Baby Carrier Design Features

 To help you choose your options, I have compiled a visual library of all the different design elements that go into a Pouchlings baby sling.
SHOULDER STRAPS 
Single layer Wrap Straps:

- These are approximately 30cm wide and are a single layer of fabric. They can be worn spread over the shoulder and the baby's bum, or bunched up.

- Best for wearer's who are used to wrapping and like wide straps or who don't like padding.

- Wrap Straps come as standard on Pouchlings' Wrap fabric MT's and HB's and on Basic Wrap Conversions.


Padded Mei Tai straps:

-These are two layers of fabric stitched together all the way down to the tip. They are 4" wide and 2.15m long. 
They are generously padded for the first 15" from where they leave the body of the carrier. 

- Best for wearer's who need padding at the shoulder but who don't want a lot of extra fabric to deal with towards the ends of the straps.

- All Pouchlings  Cotton twill MT's and HB's come with Padded MT straps. 
- They are also available as an Extra Option on Wrap Conversions.
"Hybrid" straps:

- A combination of the first two strap types with padding at the shoulders and a full wrap-width single layer further down. Best for wearer's who need a padded shoulder but could benefit from having extra fabric to spread under baby's bum, giving more support.
They come in two different styles:

#1: "Maya" - Padded-to-Wrap:
These are 4" wide and padded for the first 15". Then they flare out to a single layer of fabric approx 30cm wide which can be spread wide over baby's bum and thighs.

#2: "Evie" - Padded wrap straps:
These have a padded area approx 4" wide and 15" long but also have a single layer of fabric that spreads outwards to cup the shoulder and secure the strap in place. Then they flare out to a single layer of fabric approx 30cm wide which can be spread wide over baby's bum and thighs.
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- Available  as an extra option on Pouchlings own Wrap Fabric MT's and HB's and also as an extra option on Wrap Conversions.
Buckle Shoulder straps:

Standard straps:
- These are 16" long, 4" wide and close by means of a 38mm Dual Adjustable buckle. They come as standard on Pouchlings'  Cotton twill Full Buckle carriers and as a size option for Wrap Conversions.

"Adjustable" buckle shoulder straps with Perfect Fit Adjusters (PFA's) 

These straps are 16" long and 4" wide but they can be shortened down to 12" by means of a 25mm webbing and ladder-lock fitting also known as "Perfect Fit Adjusters"

- PFA's are recommended if the carrier is to be shared between two very different sized wearers. They also give that extra bit of adjustability in front carries as they can bring baby in closer to the body.

- Classic PFA's can be adjusted in a front carry or before the carrier is put on.

- Reverse PFA's can be adjusted in a back carry so are recommended for Onbus or if the carrier will mostly be used for back carrying.
Adjustable length shoulder straps with Classic Perfect Fit Adjusters

Waistbands

       Unstructured or "apron-style" Waistbands
  (Mei Tais, Half Buckles and Full Buckles):

- A completely un-padded waistband which is merely an extension of the body panel.

- This style of waistband is designed to be worn folded up against the wearers tummy or back to form a pocket for the baby's bum.

- Mei Tais have two 65cm long fabric ties on each side, and buckle carriers have two 65cm lengths of webbing and a 38mm Dual Adjust buckle. The ties/webbing exit from the bottom edge of the carrier so that it can be rolled up to shorten the body panel according to your child's size.

- Unstructured waistbands come as standard on all  Pouchlings' apron-style FB's, HB's and MT's and on Basic Wrap Conversions.




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Integrated Cinch Strap
An integrated cord across the seat of the carrier which cinches the seat of the carrier narrower by approximately 3"-4"
​Can be added to any carrier with an unstructured waistband.
Rollable, apron-style waistband
Apron-style waistband with integrated width cincher
"Fixed" Structured waistband with seat darts
Structured waistbands with Seat Darts
(Full Buckles, Half Buckles Meh Dais):

- This style of waistband, is designed to be worn bottom edge down on the wearer's abdomen or lower back in a traditional SSC style.
- The "fixed" waistband is slightly curved so it conforms snugly to the shape of the  wearer's hips.
The filling is a closed cell polyurethane with has a rubbery feel so it it firm but not un-forgiving.
If Width Cinchers are added, the width can be adjusted by an inch or two on each side so as to not over-stretch baby's legs.

- The "sliding" waistband is straight, rather than curved. It is made from foam which is firm but soft. 
The sliding mechanism allows the width of the carrier to be adjusted over two carrier sizes.

