By Maura Keating
If you are new to baby wearing or just new to babies–if you find the rings, buckles, and straps of other carriers daunting or just too time consuming, a fitted pouch is a perfect solution to get baby on board quickly and easily. When my son was small, I found the mechanisms of a ring sling to be overwhelming. No matter how many times I watched the instructional DVD, I felt insecure. My husband still hasn’t figured out the ring sling–too many adjustments, he says. I wish I had tried a pouch when my son was younger, but I still find them useful for quick trips with my toddler in a hip carry.
Since fitted pouches don’t have buckles or other mechanisms to adjust size, getting a pouch with the correct fit for YOU is incredibly important. Unless you and your partner are the same size, this is not a carrier that you can share. Take the time to make sure that your measurements are correct–have a friend help if possible. Ideally, you should try on a pouch at a store where you can have a salesperson size you and give you a crash course in baby wearing. If you’re buying when you’re pregnant, post-partum, or online, make sure that the store has a reasonable return policy.
Hotslings and Peanut Shell pouches have more similarities than differences. I tested an Everyday Hotslings in a stretch sateen fabric and a Peanut Shell Reversible Baby Sling in a 100 percent cotton fabric. Both pouches must be folded before wearing. The Hotslings includes striped tabs that you can line up for a quick fold. Both slings feature a padded rail that is supposed to be easier on Baby’s knees for hip carries. My son has never had a problem with non-padded slings, but he seems to like the padding just fine too. The pouch on both is shallow–no pillow or towel needed for a cradle carry. Baby can see the world and the wearer can check in on Baby easily. The Peanut Shell seemed slightly deeper to our cradle carry tester, but we didn’t break out the yard stick. Both pouches are designed for high carries–the bottom of the pouch should hit somewhere around your belly button. Hotslings come in nine different sizes while the Peanut Shell comes in four sizes. Both fit comfortably around the wearer’s shoulder. The Peanut Shell is slightly narrower around the shoulder and I preferred the fit since I have narrow shoulders. For hip carries with a toddler, I flipped the fabric of the sling around my shoulder for a closer and more comfortable fit. Hotslings and Peanut Shell carriers can be used for cradle, kangaroo, or front, hip, and back carries.
The fabric options for both are dizzying–you’re sure to find a print that you like and probably one that you’ll love. Peanut Shell offers stretch cotton in prints and solids, organic jersey, 100 percent cotton reversible slings, and a stretchy micro-fleece (with no padding). Hotslings divides their fabric inventories according to designer, everyday, reversible, and organic. Fabric choices include 100 percent cotton, cotton with spandex for a bit of a stretch, and organic hemp/organic cotton/Lycra blend stretch twill. Maintenance is easy–you can machine wash them both. I found that the Peanut Shell shrunk a bit in the first wash, but it fit better afterwards. The Peanut Shell features a pocket–a huge boon for those of us who like to pack light. I really hate carrying a bag when I’m already carrying a baby. Both Hotslings and Peanut Shell have a toy loop, perfect for teething babies. It’s hard to bend over when you’re carrying a baby. The toy loop ensures that Baby’s pitching arm doesn’t send items too far.
The New Native Baby Carrier is designed to be worn lower than the Hotsling or Peanut Shell pouches. I tested the New Native Organic Cotton Baby Carrier. The New Native carrier does not need to be folded before wearing–the pouch is sewn into the design for an automatic fit. The New Native’s low design makes it somewhat easier to get Baby into the carrier and Baby never looks squished. The low position also made it easier to nurse Baby in the New Native Carrier. The pouch is very deep so Baby is secure and comfortable in cradle and kangaroo carry positions, but the low pouch also means that Baby can’t see out in the cradle position (sometimes a good thing) and sometimes the fabric fell over Baby’s face. Our tester found that her child needed more head support. New Native sells an “Infant Support Pillow,” but our tester used a rolled up blanket with good results. The lower carrying position hurt my back during long carries. The deep pocket makes it easy to keep smaller babies in the carrier when transferring Baby to a car seat or to another person. You can also position Baby in the New Native carrier first, and then put the carrier on. Our tester found it easy to take the carrier off and buckle Baby into the car seat with the carrier. At the end of the trip, our tester could slide the carrier back on and go. Baby slept through it all! The New Native carrier can also be used to carry twins up to fifteen pounds each (or total combined weight up to thirty pounds) in the same carrier.
