"Here's a rundown on the best baby slings and how to get them. My absolute favorite is the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. It's unbelievably comfortable and comes in really nice fabrics. It's two-ring design adjusts easily to fit a variety of wearers, although it comes in sizes for added assurance of a perfect fit. The padding and even distribution of baby's weight contribute to its all-day comfort, and it works for newborns up to four-year olds."
Lisa McCourt, Author, 101 Ways to Raise a Happy Baby

"Some of the advantages of the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder that I choose to highlight include: Simple design makes for easy on-and-off. When baby falls asleep, it can be easily removed so that baby stays asleep. Many carrying positions as baby grows. Useful for years: Fits newborn through age three. Serves as a cover-up for breastfeeding in public, so no one's the wiser. More fabric and padding that other brands."
Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, Author, The Breastfeeding Answer Book

"I recommend baby wearing with a sling to all new moms. I recommend the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder as the sling to get."
Kathleen Huggins, Author, The Nursing Mothers Companion

"Until babies voluntarily begin to climb off their parents laps, their nature requires that they be inconstant human contact, awake and asleep. I can recommend the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder for its comfort and versatility."
Jean Liedloff, Author, The Continuum Concept

"The great step forward of the past few decades may well be not the microchip but the baby sling. I have never seen a child crying in one."
Times Literary Supplement, London

"Of all the sample carriers and slings I've tried for this article, the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is my favorite. In other words, you've made a sale; I want one for my little Jack."
Barbie Ludovise, Author

"The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is my favorite sling as its fabric is wider and makes a much bigger pouch for my 11 month old. The OTSBH has added advantages of a nylon rod in the tail to prevent it from slipping through the rings if the sling is worn incorrectly, more padding on the sides, a drawstring gathering on the padded shoulder, and flame-resistant batting."
Kathy Ireland, editor, Continuum Network Newsletter

"The response to the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder has been outstanding! We highly recommend this product due to the quality, durability, and affordability it represents."
Marci Home, American Red Cross

"Babies crave close contact to their mother. They are more contented, secure and less fussy when they feel the natural movement of their mother's body. The sling carrier, "Over the Shoulder Baby Holder" allows mother to provide this intimacy while freeing-up her arms to handle everyday activities."
Francis A. Duda, M.D.

"At the Romanian orphanage where I work, infants typically spend more than twenty three hours each day in a crib. Over the Shoulder Baby Holders make it possible for us to carry a child with us constantly while in team meetings and doing chores. The fact that your design requires the infant to constantly adjust to the movements of the adult provides stimulation for their otherwise grossly delayed motor development."
Grace Caruso, Ph.D.

"I had been sexually abused as a young child and I think this trauma kept me from seeking attachment with my first two babies. With my third baby, I got one of your slings and we became attached. I was then able to connect with my first two children. I am grateful to Over the Shoulder Baby Holder for its simple yet vital assistance to moms to evolve into attached parents. I have used other brands of slings and feel Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is the most user-friendly, and darn cute, too."
Linda, IBCLC, Doula, Childbirth Educator, Bereavement Specialist

"As a Chiropractor, I am constantly getting new mothers with upper and lower back pain from carrying their babies the wrong way (the one-hip prop is the most common). The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder really helps to eliminate a lot of these problems. The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder also helps the child's posture, which will definitely help as the child grows to adulthood."
Antoinette M. Kotchounian, D.C.

"After discovering the multiple uses and benefits of the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder, it has become the only infant carrier that our store sells. The holder is easy to use and puts the baby in a natural nursing position."
Deborah McIntyre, Childbirth Educator, Family Resource Center

"My clients frequently describe their Over the Shoulder Baby Holders as 'A Lifesaver'--- particularly for the colicky baby.
Kathleen G. Auerbach, PhD, IBCLC

"We would recommend the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder in a heartbeat. We found it to be the most natural, secure and loving way to carry a baby outside the womb."
Jean Zanni, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator

"Thank you for the opportunity to make Over the Shoulder Baby Holders available to our WIC participants and staff. Your slings have been a great hit with both our employees and our participants! Our employees model the sling (using a doll) while teaching our participant breastfeeding classes."
Wendy McGrail, MPH, RD, WIC, Senior Nutritionist

"Over the Shoulder Baby Holders help pregnant and parenting women who are recovering from alcoholism and addictive diseases to better bond, touch and breastfeed. Using this sling increases their confidence and decreases post-partum depression."
Mary Earhart, RN, Perinatal Coordinator, Recovery Center

"The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder provides the perfect solution for my "modest moms" on the go."
Janett Burruel, The Nurtury

"I am a midwife and I recommend the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder to all my clients. If I could receive only one baby gift, I would make it an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder."
Jacquelyn Griggs, RN, IBCLC, Midwife

"Our hospital recommends the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder in our prenatal classes and our post-partum breastfeeding class. The design is simple and does not inflict any significant pressure over one area of the breast which may impact the potential for plugged ducts and mastitis in breastfeeding moms (like the straps on other carriers)."
Marcy Benvenuto, RNCCE, IBCLC

