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Damn Baby Sling

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One Wannabe Babywearer's Frustrations with the Ring Sling

I recently purchased a Mamaway Ring Sling after reading about all the supposed benefits of babywearing. I watched the DVD that came with it and tried it out. WHAT A NIGHTMARE! The baby hates it and I feel like I'm torturing, not nuturing him.

I spent hours on-line at various sites viewing and reading instructional materials--all to no avail.

Surely I'm not the only one? If you are in the same boat, perhaps this lens will help you. If you are thinking of a sling, I hope this will help you make a more-educated decision on what sling to buy or whether to buy an alternative baby-wearing device.

The best advice I have to offer, however, is do not buy a sling without having somebody teach you -- IN PERSON -- how to use it properly. I will try to list resources that can help put you in touch with such a person.

Why Wear A Baby?

It sounds kinda grotesque: wearing a baby. Images of Ed Gein, Jeffrey Dahmer, and "Buffalo Bill" from Silence of the Lambs might come to mind. But that's not what proponents of baby wearing hope to convey and their is no need to run in horror if someone tells you that they wear their baby.

Baby wearing is a recently-coined English term that refers to the ancient practice of carrying an infant or young child in slings, wraps, pouches, backpack-like devices or anything else that allows the wearers hands to be free.

Below are the more common reasons folks promote "wearing" your baby.

Carried babies cry less. Unless, of course, it is my baby who screams like I'm torturing him with red-hot brands until I remove him from the sling.

I've read that it takes time for the baby to adjust, but how long am I supposed to walk around with an upset wailing baby. Makes me want to run to a store and get a strappy soft carrier and toss the sling away.
Babies sleep better. Note, some argue that they not only sleep more, they over sleep. See "arguments against," below. I wouldn't know, my son is unable to fall asleep in a sling. He is too busy screaming for me to take him out.
Frees the wearers hands. With a sling you can carry a needy infant and even breastfeed while using your hands to take care of other kids, read a magazine, wash the dishes, work on the computer, etc. Well, you can if you not using them trying to sooth an infant upset about being confined in a sling.
Babies that are carried more grow faster.
Babies that are worn bond to people better. Baby wearing is promoted by those who believe in attachment parenting.

Arguments FOR Slings

Why wear your baby in a sling?

Supposedly they are simple to use. I must be an idiot. The learning curve seems quite high, especially if you don't have someone experienced with slings to help you out in the beginning. But I keep reading how easy they are.
Makes it easier to breastfeed discreetly in public. Pull down the back "rail" and pull up the front "rail" and voila! Happy suckling baby and no one is the wiser. You can't do that with a baby backpack or stroller.
Slings are cheap! Slings usually cost much less than fancy, strappy, backpack-type carriers.

The World's Best Slings

(slings only please)

I bought a Mamaway sling (www.mamaway.com). Did I make a poor decision? Are all my problems due to purchasing the wrong sling? Do you LOVE your sling? Then vote for it. If is isn't listed here, please add it. It is easy to do. Take this module and post it on you blog, lets find out what the best slings are.

Please do not submit other baby carriers. My problem is with a sling. Maybe I should just buy a Baby Bjorn carrier, but that's another discussion. For this poll, slings only please.

Damn Baby Sling

One Wannabe Babywearer's Frustrations with the Ring Sling

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Why Wear A Baby?

Arguments FOR Slings

Why wear your baby in a sling?

The World's Best Slings

(slings only please)

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Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.

Voila! Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!

Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.

Babywear Promoting Babywearing

Arguments AGAINST Slings

Giving Up on the Sling?

Best alternatives to slings for the determined babywearer.

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Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.

Voila! Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!

Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.

Can I Find Help on You Tube

These people make it look easy...I hate them.

Best Sling Resources in Print or Burned to Disk

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Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.

Voila! Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!

Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.

Best On-line Resources to Learn About Slings

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