extra hands anyone???

When I had my son, I had never seriously considered a sling. They are not readily available here and the one time I had an opportunity to buy one when my daughter was a baby, it was in a second hand baby store. It had no instructions for use and I quickly passed it up in favor of a Snugglie. I remember thinking how unsafe it looked. My thoughts at the time were that it would be too easy for a baby to fall out.

Then shortly after I had my son, I got hold of a copy of The Baby Book by Dr. William and Martha Sears. I read the chapter on baby wearing and came to the realization that this could possibly be the most useful baby carrier I have ever come across. That is, if I could come across one.
I went upon a quest to find a sling for Donovan. There were no slings available locally so I went onto the Internet. I found the OTSBH to be the most recommended sling available. After finding it came in 3 sizes and a ton of different colors, I was sold. A couple days later I was the proud owner of a large rainbow tie-die OTSBH. Within a week I was wondering how I ever lived without it.

PRODUCT DETAILS:
The OTSBH is a long piece of strong cotton fabric that wraps around you and hangs from one shoulder. It has two rings that fasten it and provide for adjustment. The "tail" hangs from the rings and is used to tighten the sling and snug the baby in. On the end of the tail there is another ring that stops the sling from coming completely apart in the event you over loosen it. I should say here that these are very sturdy rings. In fact, I would say that you will be able to use the sling until you think the baby is too heavy to carry without having to worry that your OTSBH is going to give out.

The sling is nice and wide where you carry your child. In fact the company claims that it is the widest of any commercially available sling available. There is a really nice thick shoulder pad for your comfort and along both sides there is a very nice thick padded railing to help keep the baby in.

HOW I USE IT:

This sling is so easy to use. I can't wait for summer to come so I can take him for walks in it. Right now I use it when I go to the store to grocery shop and around the house.

The thing I like best about this type of carrier is the versatility. I can carry Donovan in so many ways. When he was real little I carried him lying down, all snuggled up inside it in the cradle position, As he got older and wanted to look around more, I carried him in a bit more upright position and eventually in a front facing position which DR. Sears dubs the kangaroo hold. When he is sleeping I can snuggle him up facing me or laying in a semi upright position. I can also carry him on my hip.

A lot of people even nurse their baby in the sling and if you find (as I do quite often) that your baby has gone to sleep in the sling, it is very easy to wiggle out of the sling without waking the baby up. It makes a great place to put your baby down on to change him or just to sleep and play, and you can wash it in your washing machine, though you should hang it to dry so it doesn't shrink.

I really don't know how I got along without this wonderful carrier. I recommend it highly to anyone who has a baby.