"I love both using my Over the Shoulder Baby Holder and recommending I to new parents because human babies love being held. Babies need many kinds of stimulation for optimal growth and development. Tactile, vestibular, auditory, visual…This type of stimulation is vital for preemies in the neonatal intensive care unit helping to stabilize their heart and breathing."
Michelle Ingels, LLC

"The Childbirth Education Program at our hospital recommends the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder to women in our pre/postnatal classes because we believe in the value of mothers carrying their babies. We have sold this sling for several years and find the quality exceptional. It is comfortable to wear even in the case of chronic upper back and neck pain and is particularly helpful for settling baby after feedings."
Joan Rom-Colthoff, Coordinator Childbirth Education

"Your product is a tremendous selling item in our retail section of our hospital for quite a few reasons. Over the Shoulder Baby Holders are a wonderful way to provide your baby with closeness when he/she needs you for comfort, privacy for nursing and convenience when you need hands free. The quality of the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder also helps sell your product."
Gretta Blythe, RN, BSN, IBCL, Manager, Lactation Center

"I've never advertised the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder-my clients do it for me. After purchasing and wearing them, clients call me and request business cards to hand out to people who stop then and inquire about their carrier. One mother reports she was approached by another mother who attempted to buy her OTSBH on the spot by offering to pay a greater amount of money than the original purchase price of the Sling. I love selling a product that sells itself!"
Elaine Bilger, RD, IBCLC

"As a physical therapist I am impressed with the comfort, weight distribution and variety of positions the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder offers. As a childbirth educator and doula I love the physical closeness it encourages between parent and child. The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder has more padding, better overall design and nicer fabrics that the carriers I had seen in retail stores at similar prices."
Sally Richardson, PT, FACCE, CD

"The main reason I continue to carry the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder at our lactation center is that I loved mine and used it for three years!! The ones that are sold in stores are: A cheap imitation, are hard to find and the mother cannot figure out how to use them."
Patti Carroll, RN, IBCLC

"As an intervention for prenatally drug exposed infants, the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder helps minimize the negative effects of the drugs on the infant's system. For example, an infant prenatally exposed to cocaine may experience a period of behavior disorganization after birth, which manifests itself as disturbed sleep and irritability. The cumulative forms of environmental modification provided by the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder: rhythmic motion, reduced light, and curved, supported position have a rapid soothing and stabilizing effect on the baby and are more effective than a single form (e.g., just motion). The infant's sleep periods are extended, and symptoms of irritability such as prolonged crying are reduced."
Dr. Linda Perez, Developmental Psychologist

"After more than eight years as an active proponent and distributor for Over the Shoulder Baby Holder, I figured it's about time that I wrote and told you how thrilled I am, and always have been, with the quality of your product. (Not to mention the marketing support!) As a professional lactation consultant, I have ample opportunity to share the concept of baby wearing, and can honestly tell you that the most enjoyable part of my job is to see the look of awe and wonder on a new mom's (or dad's) face when they first experience wearing their baby in one of your slings. Thanks again for a superior product that makes my counseling efforts that much easier."
Alicia Burgett, IBCLC, CLE

"The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is the best carrier for spinal cord injuries and patients after strokes."
Pat Burns, Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Center

"If I can show an expectant mother how to be a better mother, if I can help her bond with her baby and can give her the self-confidence to listen to her heart when it comes to raising her child, then I have done my job, whether she breastfeeds for two days or two years. In a nutshell, Over the Shoulder Baby Holders are helping moms breastfeed and stay close to their children."
Kendall Cox, LLL, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator

"As a Health Educator at Kaiser Hospital, I always devote a section of all my classes to the importance of wearing your baby via the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. I can't tell you how many parents come back to me raving about how the sling has changed their lives. My advice to new or expectant parents is "buying a sling will help to create a happy, healthier and nurturing family."
Sheila Janakos, MPH, IBCLC

"We recommend only this sling to our clients for the following reasons: We have tried several other companies baby slings and have chosen the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder because of the consistent superior workmanship and the three different sizes. About 25% of our sling sales come from customers who have a different brand sling which does not fit."
Deborah Ehrhardt, BA, IBCLC

"Clinical studies show that frequent carrying makes a baby less prone to undesirable addictions later in life---from alcohol and drugs to overeating and overworking."
Research notes from A Baby's World

"I bought a _ _ _ _ brand sling 3 years ago--- Ugh! I thought these women who were saying how wonderful slings are were nuts. Then I ran across the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder a La Leche League meeting. I tried it; Ah! Sigh! I have hardly stopped wearing my 7 month old since."
Venita Garner, Discretions, Montgomery, AL

"We are very excited about the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder for our WIC clients. We offer it as an incentive gift to mothers who breastfeed for two months or more. Our hope is that it will encourage bonding and increase the duration of breastfeeding."
Sarah Ekwunife, WIC Health Center

