We’ve gone almost 6 months exclusively using a sling to carry Zevry. There have been one or two times when I’ve thought it would be really nice to have him in a buggy, but for the most part the sling has been convenient and easy. And I’ve been reluctant to buy a buggy for 3 reasons:
1. Good ones are expensive – around $750 expensive.
2. They take up a lot of space.
3. I keep thinking if I can hold out just a little longer, I can get one designed for an older child, and I won’t have to get the special newborn one.
But Zev’s getting bigger now – weighs in at about 17 pounds – and that’s a lot to carry around as I explore London’s finest attractions. So a friend of mine loaned me her buggy for the week, since she will be out of town. I used it for the 10 minute walk from her house to mine yesterday, and it was fine. Zev kept peeking up at me through the little window, which was funny, but I kind of missed having him close to my face. It made me realize just how much he and I chat and look at each other as we walk along. We were scheduled to go on a 2 hour walk today, so I decided it was a good time to give the buggy a workout. Zevry wasn’t crazy about riding in it, but he was ok, and eventually fell asleep. I however, hated every second of it. The buggy is a really nice, 3 wheel jogger, and it is reasonably lightweight and very easy to steer. But I felt like I was constantly about to run into someone, and going up and down off curbs is a pain! I was worried about waking up the boy, about rain getting all over him (you can buy a rain cover too), and how warm or cold he was. Plus, in a large group it was hard to stay out of the way. After our walk we went for a hot chocolate and getting the buggy upstairs was a hassle, and then parking the buggy with my 5 friends and their buggies was a giant pain!
So here is what rocks about slings:
1. They’re cheap. I use my sling every single day and it cost about $60 – that’s about 22 cents a day for the first 6 months.
2. Slings are totally adjustable for multiple wearers, and to accommodate the baby as he grows.
3. I can wear Zevry while he sleeps, eats (breastfeeds), or just rides.
4. Everyone, and I mean everyone, comments on the sling. Seriously – I get stopped at least once a day, and usually 4 or 5 times by people asking about the sling, commenting on the baby, etc. This has been nice for me because I get lots of compliments on how cute the baby is, but more importantly Zevry has learned to interact with strangers and friends and he is one of the more social babies I know. Supposedly, studies show his language abilities might be stronger because he has a much better view of mouth movement, and many more people talk directly to him instead of looking down at him or ignoring him in his buggy.
5. I think he has a much better view. Instead of staring up at the sky and a few building tops, he sees things from my perspective. This has allowed me to really share my world with him. I am always telling him what we’re looking at – in the grocery store, at the museum, wherever.
6. It is so much easier for me. I rarely walk with him more than 3 or 4 hours. If I am out for the day with him, we might go for a few hours, but then we typically sit for awhile – on the bus or the train, or in a cafe, so it is rare that I get tired. And it is so easy to do everything. I can manouever through crowds, stores, and tight spots. I can easily take the bus or train, or even a 12 hour plane ride to the States! I can clean, eat, or use the computer!
7. I feel like I am providing him with a safe, cozy, and happy place to experience the world, with his Mommy or Daddy right there to explain it all to him, protect him, and love him. He gets my warmth when it is cold, he feels my heartbeat when he is scared, and he can be soothed to sleep when he is tired after only a few steps of walking.
For anyone out there who has a baby, or is having a baby, please consider using a sling – I think you’ll love it, and I think your baby will too!