How Moms Around The World Carry Around Their Babies

Mothers around the world have come up with various ways to carry their babies, each suited to their particular circumstances:

Bassinets (also refered to as a Moses basket) Westerners prefer bassinets. This is based on the belief that new born babies must lay flat to help them develop the correct spinal position, and to allow freedom of body movement.

Popular in Western countries and used for babies up to two months old, many moms prefer Moses baskets to cribs or cots for its portability and convenience, providing baby with a secure, lightweight, and cozy environment even while mom’s on the move. Often sporting carrying handles, Moses baskets allow baby to be moved easily from room to room. They usually come with their own firm mattresses (to lower chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ), bedding, and fabric-covered hood, and are made of palm, maize, or wicker. Some come with stands.  

Carrycot A carrycot is basically a bassinet that looks like it has been designed by a committee of forty who couldn’t compromise- the finished product ends up with a little of something each of the forty committee members feels is important. Another way to look at it is as a pram or pushchair with the wheeled frame removed.

Pram (also called stroller or pushchair) A pram is basically a bassinet with a wheeled frame designed for easy folding, unfolding, and stowing in the car’s luggage compartment. Some have detachable carrycots. Often it has compartments for storing diapers, baby’s clothes, baby formula, and other baby things.

Traditional American Indian papoose or cradle board Here the baby is strapped to a flat surface of wood or woven flexible twigs, and cushioned by soft materials like lichen, moss, or shredded bark so that the baby is able to move only its head. Before anyone thinks of this as a rather unusual way to carry baby around, remember that American Indians used to follow where bison go, necessitating frequent moving of residences on horseback or travois. The solution: papoose to carry baby around.

The Sling The Sling has been the traditional way mothers carry their babies around in many parts of the world including Asia, Africa, and South America. One way to describe it would probably be to liken it to a small hammock, but with the ends secured around the mother. It’s practical, allowing the mother the use of both hands, and the ability to closely monitor her baby. For babies it’s just as well: they are comforted by the constant contact with mom, and cry less. They are also soothed by the swaying motion of mom’s hips.

Variations abound, allowing it to be used with the baby straddled on his mother’s back, chest, or hips. There are many types: Maya wrap, Mei Tai, Storchenwiege, or the more recent Snugli, developed by former Peace Corps Volunteer Ann Moore after observing the Togo, Africa mothers she’s worked with. The wrap is popular among Southeast Asians, who use the wrap as baby’s hammock.