Average Price: $47
Availability: Available direct from TaylorMadeSlings.com, or through various online stores.
Rating:
Product Link: Taylor Made Sling
Prior to giving birth, I had settled on a Moby wrap, and had it all ready to go. I had practiced with a stuffed animal, and was quite proficient with it. I hadn’t considered the idea that my baby might hate it, finding that it took too long to have him securely in place, that sometimes he was squished or not supported very well and that I had to take him out to re-wrap the wrap. He was also less than pleased that the breast was not immediately available the second he started to fuss. Not quite ready to give up on baby-wearing, but not ready to trudge on through with an unhappy baby, I started investigating the options.

Most ring-slings that I found seemed gaudy or awkward, or horribly overpriced until I came across the Taylor Made ring sling in basic cotton chambray or muslin. I immediately placed my order, and had the sling in my hands a few short days later.

The shoulder of the Taylor Made sling is generously pleated and can spread out quite wide, even over my broad shoulders. The cloth is pleasantly textured and becomes softer with wear; it slides smoothly between the rings for adjusting, yet locks into place firmly with no risk of slippage with even a heavier baby. The extra tail made nursing discretely very simple– whereas nursing covers scream out “I am nursing!” there is very little way to know if the baby in a sling is nursing or simply sleeping.

The sling definitely had quality and convenience going for it. But would my baby accept it? I tried the nursing hold first, and it was an immediate success. I was suddenly able to nurse hands-free, which was an amazing relief during the weeks where my little one was cluster-feeding or simply unconsolable unless he had the breast within easy reach. When he went through a period of time where he’d spit up if he was laid down, I simply hiked him up into an upright hold, and he was able to keep his meals down.

Because the sling is soft breathable cotton that adjusts quickly to allow the little one to nurse at a moment’s notice, he learned to accept baby wearing easily and without fuss.

The instruction manual that came with the carrier was one of the most thorough I had seen, with clear well-illustrated instructions, and a great troubleshooting section. If the troubleshooting section doesn’t answer your question, the website makes it easy to contact TaylorMade. I recieved an immediate response to my query, and it quickly helped me answer the question that I had about wearing the Taylor Made sling with a smaller body and larger breasts.

As the little one became less “little”, I found other carriers to offer more back support, but for those early newborn days I wouldn’t consider using anything but a ring sling, and Taylor Made’s ring slings offer amazing quality for great value.

Pros:

• Detailed instruction manual with a comprehensive troubleshooting section
• Helpful and responsive customer support quickly offers suggestions to improve your experience if you have questions or need additional troubleshooting support
• Fabric slides easily through the rings for adjusting, but the rings lock tightly over the fabric to prevent the sling from loosening or tightening on its own. I wear th

Cons:

• Cannot provide as much back support as a carrier that uses both shoulders.