When my son reached 20 pounds at 4 months I knew that I was in for it. He had outgrown his soft frontpack carrier and my back was killing me.

I started doing some research and found the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder.

The OTSBH is not sold in retail outlets but it available through distributors, and over the web. I looked up Breastfeeding in my local Yellow Pages and found a distributor for the product.

Because my child is on the high end of the growth charts (thanks to my tall husband and healthy breastfeeding) I wanted a carrier that I could use comfortably with him and not break my back. I found that many of the "pack" type carriers (like Baby Bjorn, Snugli, etc) didn't accomodate his large size and were very uncomfortable for me to wear.

When I talked to the distributor I explained that though I had read many great things about the OTSBH the true test would be putting my child in it and seeing how it felt. She agreed wholeheartedly.

My second test would be finding a carrier that I could use as well as my husband. At first I was really leary about that because the sling comes in different sizes and I thought surely me at 5'2" and my husband at 6'1" would require different sizes. Guess what, we didn't! We were able to get a MEDIUM sling and it fits us both.

Also, the OTSBH doesn't have lots of straps and tethers to adjust when we switch between myself or my husband or anyone else. Also, my husband is a lefty and I'm a righty. We usually carry our son in different holds. The OTSBH is adaptable and easy. There is only one strap to loosen or tighten.

How to Use it
-Just loosen it up to put it on, decide if you want your baby on the side, front, back or laying down (to sleep or nurse).
-Put your baby in.
-Pull tether strap to tighten

Sizing
I mentioned before about the sizing. The OTSBH comes in four sizes. To figure out what you need, its based upon your height and weight. However, I recommend trying it out and seeing. According to this I would need either a Petite or Regular and my Husband would need a Long. However, we found that the Regular/Medium worked just fine for both of us.

-Petite/Small is for someone under 5' tall and up to 120 pounds.
-Regular/Medium is for most people from about 105-175 pounds.
-Long/Large is for those from 160 to 250 pounds, or over 5'10"
-Extra Long/XL is for those over 250 pounds or very tall.

The look
The OTSBH comes in tons of different fabric choices including Solids, Prints and Organic Fabrics. Each distributor will have a variety. There is less variety in the Extra Larges and Smalls. Most patterns are available in the Medium and Large. We got a solid color (Dark Green) because we thought it was neutral and attractive and also could be used on either myself or my husband.

Also, if you have a child who is older than sling age in addition to the baby. You can get them a sling to match yours. They can use it for their baby dolls or plush toys. Its called Kidsling and costs about 10 dollars. Would be great for any little girl around 5 or so who wants to be just like Mommy.

The Benefits
Baby wearing is great. I enjoy wearing my baby in the house and out. When I'm wearing my baby, I have my arms back! Yay! Of course now I have no excuse for a messy house.

The OTSBH is recommended by lactation consultants, chiropracters and is supported by pediatrics and birthing centers. My friend had a baby who was so colicky that he needed to be held all the time. If she had used something like the OTSBH everyone would have been in much better spirits, including her baby. Unfortunately, she learned about it a bit late.

I wish that I had gotten this product when my son was a newborn. But I'm glad to have found it now, at 6 months and plan to use it for as long as possible. The OTSBH can be used for a child up to 40 pounds. My son who weighs in the low 20's was breaking my back just carrying him. However, with the OTSBH I could carry him all day and not notice the toll on my back and shoulders.

My son loves to be held in the OTSBH depending on the position he can see lots or little. I can carry him on my hip, in the front facing me, or facing out. Or we can even nurse using this. It takes a bit more coordination to figure out how to nurse. It would have probably been much easier when he was a newborn.

The OTSBH has padding and is comfortable for both the baby and the wearer. Its healthy because your child sits or lays in natural positions and their legs are not getting bowed out the way that they would with Snugli type carriers.

Children Thrive in these slings. I know mine is!

Best advice I can give when shopping for carriers/slings:

** Try one out with your child **
If your child is already born, Go to a store or a distributor and try one. You may find that your needs in a carrier change drastically from when your child is a newborn to when they are 6mths+.

A good carrier/sling will grow with your child. If I had purchased the OTSBH from the beginning I would have been able to use it when my son was a newborn and still use it now and in the future. I wish I had bought this sooner! But now that I have it, I use it everyday.

If you are expecting a child, or know someone expecting a child

***This would make a great gift!!!**
In fact, I think this is what I will give to people now at baby showers. I've showed the OTSBH off to many other new mothers and they all love it and will probably end up getting one!. When I use it, I'm always asked about it!


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 40
Age Range of Child: Other