Customer Reviews

Dr. Sears Adjustable Sling, Blossom Trim

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Please beware that the photo advertising this sling shows a baby positioned EXACTLY how the manufacturer tells you NOT to position him!

This sling is almost identical to the Infantino SlingRider, which was recalled several months ago after 3 babies died in them. The babies were positioned like in the photo: curled into a C, with chin drooping toward the chest. This can close a baby's airway, and has been shown to lower blood oxygenation levels, and ultimately, can be fatal.

This sling may be adequate for an older baby who can sit upright in it, but PLEASE do not put your newborn in it as shown in the photo! If you read the instruction manual, it actually tells you not to do this, so it is incredibly irresponsible of the manufacturer to use this photo to advertise the product. Research safe baby wearing and buy a sling that keeps your baby pressed into your body, with his head supported to keep the airway open.

I recieved this product yesterday. I tested it out with my 2 month old boy as soon as I opened it. He immediately calmed down once in the pouch. I didn't realize at first that you need to wear the sling high on you. You need to be able to easily kiss your baby's forehead. It's the biggest thing Dr. Sears urges for this product, having learned that from watching one of his YouTube Safety videos. But it doesn't highlight that in the directions. The adjustable strap is only so long, but if you need to get the carrier higher on you (for you more petite peeps) it is perfectly fine to pull more fabric through the rings to get it as comfortable as possible for you and your baby. (Don't adjust strap while baby is in sling to prevent pinching.) He seems to mello out every time I place him in the sling. His neck is still unstable so I do keep one hand over his neck when moving around with it, atleast until he's a little older.

I love the design. Very fashionable and cute. I purchased the solid black color to savor my husband's masculinity for when he uses it, but I really do love the colorful ones with those beautiful patterns. Not to say that the black isn't cute and sleek in it's own right, because it is. The material is soft and the shoulder pad is thick and comfy.

Another thing I love about it is that unlike the other carrier I have(Infantino Front2Back Rider), with this one I can get him out of the sling easily and very quickly. A concern of mine was that I have chronic back problems, but surprisingly with this product my baby seems light and it doesn't agitate my back whatsoever. And the rings do not dig into my shoulders like I have seen on other reviews. Wearing the sling high and correctly should take care of those problems--be sure to read all the instructions before using. (There are demonstration videos on YouTube for how to place your baby for each type of carry. The manual instructions are good, but it's even more helpful to SEE it done.) Overall, I like this product and am glad I bought this one and not another brand or type of sling. I look forward to using it in the coming months.

UPDATE:
Once my baby started weighing more, I found that I couldn't carry him endlessly in this sling like when he was lighter. At 8 lbs, I could carry him around for an hour, easy. But once he started closing near 14 lbs I found myself getting uncomfortable within 15 minutes. Now that he weighs 19 lbs I use this product for temporary uses, such as a quick run into a store or getting chores done around the house. As for fairs and other longer occasions I just stick with the stroller now. Although I do keep the Balboa under the stroller, just incase. There have been times I've been very thankful to have the Balboa Pouch with me, so I still recommend it. It's great to know there are options for getting around with baby!!

I bought this for my second child. It has become such a part of our lives, I can't imagine life without it. Sometimes I think it is a magic sling. Baby loves to be in it. It calms baby during fussy times. It lulls baby to sleep. It helps mama chase after big sibling while still holding baby. It goes with us everywhere: on trips, to restaurants, at church. I can sit through a 45-minute sermon with baby quietly sitting or sleeping in this sling! My husband wore baby to a conference and attended presentations with baby quietly in this sling! We go out to eat and to weddings with baby in this sling! We are confident enough to take baby anywhere, because we know this sling will work its magic.

I am surprised by how comfortable it is. I find it much more comfortable than a BabyBjorn, for example. The shoulder strap is well-padded and really distributes baby's weight evenly. I have no soreness or aches from using this sling. Just be sure to follow the instructions and place the strap on your shoulder and not on your neck.

The elastic rail is great for holding baby in place. The pocket (which is on both slides) is perfect for holding a pacifier, baby toy, or other small object.

I bought brown because I wanted it not to clash with most of my clothes (and I always wear brown shoes). I have noticed that it has faded slightly from exposure to sunlight, but this has not affected the sling's performance or attractiveness, so it does not bother me.

