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Help Wearing a Maya Wrap Baby Ring Sling

posted by Sling Mamma
May 28, 2009

When the Maya Wrap or any baby ring sling is first purchased and used, it takes a little bit of time to learn how to use it.  When purchasing the Maya Wrap there is an instructional DVD but if you still tend to be having difficulty with putting it on properly then here are some tips that may help you.  If the sling tends to be to lose and not stay tight then making a few adjustments may correct some of the Maya Wrap problems you are having.  Here are three general problems that people usually have when trying to first wear the Maya Wrap Ring Sling or any other baby ring sling.

chocolate-cropped-for-ebayFirst, the Maya Wrap can not be twisted, the inside of the tail (the side next to your neck) can not be twisted at all; it needs to come across your back, hip and the top of your baby’s body without any twist.  Feed the tail through the rings making sure the tail is not twisted, after feeding them through the rings put the wrap over one shoulder with the rings in the hollow of your shoulder and then place your baby into your Maya Wrap Ring Sling.

Second, to position your baby where you want them to sit you need to hold your baby up high and then tighten the tail of the sling by pulling the tail across your body, do not pull down on the tail.  Then let go of your baby and they should be positioned where you want them sitting.  You want to wear your baby high and snug or your back may start to hurt.  Make sure your baby’s face is not really tight against your body, there needs to be a finger distance of room between your body and your baby.

Third, when putting your child into the sling their weight is what tightens the rings to hold the sling in place. If you need to tighten the sling after your baby is in the sling hold your baby up and pull the tail in front across your body, this will keep the sling positioned properly and will keep your baby snug and comfortable.

This will generally correct most Maya Wrap baby wearer problems that new parents tend to have.  If you still have problems with the Maya Wrap Baby Ring Sling here are some videos  to watch that may help you.

One of the Most Popular Baby Slings on the Market!

posted by Sling Mamma
May 19, 2009

One of the best made and most popular baby slings on the market is made by Maya Wrap.  They make a couple of different types of baby slings but the most popular by far is the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Baby Ring Sling.  They come in a variety of different colors but the most popular colors are Black, Olive Green and Bright Stripe they are hard to keep in stock.

Maya Wrap Baby SlingsAccording to the Maya Wrap website For 12 years, Maya Wrap baby carriers have consistently been rated the #1 must-have essential for new parents.   Here’s why:

  • Maya Wrap baby slings are stylish, comfortable, and fully adjustable.
  • Mom-recommended, they’re all you need to simplify your day. No more lugging strollers around, fiddling with buckles or snaps, trying to nurse discreetly, juggling a baby while helping an older child… just grab your Maya Wrap and get on with your life!

Join the ‘growing’ number of savvy parents and celebrities who have declared the Maya Wrap the baby product you can’t live without“!”

I know that Mom and Dad’s alike just love this Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Sling; it comes with an instructional DVD on how to use the ring sling and hold your baby in a number of different positions.  The lightly padded shoulder helps lighten the weight of your baby; making it more comfortable to hold your baby for longer periods of time.

Babywearing has become a ‘growing’ trend that Moms and Dads enjoy in keeping their little ones close.  Before it was a trend, Maya Wrap recognized the benefits of keeping your baby close in a baby sling during those first impressionable years! Here are some benefits of wearing your baby in a baby sling; this is research directly from the Maya Wrap website.

Less Crying - Babies who are carried cry less on average than those that are not. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours (1).

Smarter Babies - Babies spend more time in a “quiet, alert state” when carried - the ideal state for learning. When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people’s knees from a stroller.  This extra stimulation benefits brain development.

Emotional Development - Babies are able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s (2) and often become independent at an earlier age (3)

Physical Development - By being close to your body’s rhythms, baby “gets in rhythm” much more quickly. Research has shown how this helps newborns (especially premature babies) to adapt to life outside the womb (4).

