親密揹巾 Baby Sling

自從我分享過一些使用揹巾的照片和心得，發現回應還不少，連美國的友人都有興趣呢。在寫了兩封英文信介紹說明揹巾後，我想也該放上來和大家分享，讓其他的媽媽們也能得到一點幫助並跳過摸索期囉！

我的揹巾是在網路上買的，台灣目前已經有一些品牌，價位大約在NT$800~1300之間都有。

在開始使用前，我也上網做了些功課，參考了很多媽媽們的使用心得。基本上，揹巾可分為兩大類：有環和無環揹巾。

＊有環揹巾：有兩個鐵環或尼龍環，加上一條長長的垂布，使用者可依據自己的身材調整使用。台灣知名的品牌有：媽媽餵、璐璐揹巾。

＊無環揹巾：顧名思義沒有任何的環，採一體成形，將一條長布頭尾相連，縫成圓圈狀，邊緣同有環揹巾可加上棉墊，無法根據身材調整，分大小尺寸，但使用較輕便迅速。台灣知名的品牌有：小於媽媽。（最近媽媽餵也推出了無環揹巾）

兩種揹巾我都有。對我來說，我比較喜愛無環揹巾，使用方便容易上手。而缺點是礙於身材尺寸而無法和老公分享。（除非你們的身材差不多）有環揹巾就沒有這樣的問題了，適合大家用。老實說，目前為止都是我一個人在抱寶寶出門，老公不是在上班就是在開車。他還沒有機會用到。

我找到了一個美國的揹巾網站，品牌非常的多，還有我沒看過的其他種揹巾。http://babysling.com/index.cfm/

我的有環揹巾是「媽媽餵」的。
我的無環揹巾是「小於媽媽」的。

在寶寶滿月後我就開始學著自己帶她出門。當寶寶在揹巾裡，通常很快就可以入睡或是安靜下來。一開始的時候，寶寶可能會因為不習慣而哭，但也很快會習慣而安靜。媽媽和寶寶都需要經過幾次練習後才會將揹巾用的順手。有點耐心，你會愛上它的。寶寶就像在媽媽的子宮裡那樣，會很有安全感。越早開始使用，寶寶越容易適應。

請一位有經驗的媽媽教使用揹巾也是個不錯的方法。

現在我幾乎每天都要用到揹巾！既然我是一個人在家帶孩子，我就必須把寶寶帶在身邊。揹巾比推車要方便很多，尤其是在繁忙的台北地區。不過呢，揹巾也只能用短時間，約兩小時，之後肩膀就容易疲勞酸痛而需要休息了。我想兩小時對媽媽們出門一次的時間也算是足夠了。

有時我在寶寶面前拿起揹巾，她就知道我們要出門而安靜下來。真是有趣！

終於，我完成了第一篇雙語blog文章。

Since few pictures and words on the baby sling were last posted here, we’ve got some feedbacks asking questions, even from the States. After two long emails, I thought maybe I should share it here with more. So it may help more moms and save time of searching if needed.

About the baby sling I have, I found them on the internet. There are a few different brands made by Taiwanese. They are about US$20~$35/each.

I've done some homework on these baby slings and found lots of moms' experience on slings before I use mine. There are two kinds of them, with rings or without rings.

＊Ring Sling: With two metal or nylon rings on a long fabric, user may adjust the length according to boby shape. The popular brands in Taiwan are: Mamaway, Lulusling.

＊Non-Ring Sling: It has no ring but one single fabric, sewed into one circle round band, with same cotton patch on the edge. Can't adjust length but has different sizes. Lighter and easier than ring sling. The popular brands in Taiwan are: Chao-U.

I have both of them. For me, I prefer it without rings. It's easier to use and lighter to put in bag. But non-ring sling have different sizes since they have no ring to adjust the length of the fabric, which means, the husband won't be able to share the non-ring sling with you.(Unless you two are in same body shape.) You won't have this problem with ring sling. Both can use it without problem. But honestly, so far I'm the only one who ever carry baby out. My husband is either at work or driving. He never use it.

I found an American website that you can check. http://babysling.com/index.cfm/ They have quite a few brands.

My ring sling is "Mamaway".

My non-ring sling is “Chao-U”

I started using the sling when baby was 1 month old. (Before that I was not really allowed to go out.) I found her very easily fell in sleep while in the sling. At first, she may not find it comfortable and cry for few seconds, but she will calm down very soon. It takes a few times of practice to get both mom and the baby to learn and get used to the sling. Just be patient, you'll love it. The baby will feel secure like in the womb. The earlier you started, the better baby get used to it.

Ask one experienced mommy to help you get start is a good way.

Now I use the sling almost EVERY DAY! Since I'm home alone with baby, I take her everywhere with me. This is MUCH easier than a stroller, especially in Taipei. But it only holds for 2 hours, after that, my shoulder get sore and need some rest. I guess 2 hours a time is enough for a mom's daily work.

Now whenever I pick up the sling in front of her, she would calm down and know that we'll going out. It's so funny.

And so I finally finished my first bilingual post.