Frugal Babywearing

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Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

Research has shown that premature babies and newborns who are held more are generally more content. They do not get sick as often, get more sleep, and spend less time crying. One study (reported in Pediatrics) that looked at the benefits of increasing time carried found that those babies whose parents increased holding and carrying time by about three hours a day were crying and fussing 43% less during the day and 51% less at night. Babies were also eating more often, and spending more time quietly alert.

Advocates of baby wearing recommend it for ease in nursing, hands free convenience, and the ability to meet baby's need to be held while still being able to get things done. It nurtures the bond between parent and child and allows the baby to see and be more a part of the world; better able to see other people and learn language and facial expressions. Also, due to increased plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) brought on by more babies spending extended time sleeping in car seats and other supine positions, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that babies spend minimal time in seating that maintains supine positioning (when not riding in a vehicle). Babywearing positions do not hold babies in a supine position.

Wikipedia articles referenced for this section: Babywearing, Kangaroo care and Baby Sling.

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Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

Slings are all variations on the basic act of wrapping cloth around our child to hold them securely against us. Some take simple to moderate sewing, others none at all. You can certainly buy one - or a few - if that's what you're most comfortable with. But with just over a yard to several yards of fabric, depending on the style, you could make your own. Wraps and the no-sew ring sling take no sewing skill. Regular ring slings, the Maya Wrap, and Rebozo take a little sewing knowledge. The Pouch Sling, Mei Tai, Onbuhimo, and Podaegi take the most, but still, all you need is the ability to sew fabric together and make a few seams.

Just how much material you need depends on your size: what feels secure and holds baby well. If you're a very tiny person, you won't need the upper ranges of fabric given for most styles. Trying a new style or pattern out using a very inexpensive fabric to see how it fits is one way to test what you need.

When making slings that use rings, be aware you cannot just use craft rings. You need the rings to be at least 4 gauge so one does not pop through the other, risking injury to your child. Sling Rings.com is among the top recommended sites to buy rings for slings. They sell aluminum and nylon rings in pairs at reasonable prices. They even come in fashion colors to match your fabric and personal style.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

You will need:
2 1/4 - 2 1/2 yards fabric
Two 3" sturdy metal or nylon rings. Metal rings need to be 4 gauge or more, for safety.
Minimal sewing skill and access to a sewing machine.

All you will need to do is fold the fabric, and sew one set of folds down around the rings. Hemming the sides is optional, depending on fabric width. For expert advice on fabrics and components, and excellent directions, visit MayaWrap.com

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

You will need:
2 - 2 1/2 yards fabric
Two 3" sturdy metal or nylon rings. Metal rings need to be 4 gauge or more, for safety.
Minimal sewing skill and access to a sewing machine.

Sling Me Mommy has instructions featuring the fabric gathered on the ring. Other patterns often recommend pleating which can be more complicated to sew. See Jan Andrea's pattern page at Sleeping Baby.net for examples, diagrams, photos, and detailed, experienced advice regarding materials.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

You will need:
One piece of fabric 24-35" wide, 80-90" long
Two 3" sturdy metal or nylon rings. Metal rings need to be 4 gauge or more, for safety.
No sewing skill needed.

The trick to these is that you're threading both sides, shoulder and tail, as opposed to just the tail as with other ring slings. Jan Andrea has written instructions, advice on materials, and safety tips at Sleeping Baby.net No-Sew.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

You will need:
2 yards fabric
Basic sewing skills and access to a sewing machine.

You can find detailed instructions, with step-by-step photos, at MyKarmaBaby. She even shows you how to add an optional pocket and a toy-ring.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

You will need:
2 - 2 1/2 yards of sturdy fabric
1/2 yard of polar fleece for padding the straps - optional
You will need basic sewing skills and access to a sewing machine.

Jan Andrea has a basic Mei Tai pattern with diagrams and detailed instructions at Sleeping Baby.net. She also hosts links to several variations of Mei Tai patterns, involving different methods and supplies, that you can check out and see which you like best. Some include more head support than shown in the amazon photo above. One of my favorites is the Mei Tai with interchangable panels, allowing you to create as many different looks for one Mei Tai carrier as you'd like, changing them in seconds.

There's another version at baypathleos.com made in more masculine colors and style, with detailed instructions and photographs. Features well padded straps and an optional pocket.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

Traditionally, an obi (sash) was used to babywear in Japan. In the 1940s use of the Onbuhimo became popular. An Onbuhimo has long top straps and a rectangular body, like the Mei Tai, but threads the long top straps through rings or loops at the bottom of the rectangle before tying in the front. Babies were worn on the back.

Leslie Hing Hing Kung at Make Baby Stuff.com shows us how she made an Onbuhimo using a placemat, a tablerunner, some accent fabric, and two sling rings. Alternatively, you could adapt the Mei Tai patterns above into an Onbuhimo style by adding loops of fabric holding the rings at the lower corners of the rectangular portion.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

The podaegi is a Korean wrap, traditionally a medium to large rectangle of quilted fabric, with a very long strap. The baby was worn on the back with the strap wrapping under baby's bottom and tying in the front.

You will need:
Basic sewing skills and access to a machine.
Fabric requirements are determined by your size and whether you're doubling the bottom portion or using a single layer.

Jan Andrea has detailed directions for an unquilted podaegi with a wide blanket at Sleeping Baby.net.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

For an authentic look you will need:
3 1/3 yards of fabric
perhaps some beads of choice for the fringe
Minimal sewing skill

Excellent, easy instructions and Rebozo history can be found here at Frugal Baby Tips.

Jump to:
Maya Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch Sling
Mei Tai
Onbuhimo
Podaegi
Rebozo
Basic Wrap

You will need:
Several yards of fabric, depending on what wraps comfortably for you.

Depending on your fabric and your preference, you may not need to hem it. You can even repurpose bedsheets with a lot of wear left for this. Cut it in half and you might have enough to make two. These are so simple you may not need instructions after you see the how-to-wear video below, but if you do, check out Make A Baby Wrap from MakeBabyStuff.com.