactions to the wonders of the world around her. It's also fun for baby, because when she is up at eye level, other adults notice and interact with her a lot. Your child will feel more a part of your life when she is in her sling, and you will find yourself becoming more and more enchanted with your special little person.

Why a Mighty Mama Sling..

It’s easier to understand babywearing when you think of a baby’s gestation period as lasting eighteen months – nine months inside the womb and at least nine months outside.

During the first nine months the womb environment regulates baby’s systems automatically. Wearing your baby close and letting her feel your heartbeat and that familiar rhythmic walking that she knows so well from those first months inside, will help her make sense of the outside world much faster.

The appeal of baby carriers is that they free up your hands to get things done. Unfortunately many modern varieties on the market are complicated, cumbersome and aren’t very comfy.

The Mighty Mama sling is different … taking the wisdom of the African Mama who carries her baby in a sling type carrier that looks like part of her outfit, the sling is safe, comfortable for the carrier and for baby and is versatile — you can use the same sling from birth until 2 years and can carry baby in a variety of positions. The Mighty Mama sling is easy to use—you can adjust the sling with one hand with baby inside it and safely slip a sleeping baby out of the sling without disturbing the child. It is also ideal for breastfeeding baby discreetly.

Reasons to get yourself a Mighty Mama sling

Comfortable to wear
A baby carrier must be comfortable for both baby and carrier and this is what we’ve aimed to achieve with our Mighty Mama slings. The baby’s weight is distributed evenly across the adult’s shoulders and hips and places no strain (when worn correctly) on the back and neck.
We have padded our slings on all pressure points for extra comfort; where the edges of the sling press into the baby’s torso and legs and along the shoulders of the wearer. The tail has been sewn shut for an easy grip and

Easy to use
It is a well known fact that if something is too awkward and time consuming to use, we won’t bother with it! With this thought in mind we have made our baby sling in such a way that it can be adjusted with the baby inside it, single-handedly, without disturbing the baby. It is also designed in such a way that you can easily slip it off while your baby is sleeping.
When you carry your baby in a sling, you can walk around freely and not have to worry about negotiating steps, crowds or narrow aisles with a stroller. Plastic "baby buckets" are heavy and awkward for parents and they sure don't look too comfortable for the baby being swung around at knee level!

Handy for nursing moms

For mothers who breastfeed, the sling is the ultimate blessing! You can carry your baby close to you at all times and nursing is very discreet. There are no buckles or straps in the way. When your baby is fussy or hungry your can quickly latch him on and he can drift off to sleep while in the sling. Very handy for those inopportune times when you can’t find a private, quiet place to nurse your baby or when you can’t sit down!!

Versatility

Our sling is such a practical accessory because it can be used from birth to at least two years of age. It can also be used in a variety of other ways. Try using yours as a changing mat, a travel blanket, a safety belt for sitting in shopping trolleys or restaurant high chairs, as a shade cloth, a pillow,… be creative!

Sling wearing - great for baby, great for you!!

Having your hands free, discreet breast-feeding and not having to lug around heavy baby seats and prams is just ‘the cherry on top’ when it comes to the benefits of carrying your baby in a sling.

The one who benefits most is the little one who is being carried! Benefits include:
v Womb-like warmth and a close proximity to mom.
v Soothing movement helps baby sleep with ease.
v Babies who suffer from reflux and wind benefit from being carried in upright position
v Easily distracted babies find quiet containment in being in the sling and therefore will find it easier to nurse.
v Being at eye level with everything happening around him will help baby learn and internalize his new world more intently.

DUBIOUS? The most frequently asked questions about sling wearing …

Baby looks all scrunched up – surely it’s not comfortable?
Babies are used to being ‘scrunched’ up in the womb, and enjoy the secure feeling of being curled up in the sling — just be sure that baby’s chin is not pressed to his chest and that his face is not pressed tightly against your body. Remember to position baby with head and toes to the rails and not lying between the rails as one would in a hammock!
I have tried to wear a sling, but find it quite uncomfortable?
Make these checks – you’re bound to come to a comfy conclusion.

Check ring position — most people find it more comfortable to wear the rings as high up as possible.
Check the shoulder pad is positioned squarely on your shoulder — do not allow it to ride against your neck or too far forward or back.
Check how the sling fabric lies across your shoulder — the goal is to spread the weight evenly across your shoulder. Do not allow the material attached to the pillow on your shoulder to fan down over your arm, restricting your arm movements —keep this material folded back over the pillow.
Check how the sling fabric lies across your back — spread the back of the sling as widely as possible. The more you spread it, the less strain you will feel. Spreading it as low as possible is the key - even a small amount can make a lot of difference to your comfort.
Check how high you are carrying baby — the higher you carry your baby, the more comfortable you will be.

Is it worth buying a sling – surely I will only get use out of it for a short time?
Very! Slings are suitable carriers for babies from birth until 2 years of age. They also have a whole lot of other uses… Try using yours as a changing mat, a travel blanket, a safety belt for sitting in shopping trolleys or restaurant high chairs, as a shade cloth, a pillow… Slings are also very handy for sharing the load when you aren’t carrying baby, but have more to carry than what you can manage with your hands!

Be creative – slings wearing really is fun!