Customer Reviews

Crown Crafts The Original NoJo BabySling by Dr. Sears - Denim

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I started using the sling when my baby was barely a week old. I tried using a snugli and various front pack carriers, but found the sling to be the most practical and comfortable carrier to use. My baby liked to be held a lot and was colicky for several weeks. Once I put her in the sling she was so calm and happy. I feel it has made her a very calm and confident baby. People constantly comment on what a good, happy baby she is. I take her everywhere in the sling, I never leave home without it. It is the only way I was able to get anything done around the house. I rarely carry her anywhere in the car seat, the sling is much more practical and I would much rather have her next to me and she would also much rather be snuggled up to me! I have used it so much that now at over 8 months old, my sling is so worn out from daily use I am purchasing another one. Although I loved the NoJo brand, I am buying a sling, made by Mayan Traditions from Baby Quetzal,(not the mayan wrap/sling) I like the material better and it has a feature that allows you to tighten material behind baby for a snugger fit. I plan to use a sling as long as it will hold the weight of my baby, supposedly up to 30 lbs. What a great way to bond with baby. My husband loves to use it too. One comment though, using a sling does take time to get used to, both for you and baby. Before you give up, find an experienced babywearer like I did and the chapter in Dr. Sear's Baby Book on babywearing was great! Give it at least a couple weeks of consistent daily use before you make your decision. Happy babywearing!!

I got a Baby Bjorn carrier for my baby shower. While I do like that carrier and use it every day when I walk my dog, I didn't like the way my small baby had nothing to look at but my chest. I went out and bought this sling for myself when my son was about 2 months old. I liked the fact that he could (using the cradle position) sit facing diagonally out while still being cradled and supported. I think this sling has a much more natural feel to it that the front style carriers. It offers fours different basic carrying positions that mimic the way you would naturally carry your baby in your arms. I use it all the time at home. It is the only way that I am able to get housework and other things done. I really cannot say enough good things about it. I can go from walking, to doing laundry, to sitting down and eating, to picking up things around the house, to making the bed, all with ease while my baby is happy and comfortable next to his mom. This carrier has really allowed me to be a much happier and (I think) better mom because it has allowed me to include my baby in almost everything I do. Mom and son are both happy -- me because I get things done and him because he is never apart from me. It is comfortable, easy and inexpensive. What a perfect combination!

My month-old son is not an afficionado of the "baby bucket" (car seat), and I generally don't even bother to detach the car seat and take it into a store or restaurant, but just put him in the sling. It also allows me to get chores done around the house. A couple of tips: * get the baby started getting used to the sling as soon after birth as possible (we brought it to the hospital)... after you put him in, start walking around immediately until he is used to the sling * Don't worry that the baby is all rolled into a baby-ball in the sling. That's how he was in the womb. It's much healthier for his spine than a snugli-type carrier. * Read the chapter on baby wearing in the Dr. Sears Baby Book for ways to use a sling post-newborn. On the con-side, on this particular brand of sling, the padding is not perfectly placed, and it is not as easily adjustable as I would like... I am investigating other brands right now that are not available in the megastores (like Maya Wrap, OTSBH, New Native, etc.)

OK, so it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but this sling is the worst one I've ever tried. There are so many better models out there, like the OTSBH, Maya Wrap, and others too numerous to mention. Essentially, the rails are waaayyy too padded, so it's uncomfortable for both mom and baby. And it's sized really strangely. Some of the reviews say it's not built for a short person. Well, I'm 5' 8" and it's not built for me, either, or my 6' 2" husband, for that matter. I would look on the web for other slings with less padding, or padding on the shoulder but not on the rails. They cost a little more, but you'll use them day in and day out. This one will end up sitting under the couch, unused (according to everyone I know who has one--they have no resale value on Ebay, either).

Plus, the dyes used in the fabric stank horribly until I washed it several times. A minor point, but also annoying.

My son lasted all of 4 days in it before we both got sick of it.

Don't waste your money. Spend a little more to get a better sling in the first place.

Slings are great, but this one isn't.

Dr. Sears books have proven to be the perfect compassionate parenting text. And his reccomendation for the sling carrier has made my baby a very happy one. It took me awhile to get the hang of it (2 weeks), but it's been worth it. My baby loves it, everyone comments on how happy and good she is, I take her everywhere, even to my medical school classes. This brand has the strap in an awkward spot, and does not come in varying sizes. So if you're not of average weight and height (5'5"-5'9"), I would not get this. Motherwear and One Hot Mama (both have websites) both sell versions that come in different sizes. Petite, Regular, Tall, and Large.

