I have never been a big fan of baby carriers. I mean, I like the idea in principle, the idea of having the baby close to you at all times and reinforcing the bond between mother and baby, but the practical side...actually WEARING the thing is a nightmare.


With my first baby, I borrowed a baby carrier from a friend. I only used it the once as I hated it. I hated the restriction of movement that I had and the strain that the sling put on my back. I was also really worried that if I was to fall over, It would do the baby a lot of good!


By the time my second baby was born, I had noticed that a different type of carrier had come on the market, the sling. This type of carrier is worn across the body and is not rigid like traditional carriers. The Better Baby sling is basically a long strip of material, which fastens to form a loop, and has padded edges to protect the baby. Depending on the age of the baby, you can use the sling in different ways. For a newborn baby, you can cradle them closely in the sling, with the material providing a discreet shield when breastfeeding. For older children, the sling can be used like a seat, cradling their botty snugly as they sit up, keeping your arms free for other things.


I loved the whole idea of the Better Baby sling and duly paid my £30 and waited for it to arrive. I must admit, my heart sank when I realised it was just a padded strip of material. It seemed very expensive for what it was, and I'm sure that anyone with even basic sewing skills could whip up something similar for a couple of quid.


The sling comes with a video, as well as instructions on the different ways to carry the baby. I didn't really find it as natural as I had hoped, and had to adjust the sling a lot before I found a suitable position. Even then, I didn't really feel that the baby was very secure and was really concerned about the potential for accidents when using this product. It was only really suitable for carrying the baby short distances, such as to the local shops, or for carrying the baby round the house. I wouldn't have been happy using it on a big day out, as I think that both me and the baby would have soon felt uncomfortable.


One big advantage of the sling is that it allows really good privacy when breastfeeding, and you can feed in public without anyone realising what you are doing. This is good, as it is not always easy to find somwhere convenient to feed, or if male friends and relatives are visiting, you can still feed the baby without feeling awkward.


I found the sling easier as a carrier when my daughter was a bit older and could support herself better, although I didn't really use it as much as I had originally hoped. I got lots of admiring comments from people about the appearance of the sling, and on the plus side, I never felt any strain on my back or shoulders when using the sling.


In the end, I gave the sling away to a friend, dissappointed in how much it cost and how little use I had got out of it. £30 for a padded strip of material makes me feel like a bit of a mug. New parents, don't be sucked in by everything that looks like a good idea. Look for recommendations for people who have actually tried the product first. This product looks lovely, but just isn't all that practical.