I love the soft, organic twill fabric of the New Native carrier that we tested. It was soft but durable and washed very well–getting softer with each cycle. New Native carriers are available in five sizes in organic cotton, 100 percent silk (handwashing recommended) and 100 percent cotton. The pattern selection is more limited than other pouches, though I liked the look of the solid carrier lined with a print fabric. I could not get the hang of using the New Native carrier for hip carries with my toddler. My son is accustomed to ring slings and the deep pouch was uncomfortable for him and uncomfortable for me too. The New Native carrier can be folded in half for older toddlers, but that carry requires arm support from the wearer. The New Native carrier can be used for cradle, kangaroo, or front, hip, and back carries.
If you’re a busy minimalist with a strong sense of style and a toddler in tow, then you won’t be able to get out the door without the Puj Go Sling. Essentially a ring of fabric available in five sizes, the Puj Go Sling was the easiest pouch to slip on and the easiest to get Baby into. Baby does not have to sit at the seam, so I never had to stop to figure out where my son should be sitting. The top of the sling is easily identifiable since the top is partially lined on the inside. The top of the Puj Go Sling folds over your shoulder to create a figure-8 design that distributes Baby’s weight and snugs Baby closer to your center of gravity. The Puj Go Sling fits higher than other carriers (level with your belly button) and closer, too, for an intimacy that my son and I appreciated. The Puj Go Sling is designed for a hip carry and is recommended for babies fifteen to thirty pounds, from the time that Baby has head control (around six weeks) until Baby loses interest in the carrier. I loved the Puj Go Sling for its sheer convenience. It doesn’t take up much room in the diaper bag so it was always there, just in case. I also keep it close at hand around the house. My son always wants to be picked up when I am in the middle of something. With the Go carrier, I can get him settled quickly and continue what I was doing. This is not a good carrier for long walks with the dog or extended shopping trips. The Puj Go Sling starts to tug at my shoulders if I wear it too long. The contrasting Amy Butler fabrics used to construct the Puj Go Sling are gorgeous and fun and machine washable too. I do wish they had some fabric options that weren’t so girly since I think that this would have been a great sling for my husband to try.
After months of pouch wearing, I still reach for my ring sling on most occasions. I do use the pouch when I need to do something quickly or when the tail of the ring sling will get in the way of what I need to do–measuring flour into a bowl, for example. If I were wearing an infant, I think I might prefer the pouch, and then gravitate back to the ring sling as the child got older. But everyone is different. Your body shape is different from mine, and your needs are different too. If you are looking for a great intro to baby wearing, a carrier that is quick and convenient, or a lovely nest for a brand new bambino, then you might consider reaching for a pouch first.
The Details:
– Peanut Shell Baby Sling $48 – $72. To find a Peanut Shell near you, click on the “Store Finder” link at www.goo-ga.com.
– Hotslings, $30 – $60. To find a Hotslings near you, click on the “Store Finder” link at www.hotslings.com.
– New Native Baby Carrier, $44 – $160. To find a New Native carrier near you, click on the “Retail Outlets” link at www.newnativeinc.com.
– Puj Go Sling, $48. To find a Go near you, click on the “Store Locator” link at www.pujbaby.com.
Kido Deal:
– Peanut Shell is happy to extend a 25% discount to Kidoinfo readers. Please use code PEANUTKIDO at checkout to get the discount (code is case sensitive).
– Puj is offering FREE ground shipping to Kidoinfo readers by mentioning the promo code “kidoinfo”. Offer good until June 15, 2008.
Kido Giveaway:
Tell us what you love about the Puj Go Sling and we will randomly select one person to win a Puj sling of your choice. Contest ends June 15, 2008. CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
I loe the beautiful fabrics that this sling comes in.
So easy to take with you!
I love the variety of patterns!
I love that the pouch is easy to use and keeps the baby close.
