Perfect for baby and parent!

First, about me. I'm 5 feet tall and weigh about 110 pounds. My son is 12 pounds and 21 inches (just over 2 months old) at the time of this review.

The Over The Shoulder Baby Holder (OTSBH) comes in 4 different sizes based on your height and weight. They also can do custom sizes.
1. PETITE -- truly under 5' tall and 70 to 120 lbs.
2. REGULAR -- 110 to 190 pounds.
3. LONG -- 140 to 250 lbs, and/or over 5'10" tall.*
4. EXTRA LONG -- over 250 lbs. These slings are 6" longer than a long.

I bought the petite size.

They come in a variety of fabrics (30) - all lightweight and breathable. There is an option to use your own fabric - just send them your fabric.

The rings are made of nylon so they will not break or heat up in the sun.

The sling has a generously padded shoulder and padded panels that firmly support your baby's head in certain positions.

You can place the baby in at least 5 different positions:
1. Horizontally for sleeping or nursing
2. Kangaroo style for looking out
3. Facing your chest for snuggling
4. On your hip for hip rides
5. behind you back-pack style

You can't place a newborn in all of these positions, nor a baby that can't hold it's head up yet.

As soon as I received my sling, I took it out, looked at the picture with the baby lying horizontally and put the sling on and my baby inside in about 2 minutes! I didn't even read the instructions or watch the video.

You can buy an instructional video ($5.00) which shows you how to use and care for your sling - I watched it and would recommend getting it.

After watching the video, the second time it only took me 4 seconds to put the sling on and 15 seconds to put my son in it!

Once you have it on and your baby inside you can easily make it more snug by slightly lifting your baby up to take the weight off the rings, then pulling down on the strap. To loosen, again, support your baby's weight then pull up on the rings or down on the fabric.

To take it off, if your baby is in the horizontal position you can lay him down while still in the sling then slip it off. Or, put your arms inside the sling, scoop him up and lift him out. If needed, you can pull up on the rings to loosen the sling.

If it gets dirty, just throw it in the washer and dryer! It won't get twisted up because of the way it is sewn together.

I've worn him in his sling in the horizontal position while shopping, cooking, and writing this review!! Once, I fell forward with him in the sling - he was so secure he didn't touch the ground nor did he even wake up!! His head did not move at all! Had I been wearing the front style carrier (Bjorn) he would have gotten whip lash.

It took me about 2 mintues to get him out of his car seat and into the sling while sitting in the back seat of my car. Even though it was 90 degree outside, we both stayed cool because the fabric is lightweight and acts as a soft barrier between us (no part of our bodies were touching each other). I had him in the sling for over an hour and he never felt heavy nor did my back hurt - like it did with the Bjorn carrier.

The only challenge is nursing on your non-dominant side. If you always carry your baby in your left arm, then switching to the other side is always a bit awkward (even without the sling).

I highly recommend this particular sling!!

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Updated information (Jan 3, 2003)

I have more awesome news about my sling! Now my baby is 8 months old and weighs 18 pounds and I'm still using the sling. Now I put him in the hip position where he rides on my hip sitting up and looking around. He absolutely loves it! He swats me when he gets excited! After carrying him on my hip for about half an hour, he gets tired. Without removing the sling or him from the sling, I simply reposition him to the horizontal lying down position - with his feet poking out on one end.

And guess what else! I flew with my son and wore the sling and since I was holding him in my lap, I used the sling to secure him to me as a seat belt!! I was carrying him in the hip position, then when I sat down, I moved him in front of me and sat him on my lap without removing the sling. Then I pulled the sling down around my waist, and around his waist then tightened it by pulling the strap. When he fell asleep, I loosened the sling a little and repositioned him so he was cradled him in my arms - the sling provided padding for his head and provided cover to keep him warm! Amazing!! I could have sold a hundred of these on the plane!

p.s. I have to admit I have 2 slings! I got them at babymain.com!