A Word on 'Leg-Danglers'...
Published on Thursday 12th April 2007
Pushchairs serve a purpose, for sure, but if you live in the centre of a busy City, want to stroll along the beach, or walk cross-country, they can be more of a hindrance than a help.
Attempt to navigate a busy market with a pushchair out in front and you spend so much time apologising for crunching people’s ankles, it’s impossible to actually buy anything. And the last time I tried to get a buggy along a beach I ended up having to carry the damn thing.
 This is where a baby carrier comes in handy. The sporty-looking Baby Bjorn has been a favourite with new Dads for years now and its popularity has been capitalised on by designers like Bill Amberg  , with his celeb-friendly leather papoose (RRP £325) and Anna Ryder-Richardson with the Wow Oui oh-so cute Dude, Diva, Vintage and Envy ranges.
Ad-hoc research, however, has suggested that these types of slings, known in the trade as ‘leg-danglers’, aren’t great for anyone’s back: yours - as anyone who’s used one for a baby over six months will testify - or your baby’s.
If you still really want the sling to be your fashion statement, rather than what you’re wearing, then there are some beautiful silk ring-slings on the market. Not the height of practicality, it’s true, but great for special occasions like christenings and weddings. Check out Big Mama Slings , who also offer a hire service.
But don’t despair if what you’re after is that elusive mix of style and practicality - there are other options (the baby carrier market is a very big and innovative place!).
The wonderful Wilkinet creates a little seat for your baby’s bottom, which solves the problem of them hanging by their crotch, while the Kari-me , one of the many stretchy wrap-style slings, is a little harder to get to grips with but extremely versatile once you get the hang of it.
 For an older baby or toddler there is just one sling that I keep coming back to, and that’s the brilliant Ergo Baby Carrier . Unlike other slings that you can wear on your back - and in this case, as well as on your front - the Ergo is unstructured (ie there’s no frame) and so it’s incredibly comfortable and compact when not in use.
Having just been away for a week with an 18-month old, we would have been lost without it. What’s more, my daughter loves it too.
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