This sling ended up sitting in my closet. I was afraid to use the sling initially because the pouch is so huge that my daughter disappeared in it and it did not support her enough to keep her in a safe position that wouldn't run the risk of blocking her airway. I tried the sling again now that my daughter is 15 months old to use as a hip carrier and it is still useless. I'm 5'2" and even though I have tightened it as much as I possibly can it does not hold my daughter secure at all. It is very loose behind her and she could easily fall out if she leaned back. I would recommend trying this in the store, because it definitely is not one size fits all.

i got this to make things a little easier toting my baby around.. he is now 3 months old.. i had tried another sling before and it wasnt so great either.. this one is very deep... it seems as though he was getting lost in the pocket.. it also made his head sit a funny way which could end in suffocation for him since he was pretty much stuck that way.. not alot of moving around room.. once your in your in... and i am a little short i guess.. im 5'3.. i had it all the way tightened and once i put my son in he ended up being around my waist.. he just hung a little too low for me.. it was uncomfortable on my back as well.. so i would say if you are a little taller then this would be an alright sling.. but it just didnt work out for us

I'm sure most new parents and parents-to-be have read or heard about the CPSC warnings regarding positional asphyxiation of babies in slings. This is precisely the type of sling they are warning about. This sling has a deep pouch that is not adjustable making it very difficult to correctly position a newborn or small baby. A baby should always be able to be placed upright, tummy-to-tummy in a sling and should always be well above the wearer's bellybutton close enough to be kissed! I love wearing my baby, but always do so safely and would never purchase a sling like this. If you want to wear your baby in a sling, buy a good ring sling (like a Maya or Ellaroo) and makes sure to search for online resources on how to correctly position your child. Good ring slings have a shoulder that can be spread for the mother's comfort and have no elastic or gatherings on the rails that would make it hard to adjust the depth of the pouch (though they may have lightly padded rails for baby's comfort). Please buy a good, safe sling for your baby and take the time to learn to use it. These cheaper slings look inviting and some look easier to use, but they are dangerous and uncomfortable!

I have a 5 month old and wanted to be able to carry her around often without dealing with armache, shoulderache or backache so I got this sling. I already have the baby bjorn active and a moby wrap - and they are all great baby carriers - each with their own pros and cons. The reason why I got this sling in particular is because first, it was recommended by Dr. Sears - an attachment parenting advocate and second, I just happen to love the way it looks (The fabric patterns/designs are really nice - I had a hard time picking which one to buy). When I finally got my balboa sling, I wasn't disappointed - it was well made and the fabric was light and breathable and easy to wash and dry. I live in a tropical country and the weather is quite warm so this was definitely important for me.
The fit is also pretty good for my 5 foot one, 110 lb. frame - it's easy enough to adjust the size of the sling and to put baby in it - as compared to the moby (all I have to do with this is put it over my head and it's ready). My 13 lb baby is also cozy and does not "drown" in the sling - I am not sure though if I would have used the sling if she was just a newborn (I would most likely wait till she was 4 months to be safe).
When the sling was new and unfamiliar to her, she was fidgety and didn't want to fold her legs to enter the sling, but when I finally got her in a comfy position she gave me a giggle and was excited with our new thing! Since my baby can hold her head up already, I place her either facing me (when trying to put her to sleep) or facing out so she can see her surroundings - and she loves it!
I usually put her in the sling while facing the mirror so that she can see herself entering the "kangaroo pouch", and she looks forward to the ride. I also noticed that when she starts getting fussy and I pick her up and put her in the sling, she suddenly relaxes and calms down, and places her head on my chest. It's relaxing for us both! And when my baby drifts off to sleep in it while I dance and I want to put her in the bed without waking her - I simply put her down with the sling, slip out of it, then slowly take the sling out from under her and all is good!
And with this sling I don't have to worry about bodyache! I can wear this for an hour or so without discomfort - unlike the bjorn active which gives me shoulderache after more than an hour of wearing it (my husband though would rather wear the bjorn because it is more gender neutral). If your baby though is a curious one and loves to look around and move about, it's best to support him or her with your hands even while in the sling - with any type of carrier there is a risk of falling if you're not careful. Anyway I am glad I got this product - I just love it and would recommend it to other moms!

First let me say I had this sling for 9 weeks now and did not know Dr Sears was involved with this one as my husband bought it for us.
It's incredible! I have a baby with high needs/"some colic" (the Dr says) and we wear baby everywhere now. I'm about to take him grocery shopping. I LOVE that you don't have to wrap anything and the sling is ready to go, you just pop it on and baby in it.

It stops him from ALL FUSSING. I mean anything, if he's already got to the point of wailing I just pop him in there and bounce around a little extra as I walk. One circle of the house and he's calm, he loves passing out in it.
One time we went to the beach after he'd been fed and I couldn't get him to latch and he was fussing. We hopped out of the car in 40 degree weather and I walked him around in the sling, he fell asleep (so even hungry this calmed him!)

I can't say enough good things about this sling. The only downside is the plastic part where it connects at the strap can sometimes dig into your shoulder if you have it positioned a certain way, I just throw a burp cloth or two in between me and the plastic part if it bugs my shoulder and viola, solved!

LOVE THIS SLING! It's a sanity saver!!

I bought this sling and absolutely hate it! I am 5'7 and average build- yet even on the tightest point for the strap it hangs way too low! I put my 18 day old newborn in it and he falls down so deep he would hurt his neck or worse- suffocate. Plus when he got in it the sling was so low that he was no way in the proper cuddle position. Also my box had no instructions even though it is supposed to be included.

I put my very large baby into this sling and he disappeared! He was swallowed in the deep pouch. He hated it! And the way the pouch is made, he couldn't really be upright in it. Still looking for something better.