Lightly Padded Baby Sling by Maya Wrap

Maya Wrap Product Features:

• Cool: All of our baby carriers are 100% cotton and are comfortable in hot weather. Our fabrics look the same on both sides, eliminating the need for sewing two fabrics together to hide the wrong side of a fabric. One layer of fabric is cooler than two layers and allows for better air flow to help keep your baby from becoming over-heated.
• No Bulk: Our carriers (except the Lightly Padded Sling) have no padding. The Lightly Padded Sling has a small amount of padding in the shoulder. This means all of our carriers are not bulky. They fit easily into your diaper bag or purse when you are on the go. The Maya Tie uses slightly more fabric but will still fit nicely into a larger diaper bag or backpack.
• Comfortable: Our Slings distribute baby’s weight across your back for a comfortable, secure fit. Wearing two MamaBaby slings allows you to distribute baby’s weight over both shoulders for extra comfort. The Maya Tie distributes baby’s weight over both shoulders and your hips for ultimate comfort. It is excellent for heavier children or babywearing for long periods of time. Unlike other woven cottons, our hand-loomed fabrics "give" for a more comfortable fit while still being supportive.
• Versatile: All of our baby carriers are usable in a variety of positions for newborns and toddlers. Our slings grow with your baby over time. Wearing two MamaBaby slings makes it possible to wear your newborn in a high “burp” position. The Maya Tie can also be used for a very comfortable and secure back carry.
• Adjustable: All of our products come in a range of sizes and are fully-adjustable, ensuring a perfect and secure fit every time! Our carriers can be tightened over a wide range. Frequently both parents can share one carrier even if they are different sizes.
• Discreet: You can breastfeed in all of our baby carriers. For those who prefer to breastfeed discreetly, the tails of our slings can be used as a cover up. When selecting a sling, if nursing coverage is not important to you, you may prefer to select a size smaller. The smaller size will have a shorter fabric tail past the rings.

Caring For your Maya Sling Wrap

- About Maya Wrap Fabrics
Maya Wrap Baby Carriers are sewn from 100% cotton, hand loomed fabric with the exception of our MamaBaby slings which are made of 100% ultra-soft cotton interlock.

- Caring for your Maya Wrap fabric
All Maya Wrap products are machine washable in cold water and should be line dried. Do NOT bleach. No thread is guaranteed colorfast. Your Maya Wrap has been pre-washed so the excess dye is rinsed out, however, we recommend that you perform a color test on your Maya Wrap material before using it by pressing a moist white cloth or cotton ball against it, the white cloth or cotton ball should not turn color.

- About Maya Wrap Dyes
The dyes used to make Maya Wrap Baby Carriers do not contain any copper, nickel, lead, mercury, cadmium, cobalt, aluminum, arsenic, chromium or any other poisonous substance.

About Maya Wrap

Maya Wrap is proud to be celebrating 10 years of keeping you and your baby growing together! We are passionate about the products we sell and our mission is to create safe and innovative products that simplify your life and let you focus on what is most important- your baby.

The idea for Maya Wrap came 15 years ago when Susan Gmeiner, Owner and CEO, as a first time mom, was experiencing the joys and struggles that come with trying to get things done. She experimented with several different carriers, looking for the perfect solution for keeping her baby content and close. She tried a front carrier which quickly grew useless as her baby grew in weight and size. After trying a handmade ring sling from a friend, she realized that a ring sling would allow her to hold her baby in several positions, ease the strain on her back, keep her baby quiet and content, and allow her to bond and grow with her child. She set out to create her own pattern for a ring sling, and it was an instant success with neighbors and friends.

Maya Wrap, Inc. was officially born in 1996. Maya Wrap has grown to become the gold standard in ring slings and carriers today. The innovative product offerings continue to grow, now including MamaBaby Slings and Maya Ties. Maya Wrap products are used by celebrities and savvy parents worldwide.

Baby wearing is one of the oldest traditions of parenting around the world. For centuries baby wearing has given parents a way to meet the diverse needs of Child, Self, Family and Community. By providing the best we can for our children, we offer them a chance to reach their full potential. Strong human bonds and lots of physical contact help form the secure "world" where the infant learns best.

