Read on to learn the reasons most first-time parents and parents of infants (0-6 months) generally prefer slings, and the Balboa sling in particular. Despite its limits, the sling is a worthwhile accessory for family outings with your new-to-the-world bundle.
Why It’s A Sling Thing
Even a BabyBjorn front carrier can seem a bit complex, with four fasteners and two adjustable straps, especially for those new to sleep deprivation (a.k.a. parenthood). A sling is a throw over your shoulder affair, much like your hip college messenger bag. On the strap-bearing shoulder, through two sturdy rings, a strap with a safety stopper is threaded, providing maximum versatility for multiple wearers. A couple consisting of a five foot spouse and a six-plus foot spouse can use the same $55 sling.
Slings are so simple, and babies 0-6 months love them. They provide the same shape and security of the womb and allow baby’s little legs to curl and fold up like they do reflexively, unlike the Bjorn, which has the legs hanging with gravity.
The Balboa can be accessorized with a nursing cover that fits securely on the sling and comes in complementary fabric choices.
Available Holds With the Balboa Sling
There are four ways to wear your Balboa sling. Three of the four don’t require much of a change in the parent’s positioning of the sling. I use the Balboa’s terminology in describing the sling positions, following each one with a description of how your baby would sit.
There’s the front cradle (baby’s side rests against your tummy/rib cage), the front cuddle (baby facing inward, chest to chest), the front carry (baby facing outward, Bjorn style, but with feet nestled inside the sling’s pouch), and the side carry (legs outside the carrier, butt nestled in the seat-like pouch of the sling).
What Makes Balboa Different from Other Slings
The Balboa sling, retailing for around $55, comes in 11 different fabric choices, which isn’t many, when compared to the peanut shell, mei tai, or other cotton fabric carriers. But people don’t buy a carrier because they love the fabric pattern. After all, it’s a baby carrier, not a duvet.
There are two things that make this particular brand stand out. The first is a cult of personality, the second is an attention to safety.
Dr. William Sears. Ring a bell? How about his wife, Martha, R.N.? Together, they’ve had seven children and helped raise several million more through their trademark books
I have his parenting book
The company that makes the Balboa sling keeps manufacturing and quality control very much in-house. Further, their sling is designed with particular attention to safety, the prevention of improper use, and stop-gap features to prevent accidents. Another plus for new parents!
Limits of a Sling
Although Balboa advertises a hip carry position for this sling, I have tried it and with older children, it’s just not comfortable. Similar to all hip carriers, the more the child weighs and the longer you carry said child, the more your back aches the next day.
That said, a sling is ideally used in a front cradle position for the first six months. This amounts to less than ten dollars a month, $2.50 per week for the comfort of carrying baby while he sleeps, nurses, or just needs to be close to you. The soothing peace both you – the wearer – and baby will get is priceless.
