Product Review: Hotslings Fitted Pouch Sling

Once I made my foray into the world of babywearing, I quickly came to realize that different baby carriers were made for different settings and different children. My first purchase, an Ellaroo Mei Tei, was exceptional for long walks and excursions, and was perfect for wearing either of my children on my back.

However, I knew that I wanted something that was simple to get on and off for wearing my children around the house. I also wanted something small that I could throw in a bag just in case one of my children wanted or needed to be worn unexpectedly when we were out and about. I was drawn to a pouch sling, but worried that my children (3 and 1, both between 20-30 pounds) would be too big and it wouldn't be comfortable. When I saw a Hotsling on sale on eBay, I thought it was worth a shot.

Sizing and Fit

This fitted pouch sling needs to be ordered in the appropriate size for the wearer. I found myself torn between two sizes, and made the choice to go for the smaller size. Thankfully for me, it fit well. The sling should be snug, but not tight. Your child should feel secure against your body when in it. Hotslings says that if the sling feels wrong, it is wrong.

Design

For the older child, the Hotsling is best worn on the hip. I was concerned that by wearing a 20-30 pound child this way I would feel too much strain on my shoulder. However, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that the weight distribution was still adequate over my left hip and right shoulder. Younger children can be worn in a cradle hold or a front carry. I have also heard of women nursing comfortably with a Hotsling!

Benefits

I love that this sling is simply one piece of material folded over. It makes it very convenient to fold up and throw in my purse. In addition, the padded rail is a nice addition that I think adds to the comfort level of the sling for both of my girls. I am able to wear the girls around the house while doing simple chores or to bring it with me in case one of them might want or need to be worn instead of walking. The sling really does nicely hold each of my toddlers without any added strain on me.

Drawbacks

No matter how wonderful the sling, pouch, or other baby carrier, if you are walking for extended periods of time it can be tiring. I wouldn't recommend any hip sling for a lengthy walk. In addition, it did take me a few tries to learn the best way to position my daughters so that they were correctly seated in the sling, with enough material under their bottoms to sit comfortably and safely. Once I figured that out, it was easily to replicate.

Overall, I have been incredibly pleased with the Hotsling Fitted Pouch Sling. It is well designed, comfortable, and works well for my toddler daughters. I highly recommend it.