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Home » About The Huggababy Sling

The Huggababy Baby Carrier

The huggababy baby carrier was designed by a young Mum in response to her baby's refusal to be put down and determination to be carried constantly.  Margaret Hastings the huggababy designer carried her daughter everywhere, first in a front carrier and then in a backpack.  When Sarah was 10  months old, Margaret came across a sling whilst on holiday in America.  These slings are wonderfully simple and natural, being based on the way babies are carried in many traditional societies.  Margaret was an instant convert to the idea but didn't like the way they were designed so, she redesigned it to make her ideal baby carrier, patented her deisgn and launched the huggababy baby carrier in 1994.

Many people find that their huggababy becomes their most loved piece of baby equipment such as Martine,  editor at BabyCentre. http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/buyingforbaby/knowhow/martinesmusthaves/ and myself!  It is used for much of the day, every day, right from the birth of their baby until he/she no longer wants to be carried which may even be 2 or 3 yrs old (weightpermitting of course)! 

The huggababy had to be strong enough to allow such long-term, constant use without wearing out and with such use thinner slings will wear out in a matter of months.  The huggababy is designed and built to last the whole carrying period of a baby's life which also means you will never need to buy another carrier for your baby therefore making the huggababy baby carrier excellent value for money.

Strong and Comfortable Patented Design

Each huggababy is made from one piece of fabric that is folded in two at the rings so that the body of the sling where the baby rests, has double thickness fabric thus making it hard-wearing and strong.  The baby's weight, instead of putting a strain on the sling actually works to hold it together.  The shoulder pad provides comfort for the wearer and the padded sides provide comfort for the baby.

Quality 100% Cotton Fabric

Huggababies are made from a beautiful, high-quality 100% cotton twill.  Strong and hard wearing but light.

Strong Moulded Polypropylene Rings

The moulded rings are made of polypropylene in England and tested to hold upto 15kg/30lbs in weight.

Safe

The huggababy is wide enough to enclose a newborn securely and make a safe seat to sit your toddler comfortably on your hip whilst supporting your newborn baby's developing spine.

Machine Washable (of course)!

The padding is polyester so that the huggababy can be machine washed at 40 degrees.  To ensure the best quality the huggababy baby carrier is hand made in England to European Standard.

Why use a Sling to carry your baby?

More Versatile - a slide sling allows lots of different carrying positions (in the instructions we describe 6 postions) therefore as your baby grows the sling adapts so that you can carry a baby of any age from 2.5kg to 15kg.

Supports your newborn baby's developing spine -  a sling sling supports a baby from birth in a normal cradling position in front which places no strain on its immature back muscles.  Both Osteopaths and Chiropractors say that to ensure healthy development of the spinal curves it is best for a newborn baby to be in a horizontal position with its spine supported all along its length, as in a slide sling.

It's better for your back - a slide sling supports babies from 3 or 4 months on one hip, so that much of the weight is taken directly onto your pelvis, minimising back problems and causing much less strain than holding the baby with your arms.  You can carry quite heavy babies in this way without difficulty -  I didn't use a pushchair with Max until he was 18 months old, but carried him everywhere in his huggababy and I still used it occasionally until he was about 2.5 yrs old.

It's qick and very easy to use - a slide sling is basically a loop so to put it on you simply  put your head and one arm through the loop, cup your shoulder with the shoulder pad and then slide your baby in - it takes seconds and makes it ideal for use around the house. If your baby falls asleep in the sling he/she can be laid down without waking; just loosen the rings and carefully lift the sling  over your head placing bay and sling in the cot, using the sling as a blanket.

Discreet Breastfeeding - a slide sling allows you to breastfeed your baby easily in the sling, even on the move and with complete discretion in public.  Simply pull the top rail of padding upwards allowing you and your baby to feed comfortably and discreetly.  The baby can be moved from one side to the other without taking the sling off.

What the Professionals say....

"I recommend the Huggababy to the mothers in my classes.  I like it because it makes it so easy for mothers to hold and carry their babies as much as they both want.  I feel that it preserves the mother/baby couple in a way that's enjoyable for both"  Alice Charlwood - Active Birth Teacher.

"In front carriers, all of the wight is taken on the shoulders, which pulls you forward, so the lower back muscles have to work quite hard.  In the Huggababy, because some of the baby's weight is taken on the pelvic bone, there is much less strain on the lower back" Andrew Ferguson - Osteopath.

"I am happy to recommend the huggababy to other mothers" Kim McGloghre - Independent Midwife & Student NCT Teacher.

Until a baby can hold itself upright with ease, it is not a good idea for it to spend too long in a vertical position (as in a front carrier).  This causes the spine to collapse and the vertebrae to compress down.  I feel that the Huggababy, which supports a young ababy, in a horizontal position, is more natural.  It is better for both mother and baby and I wish I'd had one when my daughters were small" Refia Sacks - Alexander Technique Teacher & Independent Childbirth Educator

A correctly-used baby carrier's positioning should mimic how you would hold a baby in your arms. Here are some important guidelines to remember when wearing an infant:

Check to ensure that your baby is not curled up tightly in a chin-to-chest position; this compresses your baby's airway. Making sure there is a fingers' width or two between their chin and chest is a good guide.

Make sure your baby's back is straight and supported. Monitor your child at all times. Make sure nothing is obstructing their face. Be aware of how your movements affect the baby: avoid any bumping or jarring motions.

• Tight
• In view at all times
• Close enough to kiss
• Keep chin off the chest
• Supported spine

Hugg your baby Close enough to KISS in the huggababy sling xx