Helps with Post Partum Depression - Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you’re there. Moms who may suffer from Post Partum depression will find that carrying their baby is a great way to connect with her (and provide stimulation too) without the “burden” of having to interact (5). Of course your baby is “right there” to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling, kissing or talking. This is by no means a cure or solution for Post Partum Depression, always seek counsel from your physician first.

Eases the strain - Carrying your baby in a sling eases the strain on baby’s spine and your back!”

Let the research show that Maya Wrap baby slings can benefit you and your baby.  Maya Wrap being the most popular choice because they know that they are made well and comfortable for you and your baby!

1.        Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.

2.        Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Nozyce, M. and Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61, 1617-1627.

3.        Whiting, J. W. M. (1981). Environmental constraints on infant care practices. In R. H. Munroe, R. L. Munroe & B. B. Whiting (Eds.), Handbook of cross-cultural human development, New York: Garland STPM Press.

4.        Ludington-Hoe SM, Swinth JY. (1996). Developmental aspects of kangaroo care. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 25, 691-703.

5.        Pelaez-Nogueras M, Field TM, Hossain Z, Pickens J. (1996). Depressed mothers’ touching increases infants’ positive affect and attention in still-face interactions. Child Development, 67, 1780-92.

(Credit: The Babywearer)

Baby Wrap Sling

Baby wraps are usually called wraparounds or wraparound slings, and they wrap around both mom and baby.  These wraps are much different from the other two type of baby slings, it is usually 5 to 7 yards of material and wraps over both shoulders and around the body and then ties in front or back.

It is a very versatile wrap in that your baby can be in the front, on your hip, or on your back.  Another benefit is that there is no limit in the amount of time the baby can stay in the wraps.  There is no pressure on the baby because they are comfortably held close to your body.  There is a little bit of a longer learning curve in learning how to use the baby wrap, but it is not difficult if you follow the directions with your wrap. Another draw back may be that your baby is snuggled close to your body it can get hot holding your baby in a warmer climate.

Baby Wraps are usually made out of two different types of material, stretch or woven.  The stretchy wraps are generally made out of jersey or knit; it is easy to pop babies in and out of the stretchy wraps.  Woven natural fibers such as 100% cotton tend to have a little less stretch which is beneficial as your child gets a little larger and heavier.  Woven fabrics like homespun or hand woven cotton is by far the most commonly used material. These fabrics allowing the baby wrap to form more to the baby’s body therefore provides some give and diagonal stretch for comfort.

There are many different types of  baby sling the ring sling, pouch sling and the baby wrap.  If you are in the market for a baby sling these blogs over the last four days may help you narrow down the choices of which baby sling will work the best for you and your baby.

Baby Pouch SlingPouch sling are often called “tube”, “pocket” or “ringless” slings, they are generally formed by a wide piece of fabric sewn into a tubular shape.  There is also a seat that is sown into the fabric so that the baby sits into it properly.  Sometimes these pouches are adjustable by zippers, buttons, Velcro and clips, these types of baby slings are usually called “hybrids”.  Pouch slings are easy to slip over the head and it takes no time to learn how to use the pouch baby sling.

A properly fitted pouch sling is great for babies and children that need to be taken out of the sling often and put back into the sling.  It is great for an older child that wants to be carried but is kind of heavy, and for babies of any size.  The convenience is that as with a ring sling it does not need to be adjusted.  Make sure when you order a pouch sling that you measure so it fits properly, that is one of the most important factors in having a pouch sling.

Some disadvantages are as with most one-shouldered slings, pouches are not suited for long wearing of heavy babies, the weight distribution can be asymmetrical and create back pain for you the mom or dad.  As I stated earlier the better a pouch fits, the more evenly the weight is spread across the shoulder and back.  The fabric that is used can also effect how comfortable it is to carry your child, look for a cross diagonal weave and fabric that is breathable.  Sometimes as your baby grows bigger your child may sit lower on your hip, in which case a ring sling may be more useful for a longer period of time.

I am not going to tell you one baby sling is better then the other, but you need to see the advantages and disadvantages to decide for your self.  Check back for tomorrow to learn more about the benefits of the Baby Wrap type baby sling.