When a parent wears their baby in a sling or carrier, both the parent and the baby quickly learn to read each other's cues. Dads get a new role that's more fun than just diapering: baby slings and carriers provide a way to comfort your baby or help her drift off to sleep. Wearing your baby helps harmonize your infant's systems, because they mirror the caregivers movement, breathing, and heartbeat. These rhythms reflect the womb experience, easing the transition into the outside world. Wearing baby in a sling or carrier is the best way to nurse on the go. Busy mothers can give their child the best nutrition possible, anywhere. You have the freedom to do virtually anything while you give your child what they need: You!

Babies really take to slings and carriers because of the closeness, security and comfort they provide. Within a few days, you and your baby will work together to discover how baby wearing works best for the two of you. As you can imagine, each caregiver/child pair finds a different comfort. One thing is common too all: a deeper bond between caregiver and child.

There are lots of different ways to carry your baby; this article from about.com can bring to light a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right baby carrier

Before You Choose a Baby Carrier

From simple tied-on slings to structured backpack carriers, there is a baby carrier to fit nearly any parent and any lifestyle. Find out which baby carriers will work best for you based on your budget, how you prefer to carry your baby and whether or not you'll share your baby carrier with others.

Find Your Balance
One of the first decisions you need to make when buying a baby carrier is whether you need baby's weight to be balanced over both shoulders or whether you would be comfortable with a one-shoulder design. For parents with back or hip problems, a backpack or frontpack carrier may be more comfortable since it distributes weight evenly over the body. Many parents love the flexibility that one-shoulder carriers offer, though, so don't count them out entirely unless you need to for physical reasons.

Who Will Use the Baby Carrier?
Obviously, it's important to choose a baby carrier that will fit the baby who will ride in it, whether it's a tiny, newborns-only pouch or an adjustable carrier that will last through toddlerhood. It's also important to consider which adults will be using the baby carrier, because sizing is important for parents, too. While some slings and carriers are adjustable for many sizes, others come in small/medium/large sizes, which could be challenging if two parents of very different body shapes will share a baby carrier. You may need to look for an adjustable carrier or buy a different one for each parent.

Padded Vs. Unpadded Baby Carriers
Baby carriers can be found with padded straps, padded seats, and padded back supports, or with little to no padding at all. It may take some trial and error to decide what level of padding suits you best. While padding can add comfort, it also can make the baby carrier warmer for you and baby. The extra warmth is nice in cold climates, but when summer arrives, an unpadded baby carrier may be more comfortable for everyone. Padding is also bulky, which can feel uncomfortable, and the bulk makes it harder to stash a baby carrier in a diaper bag for travel.

Where Will You Use the Baby Carrier?
If you know you'll need a baby carrier that performs well in both warm and cold weather, look for a front-pack carrier with ventilation mesh and an extra winter layer, or consider buying two different sling-type carriers - a cotton summer weight and a winter fleece - to carry baby comfortably all year long. If you want to use the baby carrier in a rainy climate, or at the pool or beach, look for waterproof fabrics or a quick-dry mesh carrier designed for use in the water. If you travel a lot, choose a compact, frameless baby carrier that folds easily so you can stash it in a diaper bag or suitcase.

Baby Carriers for Any Budget
Having a small baby gear budget doesn't mean you can have a great baby carrier. Simple ring slings and basic front-pack baby carriers can be found at discount stores and baby products stores for about $20. If your budget allows a little more, you can choose from hundreds of styles of slings, pouches, hip carriers and traditional front-packs in the $30-$50 price range. Rugged frame carriers, specialty ergonomic slings and baby carriers in beautiful luxury fabrics can be found for $75-$100.

Which Look Do You Like?
Most parents have strong opinions on what they like when it comes to baby gear, especially the gear they'll be wearing. Baby carriers are available today in a wide range of styles, colors and patterns, so you can probably find one that one or both parents can proudly wear. Try on a few different baby carriers and see whether you like the look of a sling or a more traditional front-pack carrier. Don't forget that you can customize your baby carrier by choosing a sling in a great fabric or color or buying a custom cover for your front-pack carrier.

Baby Carrier Versatility
Just how versatile does your baby carrier need to be? That's up to you. Many parents are happy with a baby carrier that works in just one position, such as a front-pack that positions baby on the parent's chest. Most front-packs allow the wearer to place the baby facing the wearer or facing out. Other types of baby carriers may allow you to snuggle a newborn on your chest or in the cradle hold, carry an older baby on your hip, or even carry the baby on your back. If you think you'll use the baby carrier through the toddler years, you may want to look at carriers that work in several positions.

Before You Choose a Baby Carrier, Heather Corley, About.com