Slingin’

Filed Under Baby Gear, Daddy, Four Months, Slinging | 6 Comments

Before I had Bailey, I was really skeptical about baby slings in general. I thought they looked really crunchy. Now, I don’t know what I would do without my sling. Bailey absolutely loves being in it, and it’s so easy to use. I think one of the best things about my sling is that it doesn’t have to be adjusted for height depending on whether it’s me or Jonathon using it. Oh wait, except he doesn’t use it.

I have had a ring sling since before she was born. My mom insisted on buying it. I will admit there is kind of a learning curve to using it, but now I am very comfortable with it. I think the best thing about slings is that the baby can be bunched up how they are comfortable instead of just dangling. Also, there is the flexibility to use it facing forwards, backwards, on my hip, cradle position… and if I was really good I could use it to breastfeed and carry her on my back. I’m not that good.

Anyway I ventured out and got ANOTHER sling. Different than my first one. This one is from slinglings.com and it’s awesome! It’s not a ring sling- it’s actually fitted to your size. I had to give them some measurements (I just measured myself using a measuring tape) and then they selected the correct size and sent it to me. At first when I got it, I thought it looked way too small. But once I tried it I realized it was the perfect size. These people really know what they are doing!

The nice thing is that this sling requires no adjusting, and the ring doesn’t have to be tightened occasionally, and the cloth doesn’t ever get twisted around. At first it seemed to loose around the top but then I figured out to flip over the top of the fabric (like in the pic with Jonathon holding her) and it fits much more snugly. Also there is a padded part on the edge of the cloth that makes it pretty comfy.

Here are some pics of me trying out my new toy.

(I know I am wearing it too low on my shoulder, but at that point I was trying to get it tight enough around Bailey so that she didn’t lean back, and I hadn’t discovered flipping the material yet)

I was amazed that Jonathon was so willing to try this. He is terrified of the ring sling. He had one difficult experience trying to use it and he is scared of it now, I think. He was willing to try this sling on right away, and I think he kind of liked it. This is also when we figured out to fold over the top layer of fabric to make it fit around Bailey better.

Also I know this sling is fitted to my size- but keep in mind that my size includes milk boobs and a pudgy tummy- so it fits Jonathon fairly well

I am trying to decide whether to bring my new sling out with us tomorrow. I really want to… but I am wondering if I should use it around the house a little more to get more comfortable with it first. Although I will have the stroller too… (We are going to a childrens zoo type place with my mom and grandma). I always bring the sling even if we have the stroller, because she likes to be up where she can see everything sometimes

Anyway, just curious who else uses slings, and if so, what kind? I am torn between my familiar but more difficult ring sling, and this new and potentially much easier fitted sling.

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