Buying a Baby Sling can be tricky, especially online!

With all the baby slings listed online, choosing 1 maker is confusing and tricky.  It is a scary thing too, not knowing who you are buying from.  I suggest doing lots of reading. There should be plenty of information posted on sizing, wearing and caring for the slings.  Also look for detailed safety instructions.  When using a baby sling with newborns especially there are precautions that need to be taken that are not posted for users to read.  I recommend reading everything pertaining to sling use.  When I bought my first sling, the lady I bought from, on Ebay, was very nice and the sling was sewn great, however, there was no information available on anything.  No wearing instructions and definitely no warnings about positional asphyxia, which is dangerous for newborns.  For more on positional asphyxia, see my Safe Use Guide .  It is extremely important that you know all the risks and how to use the sling before actually putting it on.  When there is little information posted on the website or seller listing, you can be pretty sure you aren't going to receive any with your purchase.  Ask lots of questions, if the seller does not answer or gets impatient or short with you, I think that would be a safe bet that you don't need to shop with that seller.  If they can't answer your questions before you buy, you sure will not receive any help after you have paid.  This goes for all websites, not just on Ebay. 

Now lets talk a little bit about sizing.  If you are purchasing a pouch, native, tube or any other non-adjustable sling, you definitely need to measure your body according to specified directions, for a sample, see my Measuring Guide .  Each maker has their own way of getting to that elusive measurement, and you should go by what they say, **exactly**.  The directions are posted for a reason, and if not followed, then your sling will probably end up wrong.  For buying this type of sling, you definitely need to go by individual sizing, not small, medium, large, etc.  These are ranged sizes and the sling does not fit properly.  To avoid back, neck and shoulder pain and strain, the sling has to be fitted just right.  If you are on the big side of a Medium, that size 26 sling is not going to fit you very well, and you will have to return, or just chalk it up to a horrible way to carry a baby and be done with it.  I don't want that to happen.  People work hard for their money and don't generally like to throw it away.  So please read, read, read..  The way to get a great fit is per person sizing.  Baby wearing is the most wonderful way to travel with a baby, get housework done, and especially breastfeed.  Alot of people are missing out on this because of an incorrect sized sling, and not having support to deal with the adjustment period for babies 2-4 months old.  If you know it is coming and have someone to explain how to get through it, it is not even a period, it is a day or so and that is it.  New users need to be told about these little quirks.  That baby that used to love being cramped at birth and the first month, has now learned that they can stretch out and they like that.  So there is an adjustment period for this age.  If you buy from someone knowledgeable, they can tell you positions and methods for dealing with this to make your baby wearing happy, not miserable.  This is why alot of sling buyers give up, because baby doesn't want their legs inside the sling and they fuss like crazy!!  I myself almost gave in, but I just kept with it, and figured it out, but I had given up on the sling and started to list it for sale and not ever wear another one.  That kind of upsets me, because I would have missed out on all the joyful, precious moments my baby, toddler and I have had using the sling.  Every Mom needs to experience that before making up their mind not to wear their baby.  You know how you love to hold that sleeping, peaceful little bundle of joy.  Just think of them napping in perfect peace in your sling, right there where you can see them, and nurture them whenever, without worrying about what to do next.  My baby is now 15 months, and he falls asleep in the car alot.  Most people with a toddler this size, has to wake the baby and put them into the stroller, car seat, etc, but I just pick him up and put him into the sling and he sleeps until he is ready to wake up,and he isn't ill from missing his nap.  We have gone out to eat and he fell asleep on the way, I just popped him into the sling and he slept until our food came out, and everyone was amazed.  The smell of food woke him up..lol. 

So, please read everything you can get your hands or eyes on before buying a sling online, anywhere.  Be vigilant and ask any and all questions you have.  The customer service you receive before you place your order is a sign of things to come....  My customers are all very happy with their slings and the service they receive, mainly because I want them to be happy.  Happy Mommies and babies are my goal, if that happens then I have done my job.  I wish you lots of luck with your baby sling purchase and I hope to see you buying from me really soon!!!