I used this sling for both of my babies, (0-> 2.5yrs). We had a front backpack style which was good for about 3 months, until the weight of the baby started to make my back ache.

The best thing about this sling, besides the fact that the kids loved riding in it, is that it folds up into a reasonably size bundle that fit in my diaper bag. So as the kids aged, and wanted to walk on their own I could just toss this carrier in the diaper bag for when they got tired. Also with the kid riding either in front or on your hip, they are very accessible, so that you can hand them something, like a bottle or a bit of food when you are on the go. (Say like walking around at the Zoo.)

I must admit I liked the hip carry position best, it mimic's having my arm under their butt, and holds them close.

Anyway its reasonably priced, you'll get your use out of it, (unlike the front only carriers, which as I mentioned aren't good for very long, or the backpack carriers, which while are good for that heavy load, don't pack up and so aren't with you when you need them.)

First the good points: Even though he doesn't look like it (If I were scrunched at that angle I'd throw a fit) my son is VERY comfortable in his sling. If he's particularly fussy, I can put him in it and he goes right to sleep.

HOWEVER, despite its claims this carrier is NOT more comfortable than traditional carriers. Even with a small baby (my son was a month old and barely 8 lbs when we started using the sling) all of the weight goes onto 1 shoulder, thus quickly straining that shoulder and causing tension to both your shoulder and neck - not a pleasant experience if you're out and about with baby. My husband complained of the same thing when he used the sling. On the other hand, if you wear it correctly a traditional carrier distributes the weight between your two shoulders allowing you to go for a longer period of time before you start feeling a strain.

One of the principle reasons that I bought a baby sling as opposed to a traditional carrier was its claim that you can breast-feed discretely while wearing it. I can see how this would be true for anyone who is small to average breasted (say, up to a "b" or maybe even "c" cup); but if you're larger than that it's physically impossible - trust me, I tried it every way imaginable!

Another issue for me is the security of the sling. Apart from being able to snuggle with my son, I also wanted a way to be able to hold him while doing some household chores. That's impossible with a sling. The moment you take your hands off it you feel like your baby's going to fall right out - although he's snuggled down into it, the sling feels like it will "tip over" if you release it. Even the product picture shows the woman with her hand underneath the sling - so no hands free! With the carrier I have now I can even cook while wearing my baby - I just switch him to the back and wear the carrier like a backpack. And I don't have to worry about him falling out of it, so I truly do have both hands free.

Bottom line, the baby sling is good for some extra support while cuddling with baby, but not very practical otherwise.

P.S. I WILL admit that the sling is great if you go some place cold, like the snow. Between holding your baby against you and all the padding, he'll stay nice and snug.

Lots of reviews talk about how bulky the sling is or how much practice it takes, but here's the rub: the bulk of the padding gets squashed after using it for a while, and taking the time to practice and fiddle with different positions will eventually mean having an easy, comfortable way to carry your baby (or toddler!). We're still using ours with our 18 mo (22 lb.) daughter. She still loves to ride around on my hip taking in the world and my activities. It's her favorite place to be for reading a book and falling asleep. I remember that it did feel bulky at first and we folded over the edges to lose some of the excess material when she was really little, but before I knew it we were both pros at "baby-wearing". It's worth the work!

This sling is great for the breastfeeding mom! My husband and I like to eat out, but it seems that whenever we sit down, our daughter wants to eat too. With the sling, she snuggles next to me and nurses while my hands are free to continue eating. The sling is so comfortable she often falls asleep after she is done eating. It allows me privacy and a warm meal! We had a Snuggli front carrier, but she couldn't nurse while she was in it. It also smushed my breasts, was hard to get around my post-pregnacy waist and (I know this sounds weird) people (strangers) kept touching her when she was in the Snuggli with her feet hanging out. In the sling, she is in my "personal space" and people seem less likely to just reach out and "touch the baby".

I used this with my last baby. I loved it. I have heard some moms say that they hardly ever used a stroller because they liked useing this sling better. I wouldn't go that far- I still used my stroller for longer outings. I did use this for shorter outings like grocery shopping or church services but if I used it for more than an hour or so, my shoulder would start hurting.
My baby was born over 9 lbs, and by the time she was 5 months old she was around 19.5 or 20lbs. When she got to be that big I used it less but still did occationaly till she was over 30 lbs and 2 yrs old. I did find it handy if we were going to be someplace that strollers are not really acceptable (like church or the theater). I found it very easy to nurse in when she was still in the cradle position, and she fell asleep more than once in the hip straddle position. I would highly recommend this product to new mommies. Babies love them!