The fabric choices are amazing. I love the bright, bold colors.
I also love how easy they look to use.
I love babywearing and am getting ready to have #2. I used a ring sling and an adjustable pouch last time and would love to try a pouch–especially one this fashionable. The fabric choices are great!
i like how the sling is designed to have newborns-infants…some of the other slings aare obviously made for older children
I would’ve loved a puj for my son but alas he’s now too big. I think this would be great for my new nephew- His momma could really use the ease and versatility of this sling!
inalak at msn dot com
I love that it is so easy to travel with! And the fabric choices are GREAT!
I love that you can be close to your baby, but have your hands free!
I love that it’s easy to use, easy to bring, and easy to stay chic! Simply love the fabrics & designs especially the Kate. Would love to win one with my baby due this fall 🙂
I like the simplicity of the design and the ease of use. The patterns are beautiful too.
I love that it’s easy to slip on and easy to get baby into – these are essential sling requirements for me!
It fits in your bag! So easy to always have it ready.
Oh I have been wanting one of these. The patterns are so cute.
I have a well worn Hotsling and would love a new one for my 4th baby due in Oct! I like the unique fabric prints and that the sling is available in 5 sizes.
Love the design and fabric!
I have been admiring these slings from Puj for a while now – my very favorite thing about them is the beautiful fabrics!! Thanks so much!
I love that the Puj Go Sling is actually designed for a hip carry with an older baby!
the contrasting fabrics are snazzy!
I love the fabrics and the ease of use with this sling! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win one for my 3 month old! Thanks!
I think they are beautiful and easy to use.
I love that it is very portable to carry when not in use, unlike some carriers, which are very bulky and take up a lot of room in tote bags or whatever.
What I love most about these slings are there vibrant colors and elegant style!
Cute fabrics and I love that it stores compactly in the diaper bag.
I like that it isn’t a lot of material so I can keep it in my diaper bag.
Stylish yet compact! Perfect for the on the go mom!
I like that it looks easy to use 🙂 I’d love to try it with the little one we are adopting from Russia!
heatherlbrandt (at) verizon (dot) net
My baby will be born in the summer and this sling is light weight and comes in so many cute designs.
UndKeineEier23@gmail.com
Love the patterns & I like that the pouch is sewn in, seems so much easier.
Thats cool that you could nurse the baby in it. Great giveaway, thanks!
All the beautiful fabrics! Also that it is so portable.
love the different colors as well as the ease of use. Thanks.
I love that it’s simple! I’m a new mommy and I also find the ring slings confusing. I love the colors too!
Love all the fabric choices-they are beautiful!!
I love the Puj Slings–the fabric choices are amazing, the sling looks super easy to use and stow, and I can use it with my bigger baby…totally awesome! 🙂
I love the awesome fabrics they’re made of!
I love how the PUJ slings are so beautiful, super portable and very easy to use. 🙂
Oh my gosh- what’s not to love?! The fabrics are great, the ease of use (throw it over your shoulder and go- no zippers, buckles, rings), it folds down to stay in your car for quick unplanned trips AND it’s easy to throw in the laundry. I am so sold. Fingers crossed to win!!
I love that it’s bright and colorful and can be folded into my diaper bag!
The materials these are made out of are so cute and non-baby-like. I love it!
I love the patterns, this would be like wearing a beautiful scarf as an accessory, plus a cute baby inside!
Love all the fabric shoices, especially the Heather.
The fabric combinations are lovely!
I love how easy it is to use — no confusing straps and buckles! And their fabrics are just gorgeous.
I love the ease of putting it on. No fuss.
I love pouch slings! I love their ease when you’re out running errands, etc.
I love their patterns and how easy it is to use!
I saw the video and I love that its so simple to wear. I am also not much of a fan of the buckles etc so this would be prefect. Thanks for the opportunity, I am due soon and would love to try this!
bvbabybv at gmail.com
I love that the designs and patterns are hip!! Way cute!
Eileen-Lilly(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love the fabric choices and that Baby sits higher up.
I love their choices and designs! Colorful and cute. Thanks!
Am I really the first? I love that it would fit in my diaper bag!