Thursday, February 9, 2012

Organized New Mom Tip # 22: Learn to Use a Baby Sling (By Yourself)

Rockin' a baby sling is fantastic for a new mom (or dad). It’s hands-free, better on the back, and it keeps your little one close, which is right where he or she wants to be anyway.  When Will first came home, I wore him every day, all the while thinking how I was knocking this new mommy thing out of the park.
THEN, my husband went back to work, and I realized my crucial mistake: I didn’t learn how to put Will in the sling by myself. I remember standing over him and holding the empty sling, watching him coo happily on the bed. The only thing I was wearing is what must have been a very perplexed expression on my face.
Of course I eventually just taught myself how to sling him on my own, but it took a lot of practice before I felt like I wasn’t going to drop the little guy on his noggin in the process.  I needed a spotter for what seemed like the first hundred times, the whole while cursing myself for not learning this when my husband was at home with me those first few days.
Even if it does take a lot of practice for you too, I recommend you keep trying until you’re a slinging ninja. Once I felt confident enough, it was liberating to be able to strap him on by myself and walk out the door with two free hands. I also recommend you learn how to sling from the back seat of the car. Grocery shopping is so much more pleasant with a sleeping baby cuddled up next to you.
I thought about including a list of instructions for how I slung my baby on my own, but quickly became aware of the dozens of different types of baby slings on the market today, and of course they all have different safety recommendations for wearing your baby safely. I don’t want to get sued for teaching you the wrong way, so just be sure to read the instructions for your own baby wearing contraption.

Both Mama and Baby Lovin' the Baby Sling
P.S. Buy the Gumdrop Pacifier from my store