"At our Family Center we recommend Over the Shoulder Baby Holders to all our new parents to provide a more bonded environment for their infants and toddlers."
Judith Chapman, RN, CNM, Director

"My ten month old and I would never had made it through his five day hospitalization without our Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. I could hold him steady and comfort him and his procedures could be completed very quickly. Most of the staff commented on how helpful the sling was. The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder was the perfect answer in an imperfect situation."
Amy Uecker, Mother-Baby-Cintinuum

"We've been providing support and education to San Francisco mothers for almost 10 years and telling mothers about the importance of slings has been central in our work. Over the Shoulder Baby Holders make life easier for new parents but more importantly they encourage parent-infant bonding leading to happier families."
Lisa Moresco and Samatha Allen, Directors Pregnancy and Childbirth Resource Center

"The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is such a pleasure to sell. It is an easy and attractive solution to so many early mothering dilemmas-fussy baby, too few hands and arms to go around, sore back. It solves parenting problems while at the same time providing the baby or toddler with all the comfort and support that helps little ones thrive."
Jeanne L. Rago, B.A., IBCLC

"I am a Registered Nurse and mother of 5 children ages 2-11. I have used numerous front and back baby carriers, but prefer baby slings for comfort, ease of use, and to have an extra hand when busy. When I opened my Maternity and New Mother Store, I carefully looked at current slings available. I felt the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder was a well-made, well-designed and attractive sling. I continue to benefit from using and the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder while at work, with a sleepy or irritable toddler. I personally feel my child is safer "worn" than in an open stroller or running loose in a crowd."
Charlotte L. Dillon, BSN, RN, ICCE

"As you can tell from our account we love Over the Shoulder Baby Holders and are selling them right and left. We have people waling in off the street saying "I was just at the mall and saw this mother with her baby in that 'thing' and she was so happy and content, I just have to have one. They usually say this while hauling their baby into our office in one of those heavy car seats that are so incorrectly called "carriers". We love their versatility, ease of care, comfort and how happy the mothers and babies are with them."
Jane Bradshaw, RN, BSN, IBCLC

"The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder provides babies with a gently introduction to the world. They can be lovingly carried and gently nurtured in a soft cocoon. Your product encourages the development of a strong bond between a mother and her baby. It is incredibly comfortable to "wear" your baby and the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder makes it so easy. Other carrying devices can be clumsy and difficult to use, but with the OTSBH you can just slip your infant in and you are ready to go anywhere."
Carrie Ganz, MSW

"I spent a fortune on every kind of carrier I could find and I didn't like any of them; that is until I tried the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. I've used and loved the OTSBH now for, WOW, 10 years with my four children, two of whom were comfy in their baby holders before they even had names!"
Loa Beals, OTSBH Distributor since 1987

"In the past eight months, I've had sling orders from 27 states! In June and July I sold 37 slings - 24 in July alone! I love this product. Besides all the great ways it nurtures your baby, I think it is one of the most practical things a mom can get. It outlasts every toy, carrier, outfit, piece of furniture, or anything else someone will buy for a baby. Alia is three and I just used it last week! Nothing is a better buy for a new mom than a sling!"
Theresa Lacroix, WWW OTSBH Distributor

"Mothers are surprised at how easy the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder is to use and how quickly it quiets a fussy baby. I am happy to be part of the effort to encourage bonding, closer parent-baby relationships and happier babies. Your baby sling helps with all of these."
Vergie Hughes, RN, MS, IBCLC

"I feel the careful attention you pay to the construction of the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder makes it one of the finest on the market. It's always fun t see the parents try them on with their babies and see the babies settle in and go to sleep."
Carrie Warburton RN, BSN, IBCLC

"When my daughter was 2 weeks old and displaying signs of colicky behavior, a dear friend delivered my very first Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. Recovering from a cesarean delivery I was at first reluctant to carry my baby in it, but it soon proved to be worth many times it's weight in gold. I noticed how it immediately afforded me the ability to hold Annie, rock her, and indeed nurse her without putting any pressure on my incision. I am a pregnancy exercise instructor and childbirth educator and I am unfailing in letting all my students know that the sling is perhaps the most valuable purchase they can make for their baby and themselves."
Fredda Spirka, Childbirth Educator

"We're singing the slinging praises here in Yonkers. It's taking this corner of NY by storm. They don't know what hit!"
Helen A. McCullagh, OTSBH Distributor

"Because raising children, raises questions, our childbirth and breastfeeding educators have been recommending the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder in their classes since we learned about your company. One of our clients (a first time breastfeeding mom) said, "The sling is just awesome. It's like someone gave me my hands back. I go everywhere and can do everything with my baby, happy and cared for all the while."
Debbie Simon, Director of Development

"We have been offering Over the Shoulder Baby Holders at our hospital for almost five years, and have probably sold over a thousand by now. Parents love them, and we are so pleased to see babies arriving at our postpartum support group snuggled to their mothers' chests rather than in a hard plastic carrier. Thank you so much for helping us model the kind of attachment parenting we strongly advocate."
Becky Krumwiede, RN, IBCLC