I use it daily and couldn't live without it

This is by far the one item I couldn't live without! I still use it everyday and my baby is almost nine months old. It is the most convenient way to carry a baby and still be able to "get something done." It enables me to hold my baby while bathing the dog, shopping, carrying groceries, folding laundry, watering my flowers, weed-eating, preparing food, taking a walk, talking to my neighbors, etc.

It does take some practice to get comfortable using it, which is mostly trial and error. There's no one right way to put your baby in it. This flexibility, although kind of intimidating at first, is one of the sling's best features! There are four different ways I can use it now to carry my 8.5-month-old, depending on what her needs are.

This sling includes a comprehensive booklet with illustrations that describes the four or five basic ways to carry a baby in the sling. My baby didn't like all of the positions, and it was truly trial and error to find the positions that she liked best. Don't let that discourage you, because the payoff is so great once you get the hang of using it!

Initially, my daughter (at five weeks) hated this thing. I would put her in it and she would cry. I acclimated her to the sling by putting her in it for a minute or two at a time while walking with her and giving her my pinky (our "digital pacifier"). After four attempts, she started to like it. I gradually increased the time she was in the sling. After about two weeks, she she'd spend an hour or two at a time in it. She still loves it.

It's washable and dryable, soft, comfortable for baby and mom, foldable, light-weight, convenient, and fun. I've washed mine a half dozen times and it holds up well. I like it better than some other brands because the fabric is lighter and less hot. Thicker fabric would be less hammock-like and provide more support for the baby (try an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder).

The baby rides kind of scrunched up in it in most positions, which looks kind of uncomfortable. But it really is like a hammock, which I've experienced myself as very comfortable. My daughter acts as though she's really comfortable in the sling, despite looking scrunched up.

It's really portable and easy to stuff into a diaper bag or just "sling" over your shoulder and go. Once you learn how to use it, it takes just seconds to get the baby into it and comfortable. No straps, buckles, snaps, etc. to contend with.

My daughter is now about 20 lbs. and it is still comfortable for me to use the sling up to an hour at a time a few times a day. I also have a Baby Bjorn and I like the sling better. The Bjorn places all the weight right on the tops of your shoulders. The sling distributes the weight between your shoulder and across your back. It's much more comfortable. I can only use the Bjorn for a very short period of time now and rarely do anymore.

The sling is also more secure and nest-like compared to the Bjorn. Your baby rides inside it rather than just hanging out there off your chest. My daughter preferred the security of the sling when we were away from home.

Supposedly, you can also use it to breastfeed. I think large-breasted women will find this difficult (I did). But a friend of mine can use her sling to breastfeed discreetly, HANDS FREE, while walking around the grocery store. How's that for convenient??

You will also draw a lot of positive attention to your baby while in the sling. People will stop and talk to him and marvel at how cute he is peeking out of it. They'll say "what a unique way to carry him" and "where can I buy one for my sister?" Some people will voice concern about him being so scrunched up or that he'll fall out. I get "Aren't you afraid you'll drop her?" a lot. My response always is, "Yes, that's why I carry her in the sling."

I cannot say enough about the sling. It's so great if you're the kind of mommy who wants to hold and have your baby close all of the time. It's even better if you have a baby that DEMANDS it! I'll be really sad when my baby is done being carried and I can no longer use it!