Little Koala

Little Koala is pleased to offer a unique collection of cloth nappies, baby carriers and organic baby clothes. We are dedicated to providing quality products and top-notch customer service. Our goal is to make cloth diapering your baby as easy as possible !

It is all here, 21st century cloth nappies! Modern nappies are not only adorable but also effective, leak-proof, very easy to use and wonderfully healthy for your baby. All our cloth nappies are rated in the top ten on several nappy review sites. Nappies tried and tested by mothers worldwide and my son, Louis.

Choosing a baby carrier

In this section I have outlined some of the different types of carriers that are available. I have tried to list all the different characteristics of carriers to help you choose the best one for your circumstances.

Slings

There are many variations on this theme. They all originate from the way some cultures carry their babies in a piece of cloth tied in a knot at the shoulder. Now metal rings, plastic rings or buckles are used to hold the fabric tight. The rings or buckles make these slings easier to adjust. They can be padded or unpadded. The baby slings can be used in several different positions and with infants or toddlers.

Buckle slings

Buckle slings are quite common in Australia and are often the first slings mothers try. Slings with buckles are less adjustable than a ring sling, although this can make learning how to use the sling easier. Many have separate tails to adjust each rail individually but some may need to be pre-adjusted prior to wearing and all are padded. The main advantage of the buckle is that it makes the sling very quick to remove. This is especially handy with young babies that fall asleep in the sling; you can unclip it and lie bubs down without waking them. The main complaint I have heard from many mothers is that the buckle digs into the neck when the baby is over a certain weight and the weight is not evenly distributed over the shoulder. Sadly some mothers are completely put off slings because of the buckle digging into their necks.

Padded ring slings

Padded slings have a padded shoulder and padded edges down each side of the baby sling (railings). Slings can be heavily padded or lightly padded. The padding can make some carrying positions more comfortable for babies especially newborns. Some mothers feel that breastfeeding is easy in a sling with some padding. However, it can be difficult to get a tight fit on a padded sling, as they are a little less adjustable since the padding cannot go through the rings. Padded slings can be bulky so can’t be easily carried in a small bag. Too much padding can also be hot in summer.

Unpadded ring slings

Unpadded slings have no padding on the rails and are therefore infinitely more versatile and adjustable. The top and bottom rails of the sling can be adjusted separately, which can give a snugger fit. But unpadded slings can have a longer learning curve and some mothers find the lack of padding can mean the material or rings dig in. The main advantage for me is that these slings are so ‘poppable’ which literally means that is easy to put your baby in and out again, and is crucial with toddlers that want to be carried but also want to explore. This is my favourite carrier for quick shops, running out the door to get milk type of think. And these are so easy to throw into a small bag, even a handbag and they are relatively quick to put on. Another characteristic of these sling carriers is that they hold a baby in a natural cradle position, just like a parents arms and so makes breastfeeding in a carrier very possible. Slings with rings can be undone to become a handy blanket and if it has an open tail it can also be a handy sun shade, wind protector or burp cloth and some designs have handy pockets for keys, nappy or purse. The disadvantages of the slings are their lack of versatility for back carries and also the fact that the weight of the baby is all on one shoulder. So the heavier your toddler gets the less you are going to want to use a ring sling. And people with shoulder problems might not find them suitable.

Mei Tais, Podegis, and other Asian Carriers

These baby carriers were traditionally intended for carrying infants and children on the back, but they have also been adapted as front carriers in the Western world. These carriers consist primarily of rectangles of fabric that have padded shoulder and waist straps for securing children to carers. These are exceptionally comfortable because the weight of the baby is spread evenly across both shoulders and waist. They may be more comfortable than ring-slings and pouches as they do not bear weight entirely on one shoulder. They are very light and easy to pack into a nappy bag. These are a great alternative to both the Bjorn and the frame backpacks that some women find too heavy to wear. You do need some practice to learn how to put your baby into these but it is well worth it (I think). Because they tie on they can fit a number of different carers. And it is possible to breastfeed in these carriers. Many parents feel less intimidated by these carriers and appreciate the more mainstream appearance of them. However they are not ‘poppable’ as ring slings. This is my favourite carrier for long walks and for doing the housework.

Wraparound carriers

A wrap around carrier consists of a long rectangular piece of fabric that wraps around the baby and mother. There are either made of stretch fabric or woven fabric. Many cultures around the world use or have used wrap type carriers to wear their babies. They are commonly called carrying cloths in European countries. A variety of different carrying positions can be used, depending on the length. Shorter carriers have more limited carrying positions. These probably offer the best weight distribution of all the carriers because the baby can be tied close and snug to the mother. And the weight of the baby is evenly spread across your shoulders, back and hips. These carriers however have the longest learning curve, which can put some mothers off. And some carers don’t like the feeling of being tied up; I know my husband would never try one of these. Wraparound carriers are a little more difficult to put on when you are out and about as it can be awkward to deal with a large length of fabric in the middle of a car park or on a plane (personal experience). It is possible to tie it on at home before you leave then placing the baby in it when you arrive at your destination, but you are then wearing the wrap empty. The stretch wraps are great for snuggling a newborn to your chest but tend to give too much when the baby gets bigger. Woven wraps are great for toddlers and offers a more supportive back carry than the stretch wrap.

Pouches

Traditionally, baby pouches are simply a tube of fabric sewn with a rounded seam. The advantage of a pouch is that it uses the least amount of fabric with no knots or adjusting to do, they are one of the easiest to learn to use. They are also fairly ‘poppable’, important with toddlers. Many women like a well-sized pouch because it seems un-intimidating and easy to use for babies and children who are in and out a lot. Others prefer a pouch as a hip carrier. The disadvantage I see for pouches is the difficulty in finding the right sized pouch. If it is too big the baby hangs too low and if they are too small it is difficult to get the baby in. Because the sizing is so crucial it is difficult to use the same pouch for several carers. Some manufacturers have addressed this problem by creating an adjustable pouch, which shortens the length of the pouch by using snaps, buttons or zips. Pouches are light and compact; so are great for throwing into a small bag when you are out and about. However as for slings most of the weight of the baby is on one shoulder. If you want to sew your own sling, then pouches are a great one to make. There is no complicated sewing required and there are a number of patterns available on the internet.