Cross twill-, diamond twill- and fishbone-weaving – if you have any questions about these terms, this is the right place for you. Different weaves do not only produce beautiful patterns that differ from each other, especially in the carrying world, weaves should contribute to the purchase decision. Why? Let’s find it out now!

Many of us are probably familiar with weaving from our school days. We were already able to experience with our own hands how the weaving of different threads produces different patterns. Here comes a small definition to refresh our old memories: weaving is the joining of warp and weft threads. Warp threads run in the longitudinal direction, weft threads in the transverse direction. How the threads are strung together not only affects the pattern but also determines the stability of different weaving-techniques.

For babywraps, a stable weave is particularly important to keep your baby securely in the babywrap or ring sling. At the same time, a sling must also be elastic in order to adapt to the baby’s back. This stability and elasticity are given mainly by the cross twill weaving and the herringbone weaving. It is therefore important that a good sling adapts to the body of our baby carriers without wearing out.

Fishbone-Weaving

the weaving has the same pattern on the front and back side.

By the way, the name of the weaving is due to the pattern reminding of herringbones in a row.

Lovingly handmade

Although our babywraps have different colours and weaves, the same basic rule applies to each of our Mama Nukas: due to the diagonal elasticity, our slings hardly give way in the longitudinal and transverse directions, but in the diagonal. A real quality feature for a good sling that will -thanks to its stability- accompany you and your baby for a long time. And since our Mama Nukas are hand-woven, they are soft enough to feel very comfortable and save, right from the beginning.

In more than 2/3 of the world’s population, babies are firmly tied to their mothers, dads or other caregivers. The reason for this is natural and trivial – humans are carriers. This term was mainly influenced by the behavioral biologist Bernhard Hassenstein in the 70s. He describes man as an “active carrier” which means that babies expect to be carried – evolutionary and biologically. Shown by their gripping and embracing reflexes as well as their spreading and squatting posture when you start carrying them.

Advantages for the little baby carrier and the parents

Moreover, carrying the baby has many other advantages: the attachment to mum and dad is strengthened and the development of the baby is promoted in many ways. When worn correctly, healthy hip development is promoted, babies explore their environment with all their senses, but can also cuddle up to mum or dad at any time and protect themselves in their security from sensory overloads. Being there with all your senses promotes the motor, cognitive and emotional development of our little baby carriers. But there are also many advantages for mum and dad: Baby carriers are often calmer and happier, parents have both hands free and can move freely.

The history of carrying babies in Europe

Nevertheless, wearing them today is still regarded as “alternative” in Germany. However, the fact that babies in babywraps and slings are increasingly once again shaping the cityscape is more a reflection of the past than a new invention- carrying babies was quite normal in Europe until 150 years ago. For example, babies and children were carried in hock coats, which were mainly known in Thuringia.

It all has changed by the time when the first factory pushchairs were produced in around 1840. But those were unsuitable for newborns because they were designed for sitting. Then, in 1880, the invention of the pram as we know it today followed.

Social views of carrying

What is particularly exciting here is the simultaneously changing social perspective on carrying babies. Mother and child were increasingly separated during the epoch of enlightenment, which also had an impact on their appearance in public space. The pram offered (in addition to the fact that the transport of prams was for the first time infrastructurally possible) the chance for mother and child to appear in public space and at the same time to distinguish themselves from the lower class (with stereotypically many children). Last but not least, the pram was also regarded as a status symbol.

Baby Carriers in 2019

The history of carrying a pram ranges from Egyptian high culture to the African continent, Greenland, the Amazon region and Papua New Guinea, and also has a long tradition in Europe, which is far too rarely told.

Unfortunately, prejudices about carrying, such as babies not getting enough air to breath, being pampered or learning to walk later, have established themselves. Fortunately, there are studies today that refute those prejudices. They found out

• that researchers consider the difference in oxygen intake when wearing to be insignificant
• that babies learn to walk faster by swinging their legs with the movement of their parents
• that it’s good to promote the emotional, cognitive and motor development of babys and children
• that through the bonding to the parents and the security of childhood it is easier for babys to explore the world on their own in future life

Carrying is a natural and great thing! We are happy to be part of the carrying world and accompany families with our ecological Mama Nuka baby slings and ring slings.
So let’s get into the cuddly sling!