Ode to my sling(s)

I love my slings. I have no idea what I would do without them. You see, Matthew and I have a beef with those infant car seats that you carry the baby around in. My first problem is purely physical: I can't lug them. The seat plus child must weigh 20 pounds and only gets heavier as the baby grows. Why not just carry baby? It cuts down on bulk and weight. I also have a deep concern for the baby's neck and head bouncing around down there. Everybody knows not to shake their baby, but it's okay to subject them to brain trauma via car seat? My third real problem is that babies are left in their car seat entirely to much. Babies sleep in them, ride in them, stroll the neighborhood in them and eat in them. I have to confess I was rather indifferent to the whole thing until my husband came home with his latest design project one day before our firstborn had made his appearance in the world. It was a reshaping helmet for an infant that had been left in his car seat to long and his skull was not forming property. I said "wow, that's really horrible" and went out and bought a sling not long after.
Matthew and I are very much into attachment parenting as a result. We take our babies everywhere. Yes, I will even admit to having gone to the bathroom while holding a sleeping baby.

This is good old green reliable. Luke lived in this sling until he was 10 months old and I found out I was expecting again. I have replaced good old greenie, but he is still a large part of my life. You see, greenie does not stay close to my body and I need one hand to make sure baby stays put and I just don't have that extra hand while chasing a 21 month old. Also, sweet little Alice refuses to be put down. (Even sling mommies need to take a shower occasionally.) But she still likes to look around while being held and my new sling lets her. But, greenie has found an invaluable place in my heart as a pool sling. Alice can sit up in it while I wade after Luke.



This is my lovely new sling. I wear it almost everyday. Alice is sleeping in it right now. I honestly think she may be a bit colic. There is just something comforting about having your tummy against a warm mommy that makes everything better.

I was contemplating buying a brand name one when I came across Lovey Duds on Etsy. She sews these really beautiful pieces of fabrics to the front and makes them so much more fashionable. I can even get away with wearing a maternity tank under one because nobody will ever notice.

Matthew has even taken to wearing this lovely, girly sling around the house. He has a manly Kelty front backpack style carrier but has come to admit that our babies like this one better. I promise to post a picture, should I every be able to sneak up on him and snap one.