Sling Acronyms and Definitions

ABC = Asian [style] Baby Carrier, a carrier with a square or rectangular body and straps for the shoulders and waist. This type of carrier has been used for centuries in many Asian cultures. Today it is available in the traditional, unstructured style and with some modern variations, such as padded shoulder and waist straps, buckles and clips.  They can be customized by adjusting the size and shape of the body as well as the length and/or width or padding of the straps. Mei Tais, Podegis and Onbuhimos are all examples of ABCs with different strap configurations.  Examples and wearing instructions for each of these can be found at Freehand Baby Carriers

ACP = Adjustable cotton pouch, a pouch carrier that can be adjusted using buttons, zips or snaps. 

AFP = Adjustable fleece pouch, same as above in fleece.

AP = Adjustable Pouch

BB = Baby Bjorn (See below) or Baby Bundler, wrap type carrier

BC = Baby Carrier or Back Carry

Bjorn = Baby Bjorn, front carrier

BSAP = Baby Space Adjustable pouch, combines the curved pouch and wide shoulder of a pouch sling with the adjustability and tail of the standard ring sling.

Buddha Carry = same as Kangaroo Carry (See below)

CC = Cross Carry, way of tying a wrap carrier.

CnC = Cuddle n' Carry, an ABC

CP = Chic Papoose, pouches

D/G = Didymos/Girasol, Woven wraps. 

They can both be seen at Peppermint.com

Didy =  Didymos, a German woven wrap.  100% organic cotton, woven with a diagonal stretch

EBMT = Equanimity Baby Mei Tai (now Placid Baby )

ER = EllaRoo, brand name,  ER makes ring slings, podegis, MTs, and wraps.

They can all be seen at  Peppermint.com

EBC (or Ergo) = Ergo Baby Carrier back/frontpack type carrier (keeps baby supported in a seated position) that uses buckles instead of straps like and ABC.

FK = FrankenKozy, Asian style baby carrier with modified straps that mimic a wraparound baby carrier.  Must be home-sewn, not sold in stores or on the web.

Freehand = popular manufacturer (WAHM) of ABC style carriers.

Girasol = Hand woven Guatemalan cotton wrap, with a diagonal stretch, which forms around the baby without being bouncy.

HaB = Hug-a-Bub, Stretchy wrap type carrier made in Austrailia.

HCC = Hip Cross Carry, way of tying a wrap.

HH = Hip Hammock, hip carrier

Hotsling = popular pouch featuring padded leg rails

IAP = Invisibly Adjustable Pouch (See MMIAP)

Kangaroo hold/carry = a front facing forward carry with legs tucked in the sling/pouch

KKAFP = Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch, a popular fleece pouch carrier that can be adjusted using snaps. 

KKACP = Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Cotton Pouch, a cotton pouch carrier that can be adjusted using snaps.

Kozy = Kozy Carrier, a popular ABC type carrier.

MB = Mama Baby Sling The MamaBaby is a ring sling made from 100% cotton interlock knit fabric and can be worn alone but is designed to be worn in pairs (one on each shoulder).

Mei Hip = Hip carrier sling that is a cross between a ring sling and Mei Tai.  The bottom of the body has straps that tie, like a MT, and the shoulders fasten with rings like a ring sling (or with a buckle).  Made by Kolamo Baby

MIM = Moms in Mind, lightly padded ring slings.

MM = Mamma's Milk (See below)

MMIAP = Mamma's Milk Invisibly Adjustable Pouch adjusts using Aplix®, a stronger version of Velcro

MnM (or M&M) = Mom and Me Creations, maker of Pea in the Pod Pouches.  All Pea in a Pod Pouches are made of hemp fleece, are adjustable with 5 rows of nylon snaps and feature light padded rails both on front and back and a tapered shoulder design.

Moby = Moby Wrap, stretchy wrap-type carrier

Mamatoto.org = A non-profit corporation created to educate the general public on the advantages of babywearing, and to promote the use of a simple piece of cloth as a traditional baby sling among those who care for infants and toddlers.

MT = Mei Tai, type of Asian Baby Carrier with a rectangular body and straps at the top for shoulder straps and the bottom for waist straps. (See ABC above)

Maya = manufacturer name that makes ring slings and pouches.  Maya Wrap Baby Carriers are sewn from 100% cotton, hand loomed, Guatemalan fabric.

MW = Maya Wrap, unpadded ring sling (See Maya above)

MWAP or MAP = Maya Wrap Adjustable Pouch, pouch that adjusts using zippers and buttons. (See Maya above)

MWP or MP = Maya Wrap Pouch, Maya brand pouch.  Older pouches were not adjustable. (See Maya above)

NNBC (or NN) = New Native Baby Carrier, non-adjustable pouch (usually twill)

Nojo = Dr. Sear's Original Baby Sling, padded ring sling

Onbuhimo = type of Asian Baby Carrier with a rectangular body and straps at the shoulders and rings at the bottom.  Seen here

OTSBH = Over-the-Shoulder-Baby-Holder, a heavily padded ring sling

Podegi =type of Asian Baby Carrier with a rectangular, blanket type body and straps at the shoulders.  Podegi History

Poppable/poppability = Term coined by members of the Yahoo Babywearing group. The quality in a babycarrier of being easy to get a baby into and out of, while being easy and practical to wear without a baby. A useful feature for babies who like to be up and down from your arms (or in and out of the babycarrier) frequently, necessitating that the babywearer leave the carrier on in-between times.

