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| |    Slings: Great for Warm, Cozy Contact by Susan E. Davis reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. These often-colorful baby carriers consist of a soft pouch that is worn across the chest or stomach and a strap of fabric that hooks over one shoulder and then around the back. They are especially comfy for newborns because they can keep babies in a semi-reclining, fetal position. Older infants can ride in them upright, and toddlers can use them to support themselves while riding on an adult's hip. Slings can be fairly comfortable for adults to wear, and many mothers have found that they can breastfeed fairly discreetly while their baby is tucked inside one. They also look pretty darn groovy and provide the warmth and body contact that little ones crave, which can be invaluable for soothing them during fussy periods. The main drawback of slings is that using them is truly an art and a science and most parents need lessons, either from a sling distributor or a veteran parent, to make these carriers work correctly. Even then, it can take several weeks to figure out how to get the babies in and out of the slings gracefully (not to mention safely). (At a sling class I took with my son, all four newborns were shrieking as the exhausted moms tried to position them correctly, but eventually all of us got the hang of it.) Additionally, bearing the weight of baby all on one shoulder can get uncomfortable for some parents, especially as their baby gets bigger. (Unlike front packs and backpacks, slings have no hip belts to distribute your baby's weight, although switching the shoulder on which you wear the sling frequently can help alleviate muscle strain.) The best slings have rings and pleats that allow you to adjust the sling to best fit you and your baby, but you may still find yourself making adjustments over and over when your baby is actually inside the sling. And no slings offer safety straps to keep a baby from falling. That means you have to be very careful to never lean over when wearing your baby in a sling (experts advise bending at the knees, rather than the waist, which is better for your back anyway). Once you master sling mechanics, however, they can be extremely useful. My newborn son now falls asleep as soon as he's in his cozy sling nest, which leaves my hands free for, well, taking care of his older sister, folding laundry, and cleaning up the kitchen. When shopping for a baby sling, look for
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