Carrying babies – general information

Why carry babies?

It's really quite simple – carrying is good for everyone and it keeps you mobile!

It's quite natural to continue carrying babies after birth: the body heat from the person carrying the baby helps make the child feel calm and secure – you're with me and I will protect you!

But carrying is also a wonderful and unique experience for parents: trust, bonding and intensive familiarization, feeling what the baby needs and rediscovering the world together at "eye level". And, of course, "baby-wearing" provides great benefits in everyday life: when at home, shopping, travelling by bus or rail, in crowds, with brothers and sisters – the baby's with you, but you've got your hands free!

But carrying is also beneficial in difficult situations: problems with restlessness, frequent crying, wind, teething pains and confusing environmental stimuli usually get much better more quickly with frequent baby carrying.

The correct method of carrying where the legs are spread slightly apart and the baby is brought into a kind of squatting position also constitutes an important prerequisite for perfect hip development and healthy back muscles while helping children develop their senses.

Quality and fair trade

It has been our priority to provide baby carriers of high quality at favourable prices since 1984. We were awarded the top "Recommendable" commendation for our outstanding quality by the ÖKO-Test magazine in its special baby issue in 2000. A later test in the ÖKO-Test 2/2007 magazine found the Girasol baby carrier (rainbow stripes) to be "very good".

And there's one thing you can depend on:
Only pure untreated cotton that has neither been pre-bleached or chemically finished is used. We do not use formaldehyde, halogen-organic compounds, aromatic amines or brighteners. And our fabrics are not treated subsequently with chemicals or finishes.

Our select weavers are masters of a very difficult and ancient skill: diagonal weaving. A high-quality baby carrier produced with this method of weaving will always adapt elastically and never stretch out of shape. The hems have been doubled to prevent the edges from causing any unpleasant pressure.

Our carriers are all made from fabric that may be washed in the machine at 60°C . Baby carriers and slings shrink a little after the first wash – the lengths stated refer to the lengths after washing.


The Girasol baby carrier

Hardly any other carrying method is as versatile as baby carriers are: the different styles of tying them allow them to be used from newborn babies to toddlers; they can almost always be perfectly adapted to the changing needs of both carriers and the carried.

Admittedly, it does need a bit of practice to perfectly and quickly tie a baby carrier, but you'll be rewarded with a unique and comfortable sensation if you persevere. In front of the stomach, on the hip, on the back, with different centres of gravity, shifting weights and additional functions, for example, as blankets, mats, baby hammocks and swings – baby carriers are comfortable, practical and fun.

One tip that is still not widely known: taking advice or participating in baby-carrying seminars is one way to quickly learn how to use baby carriers properly; staff with special training from baby-carrying schools are able to provide advice and support concerning the correct use of carriers so that carrying your baby always remains a pleasure. Please go to our LINK LIST for more information in this regard.

Our baby carriers are woven in two bindings: transposed twill and diamond twill. Due to their diagonal elasticity, both types of weave possess wonderful baby-carrying properties. The centre of the baby carrier is identified by a little sewn-in label, the ends are tapered and the hems doubled for comfort.

All Girasol baby carriers may be washed at 60°C, may be ironed and occasionally – if haste is required – even dried in tumble-driers.

We have compiled a small overview for orientation showing you which baby carrier lengths are required for the methods of tying we recommend. We have decided to make recommendations based on US American clothes sizes – experience has shown that these are approximate values that work well for most parents.
But if you are uncertain, please ask us!

+ From newborn to toddler

+ Versatile carrier – may be worn in front of the stomach, on the hip, on the back

+ May also be used as a hammock, swing, blanket

+ Correctly tied, the baby carrier adapts perfectly and individually to both carrier and child


The Different Sizes Of Slings

We offer our slings in 4 different length : 2,60m 4,20m 4,60m and 5,20m.
If you need a special size, there is the possibility to have it custum made.
The suitable size depends on your size and the carrying positions.
The longer the sling, the more possibilities you have to carry your baby.
For the cradle and the hipseat you need 2,60m, for the back pack and the different cross- carries you need 4,20m until 5,20m slings.
With the length of 4,60 or 5,20m you can bind all different positions.

Girasol ring slings

Ring slings are a wonderful alternative or addition to other baby carriers – they're surprisingly versatile and may be used from birth.

The simple but amazing mechanical application of two rings means that ring slings are quick and safe to use. The correct slightly squatting position with the legs spread apart for encouraging optimum hip growth may be very easily achieved with ring slings. Ring slings may be used from birth and are often the perfect start for all who want an uncomplicated introduction to baby carriers.

They're great everywhere babies need to be quickly "popped in and out": shopping, housework, short distances with tired toddlers, easy stair climbing, breast feeding, rocking babies to sleep ... and thanks to its small folded size, it will practically fit in any handbag.

Longer distances may also be covered with very small babies, but one-sided carrying will over time become a little more tiring with heavier children. But they can still be a great help even with toddlers: "I want to be carried!" – a situation that's much easier to handle with ring slings.

Girasol's ring slings are available in two lengths and made, gathered and sewn from the Girasol baby carriers that are woven with the tried-and-tested transposed or diamond twill binding and quality aluminium rings specially manufactured by slingrings.com.

And they may be washed like our other baby carriers at 60°C, but we do recommend that the rings be tied together and secured in a little washing net or bag during washing to protect the machine.

+ May be used from newborn to toddler

+ The ideal carrier for quick and easy use in-between

+ Quick and easy to put on

+ Great for in the home and for shopping

Length 1 – 1.70 m (measured to the short side)
Fits clothes sizes XS – L

Length 2 – 2.00 m (measured to the short side)
Fits clothes sizes XL +


For orders outside the EU:
For dispatch outside the EU we reduct 19 % VAT from our indicated
prices.