My Babywearing Life

Here is a free similar pattern to the pouch sling I first sewed. Pouch Sling Free Pattern Pouch slings are safe, they are not the bag slings that were recalled for safety issues. I made mine when my daughter was 4 months and it was perfect. Sleek design with no excess fabric. If you need a more detailed pattern or want one pre-made, here are some available on Amazon.

I started seeing ads for slings in Mothering magazine. I really liked the look of the Mayan Wrap. It was just like my sling but no padding and no sewed tail on the end. The fabric just flowed. Original Maya Wrap sewing pattern
I tried to sew one out of a loose cotton weave fabric from the dollar table at Walmart. I loved how the fabric gave around my daughter's legs and molded to our bodies. It was so easy to adjust, I could not ever go back to the difficult padded slings. I never bought an actual Mayan Wrap new, but I did get one in a consignment shop. I loved it.

I used slings from the second day my other 2 babies were born. I took them out of the bassinet and walked the halls with them in the sling. I had Caesarian Sections with all my children, so I was not on my feet yet the day they were born. This is a great sling to hold newborns securely in an upright position which is good for their digestion. I would hold the baby straight up, between my breasts, with their head near my neck and chin, then I would pull the top rail securely against their head. The bottom rail would be under their little diapered bottom and they would be snug and secure and could easily breath. Please see the video on proper infant positioning below. They were not scrunched up it the bottom of the sling. My husband and my mother would carry them around like this too.

I used a sling until my children were around 3 years old. When they were at the reaching stage, I would swing them around behind me when I had to do something I did not want them to touch. When they got to about 4 months old they really liked to ride forward facing. I would hold their back against me and lift their legs up, crossing them and slide them in bottom first. Then I would tighten the top rail up against their chest under their arms. They were snug and sturdy and ready to see the world. When they were toddlers I would use the hip carry with them. No matter how I was carrying them it was easy to gently loosen the top rail and tip them sideways to lay down and sleep with their head supported.
Putting a baby down while asleep was as easy as could be. I would loosen the sling while leaning over the crib, gently lay them down and remove the sling over my head. Then I would undo the sling and leave the baby asleep on the sling fabric.
All three of my kids fondly remember riding in their slings.

My daughters loved to carry their baby dolls in their own child sized slings. We buy them toy strollers and toy car seats, why not a sling just like mommy uses.