Structured waistbands are paired with seat darts which shape the body panel and give baby a good deep seat.
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"Fixed" Structured waistband with seat darts and width cinchers
 "Sliding" Structured waistband with seat darts and width cinchers
Soft Semi-structured (fleece) waistband
Mei Tais, Half Buckles, Full Buckles):

- 5" wide waistband which is made from 3 layers of soft fleece, strengthened with top-stitching. The width of this waistband makes it supportive but it is also soft and squishy so it moulds well to the wearer's body.
- This type of waistband can be combined with seat darts to give a deeper seat or it can be added to a flat body panel if you prefer baby's seat to be closer to your body.

- Both styles can be combined with integral width cinchers.

_ The Semi-structured waistband can also be combined with extra padding under the buckle and webbing on a Half Buckle or Full Buckle carrier.
Semi-structured waistband with extra padding under the buckle and webbing
Ring Waist with wrap strap tie:

- A waistband made up of two coloured Sling Rings on one side and a single-layer, 1.15m long and 20cm - 30cm wide, wrap strap style tie on the other side. The strap is threaded through the rings like a Ring Sling and tightened by pulling. 
- It can be paired with either rollable, apron-style waistband or with a wide semi-structured waistband.
- A ring cushion can be added for comfort but it will limit the direction the waistband can be worn - ie either bottom edge up ("apron-style"), or bottom edge down ("SSC style"), but not both.

- Available on Wrap Conversions only.
Ring Waist with no buckle cushion
Ring Waist with buckle cushion
Wrap strap style waist:

- two single-layer waist ties, each approximately 70cm long and 20cm wide, pleated at insertion into the body of the carrier.
- Can be paired with either a soft or firm waistband. 

- Available on Wrap Conversions only and, depending on other design details, may require a longer wrap.

- Recommended only for Reverse Half Buckles  where the straps can be spread over the wearer's chest as a chest belt.

Headrest and Sleep Hoods

Self-supporting Headrest:

- A 9cm high, lightly stiffened and padded headrest that supports baby's head when sleeping or can be flipped down when baby wants to look around or ride with arms out.

- Comes as standard on all In-stock "Classic" carriers or as an extra option on Wrap Conversions.
Flat Sleep Hood:


- A simple hood measuring 25cm x 35cm.
Use for supporting the head of a sleeping baby or giving protection against bright sunlight, wind, rain etc.

- Available on Wrap Conversions or on In-stock carriers on request.
Adjustable Sleep Hood:

- A longer sleep hood which can be formed into a "cup" shape to mold around baby's head, by cinching up the hood ties. 

- Use for supporting the head of a sleeping baby or giving protection against bright sunlight, wind, rain etc.

- An Extra Long Adjustable hood can be helpful if your baby sleeps with their arms out of the carrier.

- Comes as standard on In-stock Hooded Carriers or as an extra option on Wrap Conversions.
Standard Adjustable hood
Extra long Adjustable hood
Elf Sleep Hood:

- A "Hoodie" style sleep hood - good for older babies who are used to having their heads covered. 
Use for supporting the head of a sleeping baby or giving protection against bright sunlight, wind, rain etc.


- Available as an extra option on Wrap Conversions and on In-stock carriers  on request.
Character Hood:

- Elf hoods can be customised with various styles of ear, dino spikes and artwork. These are available on Wrap conversion carriers and Custom cotton carriers.
















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Short Wizard Hood/Long Merlin Hood:
- Very similar to an Elf Hood but with a longer tip which gives it a decidedly "magical" appearance.
​- This hood requires more fabric than the others so will be available subject to wrap length.

Other features

Leg Padding, Seat darts and Side buckle Cushions:

- Leg padding softens the edges of the carrier which can be more comfortable for older babies. 
- Not recommended on the "Baby" size carrier if you want to roll the waistband up to shorten the body.

- Comes as standard on all Pouchlings' In-stock carriers

- Available as an Extra Option on Wrap Conversions.


- Seat Darts turn the base of the carrier body into a concave shape to create a deeper seat for the baby. This can help with centering the baby's bum in the carrier but some wearers may find that it takes the baby further away from their body, making them feel heavier - definitely a case of personal preference.

Seat Darts come as standard on all carriers with a SSC waistband or as an extra option with semi-structured waistbands.
- Side buckle cushions are small cushions underneath the buckles at the side of the carrier body for extra comfort. Do not order if you want the carrier to be reversible.

- Both these features are available as an Extra Option on Wrap Conversions only.
Hood Tie and Toy Loop:

- The hood tie is made up of two small ties, one on either side of the hood which are used to secure the hood when it is rolled up. 
Once rolled up, the hood can be used as extra neck support for a small or sleeping baby. They are also usefull if there is a lot of artwork on the body of the carrier that would otherwise be hidden by the hood.

