Overview
Buckle carriers (also known as soft structured carriers) involve a waistband, a panel of fabric to hold your child, and straps that go over your shoulder and fasten back around to secure the panel. They're usually a pretty speedy option, but sometimes aren't the snuggliest carry for small babies. The problem with many other buckle carriers is either that the panel of fabric is too wide for tiny legs to fit around comfortably or that the panel comes up past baby's head, creating an airway/airflow risk.
However, the Mamaruga Zensling is genuinely suitable for newborns, all the way up to older babies and even toddlers! The panel synches easily at the waist to find a perfect width (this is the new version with velcro to hold the width), and has two vertical adjusters on each side of the panel to get the perfect height. They can also help to create a great 'seat' for the child - with bottom lower than knees in a pelvic tuck (optimal positioning for most babies and children). WE LOVE THEM! They also happen to be beautifully designed, wash well and and feel super snuggly - great for easing that womb-to-world transition.
Details
Fabric composition: 95% organic cotton, polyester padding. Snuggly T shirt fabric in a buckle carrier!
Manufacture: Made in Turkey, Designed in UK
Washing: 30 degrees, non-bio detergent and no fabric softener please (makes buckles slippy). Air dry (don't tumble dry)
Child weight range: 3kg - 20kg
Instructions
Carrying options: Front facing inward, hip and back carry (from 6 months). For a standard front carry, straps cross the wearer's back (which spreads the weight, and can be more comfortable to wear).
How to guides:
Mamaruga produces a really good user manual, with genuinely helpful instructions and photos for each carry, written in conjunction with trained sling consultants. (Unusual!)
Roamy Hunt at South East Slings has made a good video showing how to use a Zensling with a newborn, adjusting for size, as has Sheffield Sling Surgery (theirs is a silent video with annotations.
For more
More detailed overview from Sling Spot.