The first truly natural baby carrier. The Over The Shoulder Baby Holder or "sling" supports your baby in a variety of natural positions, most like mother's arms.
Our Over The Shoulder Baby Holder has a unique fold which creates a hammock effect for the nursing infant or sleeping child.
Carrying an infant close to the heart and its source of nourishment promotes bonding and intimacy...infants feel very secure and thrive.
Ideal for discreet breastfeeding in public.
A 'must have' for attachment style parenting.
To learn more and to view fabrics, click on the links at the far right of this page.

FREE Instructional DVD included with each sling.

Recipient of The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval
For parents looking into methods for carrying their young children close while leaving their hands free, look no further.

• Excellent For Nursing

• Fits Newborn to 3 Years

• Tiny Mom to Huge Dad

• Designer Colors

• Free Instruction DVD
  

The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is rated the top baby carrier by hundreds of baby experts: Lactation consultants, childbirth educators and pediatricians recommend it as a means of encouraging the parent-infant bonding that develops a lifelong sense of security. Physical therapists and chiropractors endorse the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder for its comfort and weight distribution, and for its benefits for your babies posture. Baby authors recommend it for its ease of use; it takes only seconds to put on and put the baby in. The baby can be carried in any natural position: nursing hold, cradle hold, football hold, burping hold, and hip straddle without any re-adjusting. Baby can breastfeed discreetly. Fits both small mom and large dad, and, will fit any baby from newborn to 3 year old. Relaxes baby to sleep, and can be taken off without waking baby.

Top ten reasons for using the
Over the Shoulder Baby Holder

1. Wearing a baby is convenient

When we carry a baby in a sling, we can walk around freely and not have to worry about negotiating steps, crowds or narrow aisles with a stroller. Plastic "baby buckets" and removable car seats are heavy and awkward for parents, babies often look uncomfortable, and they are kept at knee level. A sling can block out excess stimuli when breastfeeding a distractible baby, and it allows for discreet nursing in public places. A sling can also double as a changing pad, blanket, or cushion when away from home. I’ve found my sling especially handy when negotiating busy airports with a small child and several bags!

2. Wearing a baby promotes physical development.

When a baby rides in a sling attached to his mother, he is in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes - walking, bending, and reaching. This stimulation helps him to regulate his own physical responses, and exercises his vestibular system, which controls balance. The Over The Shoulder Baby Holder is in essence a "transitional womb" for the new baby, who has not yet learned to control his bodily functions and movements. Research has shown that premature babies who are touched and held gain weight faster and are healthier than babies who are not. Mechanical swings and other holding devices do not provide these same benefits.

3. Babies worn in slings are happier.

Studies have shown that the more babies are held, the less they cry and fuss. In indigenous cultures where baby-wearing is the norm, babies often cry for only a few minutes a day - in contrast to Western babies, who often cry for hours each day. Crying is exhausting for both the baby and his parents, and may cause long-term damage as the baby’s developing brain is continually flooded with stress hormones. Babies who do not need to spend their energy on crying are calmly observing and actively learning about their environment. Baby-wearing is especially useful for colicky or "high need" babies, who are far happier being worn, but placid, content babies and children will also benefit greatly from the warmth and security of being held close.

4. Baby-wearing is healthy for you!

It can be challenging for new mothers to find time to exercise, but if you carry your baby around with you most of the day or go for a brisk walk with your baby in her Over The Shoulder Baby Holder, you will enjoy the dual benefits of walking and "weightlifting". A long walk in the sling is also an excellent way to help a tired but over-stimulated child fall asleep.

5. Toddlers appreciate the security of the sling.

Slings are usually associated with infants, but they can be very useful for toddlers as well; most slings accommodate children up to 35 or 40 pounds. The world can be a scary place for toddlers, who feel more confident when they can retreat to the security of the sling when they need to do so. Toddlers often become over-stimulated, and a ride in the sling helps to soothe and comfort them before (or after!) a "meltdown" occurs. The Over The Shoulder Baby Holder can be very helpful in places like the zoo, aquarium, or museum, where a small child in a stroller would miss many of the exhibits.

6. Baby-wearing helps you and your baby to communicate with each other.

The more confidence we have in our parenting, the more we can relax and enjoy our children. A large part of feeling confident as a parent is the ability to read our baby’s cues successfully. When we hold our baby close in a sling, we become finely attuned to his gestures and facial expressions. Many baby-wearing parents report that they have never learned to distinguish their baby’s cries because their babies are able to communicate effectively without crying! Every time a baby is able to let us know that she is hungry, bored or wet without having to cry, her trust in us is increased, her learning is enhanced, and our own confidence is reinforced. This cycle of positive interaction enhances the mutual attachment between parent and child, and makes life more enjoyable for everyone.

7. Baby slings are a bonding tool for fathers, grandparents, and other caregivers.

Slings are a useful tool for every adult in a baby’s life. It makes me smile when I see a new father going for a walk with his baby in a sling. The baby is becoming used to his voice, heartbeat, movements and facial expressions, and the two are forging a strong attachment of their own. Fathers don’t have the automatic head-start on bonding that comes with gestation, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make up for this once their baby is born. The same goes for babysitters, grandparents and all other caregivers. Cuddling up close in the sling is a wonderful way to get to know the baby in your life, and for the baby to get to know you!

8. Over The Shoulder Baby Holders are a safe place for a child to be.

Instead of running loose in crowded or dangerous places, a child in a sling is held safe and secure right next to your body. Slings also provide emotional safety when needed, so that children can venture into the world and become independent at their own pace.

9. Slings are economical.

Our Over The Shoulder Baby Holder cost far less than strollers, front-carriers or backpacks. Many mothers consider the baby holder to be one of their most useful and economical possessions.

10. Baby-wearing is fun.

Who doesn’t love to cuddle a precious little baby? And when your baby is older, having her in the Over The Shoulder Baby Holder makes conversations easier and allows you to observe her reactions to the wonders of the world around her. It’s also fun for baby, because when she is up at eye level, other adults notice and interact with her more. Your child will feel more a part of your life when she is in her baby sling, and you will find yourself becoming more and more enchanted with this special little person.