Make Your Own Baby Sling
Make your own baby sling and treat yourself to a
beautiful homemade sling, that suits you perfectly. It is
not too
difficult and, using a free baby
sling pattern, makes an inexpensive
option. Of
course always check the
safety guidelines below to carry your baby safely.
It is quite doable to make your own baby sling.
photo
courtesy by tsuacctnt
If you can sew a bit,
and have some patience, you're off to a great start.
What you need:
a
baby
sling pattern, a piece of cloth, thread. If you are
making a ring sling you will need one or more rings too.
If you haven't decided which one will be best for you, discover the
different
types
of baby slings.
Then find the (free) baby
sling pattern of your choice to get started.
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Advantages of making your own baby sling
- The
cost: unless you buy a very expensive fabric, you can make
a quality sling for a better price than when buying.
- The
look: you choose the design, colour and fabric to make
your own baby sling that suits you best. Many moms wear their slings
quite often so it actually becomes a fashion accessory so you might
just make sure it fits your outfits.
- Customised:
you can customise your sling and add little extra's like a small
toy pocket or a string loop for a pacifier.
- The
reward: unless you don't like crafting at all, what more
rewarding than carrying your baby in your own homemade sling?
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Homemade baby sling safety guidelines
As with any sling or baby carrier, it is very important to
make sure
the sling is safe for your baby and for you. Baby must be
well tucked
without danger of falling out or getting stuck in an unhealthy
position. For you the sling must ergonomical so that it does not harm
you back, neck or shoulders.
Safety guidelines:
- Your
size: the sling should be your size: not too small and not
too large to ensure a well-fitting baby 'seat' for your baby.
- Baby's
size: the size and type of the sling must fit baby well.
Check the table here
to pick the right sling type for your baby's size too.
- Fabric
and sewing quality: The fabric should be strong enough to
endure daily baby wearing and can be stretchy but not too much. The
thread you use must be of excellent quality (à la Gütermann) and be
tightly sewn. Once in use, regularly check for wear and tear.
- Well
wrapped: once your sling is finished, make sure you always
wrap or knot it carefully, following the instructions for your specific
type of sling.
- Rings:
the ring(s) used in a ring sling must be safely attached. They must
also be the right quality - designed to carry heavy loads -
and made specifically for use in a sling.
Check the overview of
free
baby sleep pattern resources online to get started.
To make your own baby sling can be a
fun and rewarding
and gives you
all the
benefits of baby wearing as well as great help with
guiding your baby to sleep, using
the
Baby Sling Trick ...
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