- Available as an extra Option on Wrap Conversions.
- A Toy Loop is a small loop of fabric sewn into the carrier where the shoulder meets the body. It is useful for securing small items such as teething rings, taggies, Slingamejigs  etc

- Available on Wrap Conversions only.

Chest Belts

Single loop chest strap:
- A single loop of webbing or wrap fabric which is passed between the straps and the sternum before being buckled closed.
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PROS: can also be used as a cinching belt or to keep the carrier folded.
CONS: is easier to lose as it isn't automatically connected to the carrier.
Can not be used to fasten straps "H" straps behind the back.

- This will be made from 25mm webbing with a 25mm buckle, or as a 1.25" wide wrap fabric strap with a 38mm buckle.
Double loop chest strap:
- Two separate pieces of either webbing or wrap fabric - one with a "female" buckle part and one with a "male" buckle part.
Each piece has a loop that slides over the individual shoulder straps.

PROS: Less likely to get lost as each part stays attached to the shoulder straps. 
Can be used to secure straps behind ones back in an "H" carry.
CONS: Can't be used as a cincher or to hold a folded carrier together.

- This will be made from 25mm webbing with a 25mm buckle, or as a 1.25" wide wrap fabric strap with a 38mm buckle.

Accessories

SuckPads/Dribble Pads.

- Lined with cotton terry towelling, suck pads protect the shoulder straps of your carrier from a dribbly, teething baby. 
Available as straight or curved suck pads.

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Key Fobs

- 5" long loops that slip easily over your hand making it easier to locate  your keys.
- Key fobs with a trigger-clip can be attached to a Toy/Accessory loop on your custom carrier or to your bag to keep them even more handy and secure.

Dribble Bibs

- Terry-towelling lined bibs made from your own wrap or my Honeycomb loom wrap fabric. Perfect for dribbly babies or for when you are starting to wean.

Carrier Sizes



​Carrier Sizes.

I offer 4 sizes in total:

- Size 1 "Infant": 
Height 16"; Width 15." 
- Suitable from 3m - approx 18 months old

- Size 2 "In-between":
Height 17"; Width 17" 
- Suitable from approx 6m - 24m

- Size 3 "Toddler":
Height 18"; Width 19" 
- Suitable from approx 15m - 3 years

Size 4 "Pre-school":
Height 21"; Width 21" 
Suitable from approx 30m - 4 years

​Width and Height Cinchers
Order the size you would normally order as stated above. If your child is still a bit small for that size, adding Width and height cinchers will reduce the height of the body panel and the width of the seat by a couple of inches each and give your child time to grow into the carrier.

Ring Sling shoulder styles

Gathered Shoulder

- An easy shoulder style to wear and makes for a perfect “beginner’s sling”. 

-The fabric opens up wide to cup the whole shoulder and top of the arm. The wearer can spread or gather up the fabric as they prefer.

- Especially good for larger frames or rounded shoulders as it will prevent the fabric popping up to the wearer’s neck.

- Not recommended for petite frames or narrow shoulders as the wide style may swamp a smaller wearer and restrict movement of the arm. 
Pleated Shoulder

- Another easy shoulder style to wear.

- The first row of embroidery/stitching sets the shoulder width at approximately 5" - 6", so the fabric cannot travel too far down the arm. The pleats then open up wide to spread the fabric nicely over the wearer’s back. 

- Can be worn on all shoulder shapes but particularly good for narrow and/or sloping shoulders. 

- As with all Ring Slings, it is important to wear the fabric against the ball of the shoulder, not against the neck.
Padded Box Pleat

- A padded 5” wide box pleat. The padding sits on the ball of the shoulder and the flaps are spread out to cup the shoulder and fix it in place. (A good choice if you don’t like the fabric touching your neck). 

- The padding makes carrying heavier babies, (8m+), much more comfortable. 

- The narrower style works best on square shoulders, narrow shoulders and/or petite frames. 

- Not especially recommended for sloping or rounded shoulders as it can slip up towards the neck.
Box Pleat

- An un-padded shoulder cap with 4 pleats. The middle pleats are fixed so the fabric cannot spread too far down the shoulder but the outer pleats can be spread to cup the tip of the shoulder and stop the sling from travelling up to the neck.

- This is a narrower style than a Gathered shoulder but it spreads more than a padded Box Pleat.

​- Can be worn on all shoulder shapes and sizes.