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Worth knowing: Frequently asked questions

Here you can find frequently asked questions about carrying.

When can I start to carry my baby in a sling?

In principle, from the first day onwards as long as no illnesses or physical handicaps are apparent. If this is the case, please discuss carrying in the sling with your doctor or physiotherapist.

For how long can I carry my baby in a sling?

You can carry your baby for as long as both you and your baby enjoy it. Babies will make sure you know it if they don't want to do anything any more, and you will notice yourself when you have had enough. Women who have just given birth should, however, start carrying babies for short periods only and increase the time gradually, so that the pelvic floor or the caesarean scar can be treated gently directly after the birth. As long as both you and your baby want to, you can carry using the sling for up to three years (or even longer if required).

Can I start to carry using the sling if my baby is already a little older?

Of course!! Sometimes you might find that your baby needs to get used to the new feeling of confinement. This may take a little patience from both sides. You should also increase the carrying time slowly in this case. The later you start, the heavier your baby is, and your own musculature needs to get used to the new weight distribution gradually.

What should I pay attention to when carrying?

a) You should only use a good quality sling - diagonal elasticity in the case of woven slings, double-stitched edge seams, tested for harmful substances.

b) Choose a colour which you like/suits you, because a sling is also a fashion object and should match the rest of your clothing and your character. Otherwise, it could soon end up in the corner or in the cupboard.

c) The sling should be tied tightly enough so that you do not have the feeling that you need to support or hold your baby additionally with your hands.

d) You should only use the tying variations which correspond to the stage of your baby's development, and from these only those which you and your baby enjoy.

e) If you have decided to carry using a sling "instinctively", then you should continue to follow your inner voice and not let yourself be led astray by the lack of knowledge or prejudices shown by others.

How and where can I learn about tying the sling?

Firstly with the assistance of our carrying instructions, which is supplied with every HOPPEDIZ® Baby Sling. All the normal methods of tying are extensively described and illustrated. You will always have to have a few tries before tying is completely successful.

The second way is to attend a carrying course held by a qualified carrying adviser. Click here to see a list of carrying advisers in your area! (for Germany)

From what point on can I carry my child in various tying styles?

We do not state any guidelines for a specific number of months or weeks for individual tying variations, because every baby has its own very individual development rhythm. Some babies can, for example, only hold their head upright after 5 months, and some can do it after only 3 months. For this reason, we have divided up the carrying methods as follows (assuming there are no illnesses or physical handicaps apparent):

The art of carrying starting from birth onwards
Carrying methods for when baby can hold its head by itself
Carrying methods for when baby can sit by itself
Carrying methods for when baby can hold its head by itself - for experts

We would also like to state briefly that not every baby feels comfortable in every variation, and would therefore advise you simply to try out the variations described and then only use the ones with which both you and your baby feel comfortable.

Which sling size is suitable for me?

The size of the sling is dependent on the size and weight of the person doing the carrying. It does of course make sense for the sling to fit the person who will be wearing it most best.

If, for example, a woman is less than 1.75 m in height or 70 kg in weight, but her partner is much taller and heavier, you don't necessarily need the maxi sling. The maxi sling is probably only worth considering if the partner really does do a lot of carrying. Otherwise we recommend the long sling (approx. 4.60 m). Even a large man (for example 1.95 m / 95 kg) can still tie the sling in the simple cross-carry or the simple rucksack-carry styles.

Click here for more information about sizes and prices.

Will the baby get enough air in the sling?

Yes, if you ensure that your baby's nose is free and that it is able to get enough "fresh" air. Your movements will also cause the air within the sling to circulate and provide replacement of fresh air. It is also important not to overdress babies in the cloth, and maybe also under a jacket, because babies suffer more from overheating than freezing.

For more information about the subject, you can also read the "Cologne study" on oxygen assimilation of premature babies in a baby sling - a study made by the University of Cologne. During the study, it was discovered that a newborn baby's oxygen intake is only approximately 1% less in a sling than it is without a sling. This is because a baby in a baby sling is much quieter and can breathe in a more relaxed way.

Does sling carrying cause damage to the back (both baby and mother)?

For almost 10 months, the baby's spinal column is curved in the mothers womb. First it needs to straighten out slowly (between one and two years) to attain the S shape of an adult. This is why the baby's back needs to be slightly rounded inside a taut sling (due to the spread-squat position). This is most certainly better for the baby than a position where the back is lying straight and is "stretched", or even takes up a hollow position due to badly positioned carry belts or aids.

An infant's spinal column goes through the following stages to obtain its S-bend form:

a) The cervical vertebra stretched upwards or outwards as soon as the baby can hold its head upright.

b) The thoracic vertebra stretch when the baby can sit by itself.

c) The lumbar vertebra carry the baby when it begins to pull itself up against objects, or starts to stand and walk.

Cultures which still carry their babies for most of the time suffer considerably less back problems than we do. I carried Jan, our son, after he was 2 weeks old although I myself have a relatively serious curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Since my back and stomach musculature gradually got used to Jan's increasing weight, my carrying duties could be almost compared to back training. During the times in which I carried Jan regularly, I had fewer back problems or pain.

If, however, you have acute back problems such as a slipped disc or similar, you should always consult your orthopaedic specialist or physiotherapist in any case before carrying.

Am I spoiling my child if I carry it too often?

No! You cannot possibly spoil a small child who is only able to get your attention by crying (contact crying) if you carry it. The need for nearness, contact and security is one of our basic requirements and should be quite simply and naturally satisfied.

When our children start to crawl or walk, at the latest, they may not want to be carried in the sling so often. Their natural thirst for movement and discovery becomes stronger, and it is of course much more exciting for them to go off discovering things on their own.