please recommend a sling/carrier for my sil

[Aerynne]

My sil is expecting her first baby in March. I would like to buy her a sling. I'm thinking very lightly padded, metal rings, and something sophisticated looking. but I'm open to other suggestions. She's a more "fashionable" person than I am- clothes are always in style, etc. She's small (maybe 5'3" and wears a size 4 I think, well, at least when she's not pg). She's good with kids but thinks we're a little over the top with the whole AP thing, but I think she'd like a sling if she'd give it a try. So my plan is to buy her a baby gift of: a sling, The Baby Book, a tube of lansinoh, and a platypus bag (mine was so great for nursing in the first several months). So what sling or carrier would you recommend? If you need more info to recommend a sling, you can ask more questions.

[Mama Rophe]

I have a mamaroo sling. Its close to a wrap, but it is really easy to use. They come in many different colors. The website is mamaroo.com

[kris10s]

I am a fan of completely unpadded ring slings for newborns.

Is she simple/classic fashionable? Then I'd get her a black stretch sateen unpadded sling with silver aluminum rings. Simple, elegant, a true workhorse sling.

A lot of sling makers are now doing cool slings with fabric accents, which might be fun if she is fashionable in a more bold way.

I would look at places like http://www.sleepingbaby.net/slings4.html and http://soulbabynychome.blogspot.com/ for ideas. I love the fabrics you can find at places like http://www.jcarolinecreative.com

I just made myself a raspberry stretch sateen sling lined in disco dots (http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1030-000910-004&Category_Code=1030_99&Product_Count=8), so that's what you see in the tail. It's really fun!

[kris10s]

Here's a good example of a fashionable sling:
http://www.mommycouture.com/catalog.php?item=6&catid=1&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D1
(I'd pay extra for the aluminum rings)

Or (by the same WAHM) here:
http://www.mommabirdsnest.com/hip-baby-slings.htm

[Aerynne]

Wow, those are some pretty ones. I'll have to think about which one to do, but I had no idea they made slings that fancy.

[LauraK]

I loved my wise woman sling for my baby when she was first born.

http://www.wisewomansling.com/

It is adjustable and easy to use. She has great fabrics too.

[TulipMama]

FWIW, I've found a sling is a good gift for the mama who leans more conventional or the mama who leans more alternative. It can be used more or less and slings HAVE become more "mainstream" than they used to be.

[Katigre]

I'm the same size as your SIL and due about the same time. I tend to be very fashion-conscious about how things look--and i do NOT like how ring slings look. To me they look bulky and uneven (even the unpadded ones like a Maya). Even though i know in my head that they are nice, i don't want to own one b/c i hate how they look when worn.

But i love how pouches look, and they're a lot less complicated. I'm going to get a Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece pouch for this baby--and if he/she ends up liking the sling then i'll branch out from there. But for a new mom an adjustable pouch is the most streamlined look.

[Aerynne]

Do you have a link for the Kangaroo Korner pouch? It sounds intriguing.

[kris10s]

I wouldn't consider a maya fashionable at all :giggle Ring slings have a wide range of looks.

Something like a silk zolo, yes.

www.zolowear.com

[mamaKristin]

*gasp* those zolo's are gorgeous! I wish I could sew, I would have such a sling collection!

[Katigre]

The Zolo's are one of the more fashionable ring slings--they're gorgeous material.

http://www.kangarookorner.com/k_shop_pouches_custom.shtml

[expatmom]

I tend to be very fashion-conscious about how things look--and i do NOT like how ring slings look. To me they look bulky and uneven (even the unpadded ones like a Maya). Even though i know in my head that they are nice, i don't want to own one b/c i hate how they look when worn.

I get what you mean. Ring slings have so much fabric & kind of take over. I think pouches blend in more. I'm still debating which one to buy, and I like the look of the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch. :tu I'm trying to figure out if I could just make it myself? :shrug