Pouch = A pouch, in its most basic form, is a tube of fabric with a curved seam sewn in the middle providing a "pouch" for baby to sit in. Most pouches are custom fit for the wearer, while some styles are adjustable with rows of snaps or a zipper.  Pouches are most commonly made of fleece or cotton and some are reversible. Pouches tend to be less adjustable than ring slings or wraps but also tend to have less of a learning curve. 

PWCC = Pocket Wrap Cross Carry, way of tying a wrap carrier.

Rebozo = a baby-carrying shawl.  A length of light weight, woven and fringed cotton cloth. See an explanation of how to use a Rebozo here.

Rebozo Way Project =  A non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about traditional methods of birthing, family and community relationships, and about in-arms and attachment parenting as practiced by indigenous peoples worldwide.

Ring Sling =  Ring slings are also long rectangular pieces of material (usually between 2 and 2 ½  yards long and about 30 inches wide).   Ring slings are secured by threading the material through two rings, usually worn (usually) at the shoulder. Ring slings can be unpadded, lightly padded or heavily padded.  The tail (or material threaded through and “left over”) of a ring sling can be sewed closed or left open and can be left very long and used as a modesty cover for nursing or cut short. 

Rucksack back carry = type of back carry using a wrap.  This carry ties the shoulder straps similar to a Backpack (instead of crossing them over the wearer's chest) and, in fact, is sometimes referred to as the "Backpack carry".

SA = Simply Attached, a fleece wrap carrier.

SBP = Sleeping Baby Productions, manufacturer of unpadded ring slings.  Home of the overlapping, pleat shoulder and Ring-Wrap carrier.

Shoulder flip =  a technique used when wearing a pouch (or wrap) where you pull the top layer of fabric closest to your neck down over the cap of your shoulder.  This will tighten the top rail and bring your child in closer to your body.

SMM = Sling Me Mommy, home of the “no fluff” cloth baby carrier, an unpadded ring sling.

Solarveil =  a patented,  open-knit, totally breathable, cool comfortable sun protection fabric.  Solarveil Blocks up to 95% of the Sun's harmful rays while keeping you cooler and more comfortable. 

SPOC = simple piece of cloth. Used as a wrap carrier.

Storch = Storchenwiege (see below)

Storchenwiege = German made wrap carrier.

Tail = fabric of the ring sling that is left over and hangs down.  If long enough can be brought up over the baby and used as a privacy cover.

TBW = The Babywearer.com  Your online babywearing resource centre With articles to help you choose the right type of babycarrier for your needs, reviews and product lists to help you find the perfect carrier for you, and extensive information and links to help you use your babycarrier. All supported by a wonderful community of babywearers who can help you with all of these processes and provide support for your parenting choices. (Through forums).  You need to be registered to access the forums, reviews and some articles but it's quick and it's free so why wait!

Tibetan back carry = type of back carry using a wrap.  This carry does not tie over the person's shoulders and both the shoulder and waist straps tie high on the wearer's chest (over the bust line).

T2T (or TTT) = tummy to tummy, a carrying position that places the baby tummy to tummy with the person carrying the baby.  Also called the snuggle hold.

TMT = Taylor Made Treasures, manufacturer of unpadded ring slings.

UBW = Ultimate Baby Wrap, long slightly stretchy wrap style carrier that uses rings.

WCC = Wrap Cross Carry, way of tying a wrap carrier.

Wilki = Wilkinet,  front/back pack type carrier.

Wrap = Wraps are long rectangular pieces of material. Wraps are secured simply by wrapping and tying.  Wraps can be made with no sewing.  Wraps are available in different lengths from about 2 yards up to 6 yards and are usually around 30 inches wide and can be made of stretchy, woven or gauze material.  The length and type of material of the wrap will influence the type of carry you can use it for.  Wraps tend to have more of a learning curve than other slings but can be very comfortable and very versatile and after some practice are no harder to use than other types of carriers.

WWS = Wise Woman sling, an adjustable ring sling pouch.

XL-R = Extra Large Rebozo (See Rebozo above)

ZAP = Zolowear Adjustable Pouch,  pouches that are one loop of fabric and can be tightened with a single button and four buttonholes. (See below for link)

Zolo = Zolowear sling or pouch

Also see our Resources pages for more links to valuable babywearing information!

So what did I miss??  If there is a term, abbreviation or any other bit of knowledge that you feel would be helpful here please email me at terms@ohiobabywearers.com and let me know!

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