"S" is for sling

Alexander is, and has always been, a sling baby. I've referred to his baby carriage as "Satan's wagon" (wagon, because the Swedish for his conveyance translates to baby wagon, and I'm more accustomed to calling it a wagon than a carriage or stroller) and that's because he seems to think it is. Mostly he just doesn't like being on his back, I think.

I suspect he'll be happier when I switch to the upright setting for his wagon, but he's a little too young, and well, it is very convenient for me to have the nice solid bassinet that he can sleep in on his belly. He won't be able to do that when I switch and I think I'll really miss having what amounts to a portable bed for him.

Anyway, slings. I wanted to use a sling from the start, because they look cool (yeah, yeah, I admit it) and because I thought it would be easier to deal with twice daily dog walks if I had my hands free. Luckily he liked the slings, because of the scream-fest that putting him on his back in the wagon amounts to, but also because he likes to be carried, and is fast becoming too heavy for me. We mainly use two different ones a "mei tai" which is based on a chinese model I think, and a pouch sling, which is like a big piece of stretchy fabric which folds, forming a pouch for him to either ride in or sit on.

This mei tai style one is my choice for dog walks and just general going out and about. That's the hood of his sweatshirt sticking up at the top, and a tiny fluff of his hair.

Initially he fit in it fetal position (like in the photo below), but now he's big enough that his little legs stick out around my waist. In a few more weeks he'll be strong enough in his neck for me to use it like a backpack. It is sturdy and I can wear it under a maternity coat or over a regular one. Here he is the first or second time I used it. He's in there, you just can't see him!

The pouch one is great for wearing around the house and for lulling him to sleep in. It also folds up small so I can take it with us in the diaper bag, and then if he gets angry with being in his car seat during, say grocery shopping, I can carry him and still have my hands free. It has three parts, so I can sort of distribute his weight, but it makes me sore if I wear him in it for too long. He used to actually fit in it like a pouch, but now I just tuck it under his butt and let his legs hang. He likes it more this way, now that he's older and not so into the fetal position.