If you’re already a stylish-sling-mama, then this Sweet Fletcher sling may be for you. If you are a klutsy first-timer who needs to have things spelled out for you, might I suggest a Baby Bjorn.
When the package arrived, my three-week old son was shrieking and I ripped into the package and stuck my arm through the loop expectantly. I grabbed him awkwardly and inserted him… he stopped crying and I was prepared to love it.
When my husband entered the kitchen, he showed me how baby Milo was on the brink of falling through the back side opening. Oops. Then I looked for the instructions. There was just a picture with a happy mom and baby and limited text… it was not helping me to get it right.
For the next few days, I kept the sling with me. It fits so easily into my bag and the promise of a happily worn baby kept me going. Plus its so darn cute.
Finally at the end of the week, Whitney came over to provide her expert assistance. Once we got the baby in approximately-correctly, I still felt like his soft little skull was vulnerable to doorways and sinks so I certainly wasn’t prepared to try and cook or chase Holden around the playground. The issue is that the baby’s head sticks out beyond the profile of my body.
Even as a second time mom, with a higher level of confidence about wearing my baby than I had way back in 2005, I still found the lack of padding and protection frightening. I feel more secure with my little man tied to my body, Moby-wrap style. Maybe when he can sit up in a cross-legged fashion, I’ll give it another shot. For a newborn sling, however, this is just a little too scary for me.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi there. What a beautiful pouch! I just wanted to make a few suggestions that would make it easier for you to wear it.
It looks like it is a little large. I have found that most people prefer their pouches to hang no lower than their belly buttons. It should be a snug fit for your baby but not so tight you can’t get them inside. I think if you can get a smaller fitting pouch, it won’t feel so swingy and insecure.
Also your baby appears to be turned to the side. The main problem with this is that she/he might not get enough air. For safety, it is best if you turn him/her so he/she is facing upward in a slightly reclined position and place a folded receiving blanket underneath to lift him/her so the baby isn’t sitting quite so deep inside the pouch. Their bottoms should be positioned on the seam.
The Babywearer website has a lot of additional information on how to get comfy with your new sling, tips and tweaks and lots of lovely parents and caregivers full of information so check them out.