5,736 ReviewsBabywearing in the Fourth Trimester
by Beth Beaney, Executive Babywearing Consultant & Co-Founder, LTBN
Originally posted 15th August 2018. Latest update
Today I want to talk about the 4th trimester. Yep, those first few months after your baby's been born, when they're new to the world. You can carry them in a sling right from the beginning and the design of slings and carriers has progressed so much that there are many wonderful options to do so - including stretchy wraps, ring slings, buckle carriers, woven wraps, meh dais and half buckles.
So let's take a look, shall we?
1. Stretchy Wraps
A stretchy wrap can be tied at the start of the day and left on, with no need to re-tie. You'll find this very reassuring in the early days, especially as you adjust to being a new parent. You know where it is at all times and you can pop baby in and out as needed (like when you need to feed or change them).
Stretchy wraps all essentially perform the same function, they just vary to a degree in design, weight and breathability.
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2. Ring Slings
If you're reading this then you probably have a good idea that carrying your baby in arms and in a sling is essential to their normal physical, psychological and neurological development.
They feel more content and calmer next to you. You make them feel secure and safe. You are their world.
A ring sling is a wonderful option for the fourth trimester and beyond. Offering a single layer carry, without any fuss, a ring sling is light, easy to care for and can be used way beyond the fourth trimester; indeed well into toddlerhood.
A ring sling is basically a long piece of woven wrap fabric with 2 aluminium rings sewn into one end. The length usually ranges from 1.7m to 2m. Their small form factor means they are easy to take with you and fold up easily into a bag. They are absolutely fantastic, and have been a firm favourite here for the last 15 years.
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3. Woven Wraps
Woven wraps are similar to stretchy wraps in that they comprise one long piece of fabric with no buckles, fasteners or rings. Woven wraps can be tied in different ways for different carries. They differ from stretchy wraps in that woven wrap fabric is far more supportive. It has a slight diagonal stretch, making it firmer - supportive enough to hold a heavy toddler.
A woven wrap sling can work for all sizes and ages, from one-week old until your child grows out of being carried. You can adjust the sling to carry your baby in different ways as they grow and develop. Once you wrap it around, the sling holds your baby safely and securely in a way that promotes their development, is respectful to baby’s physiology and is healthy for their hips. Woven wraps can be tied for front, back and hip carries. If you've loved using a stretchy wrap for your baby, then a woven wrap will allow you to continue wrapping with a larger, heavier baby, toddler and child.
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4. Buckle Carriers
Buckle carriers have advanced to such a degree that many are now suitable from newborn. They tend to be supportive for baby and, as they have padded waist straps and shoulder straps, comfortable for you.
They tend to last well into toddlerhood and many are adjustable in the width and height - in this way, the carriers themselves grow with your growing baby.
The main advantage is that they are really straightforward and quick to use.
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5. Meh Dais
Meh dais are a super option for newborns as they offer all the softness and moldability of a wrap, but with some structure - a main panel with two pairs of straps. One pair ties around the waist, securing with a knot, and the other pair sits on the shoulders and crosses on the wearers back, tying either at the front, side or back. Super-adjustable for the wearer too, it offers a custom fit to every body.
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6. Half Buckle Carriers
Similar to meh dais, half buckle carriers have a buckle waist and wrap-strap shoulder straps. So it's easy to get adjusted on your waist, but offers much greater adjustability at the shoulders. Plus, you have all the comfort, softness, support and mouldabiliy of woven wrap fabric. This makes them great for carrying your newborn, and as they grow.
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