Click thumbnail to view larger, illustrated image.
Babble Best: Baby Slings
Having a new baby is kind of like waking up with an extra appendage — suddenly, you're charged with figuring how to lug it around while you go about your business. For eons, new parents have been wearing babies as a way to bond with them while getting stuff done. With so many baby slings to choose from, there's no excuse to blow off the dishes. We test drove the hottest baby carriers and slings on the market, and bring you our top five picks. — Vivian Manning-Schaffel
ERGO Baby Carrier — $105
My physical therapist swore up and down that this carrier was the best of the bunch — and she was right. The sturdy, adjustable shoulder straps are suitable for wearers on both ends of the vertical spectrum, and are situated so that it's hard to screw up the "installation" process. Made of durable canvas and available in a small variety of colors and funky linings, infants can be worn in front (an infant insert supports the head of very young riders), or as a backpack for toddlers. The only downside is the prohibitive price point, but cute design, ample back support and ease of use make it well worth the extra sheckles.
Get it from Ergobabycarriers.com.
Get it from Amazon.
Baby Slings: Runners-Up
Infantino Sling Rider — $29.99
The most affordable carrier of the lot, the Sling Rider (available in black with a toile lining) is lightly padded for extra comfort and warmth, and has mesh side panels that help alleviate a new parent's suffocation neuroses. Baby is fastened securely with a Velcro T-strap around the crotch to keep them from sliding and flipping into inopportune positions. The adjustable shoulder strap readily accommodates both tall and short wearers, and side storage pockets are a handy way to stash keys, cash and credit cards.
Get it from Amazon.
New Native Baby Carrier — $52.00 - $160.00
Constructed of breathable, sturdy cotton, the New Native Baby Carrier comes in a few groovy patterns and designs. Available in small, medium and large sizes, this sling is essentially a fabric panel cut and sewn at an angle to wear over one shoulder and the opposite hip. It may not be adjustable, but it fits neatly into your diaper bag and is great for discreet nursing. Available in organic 100% cotton and a variety of silks.
Get it from newnativebaby.com.
Hotslings — $30 - $150
Like the New Native, Hotslings are free of snaps, buckles and rings — just select your size, hoist over your shoulder, fold in your sweetie and hit the road. These slings are padded with a little extra cushioning around the edge, so they don't cut into a sitting baby's knees. Available in the widest variety of fabric categories, including "Everyday," "Designer," "Haute," and "Men's," these slings are a great way to add a little something-something to those "in between" outfits.
Get it from hotslings.com.
Moby Wrap — $39.95 - $69.95
Made of the softest cotton, this sling is daunting at first, for it appears to be merely a very long panel of fabric that requires the draping expertise of a Project Runway finalist. However, once the art of the wrap is mastered, its unique brand of breathable support makes for quite a comfy ride. Two new sub-brands, Moby D and Moby Select, present the wrap in a greater variety of fabrics and prints — including one with UV protection.
Get it from Mobywrap.com.