Many moms love the benefits of carrying their baby around, but sometimes you just need your hands-free. One way to do this is to use a baby sling. I found a tutorial from On Pins and Needles for how to make a lined ring sling.

I've seen lined slings like this with a cute decorative fabric on the outside, but the lining is a super soft Minkee, or fleece. For the warmer summer months try doing a lightweight cotton sling - very breathable and still comfortable for both you and the baby. I would not recommend using a stretchy fabric, or if you do, use one with only a hint of stretch, as this might make it hard to feel like the baby is secure enough.

With a ring sling, you can adjust the tightness of the sling, making it idea for a one-size-fits-all item. It's great for when you want a sling, but also want Dad to wear one occasionally too. No need to buy a separate one just for him - just make sure your sling is in a fabric he doesn't mind wearing, as it might be a little harder to convince him to wear it if it's pink flowers! - Trisha

Registering for the real basics

A friend recently asked me what to register for. Now, my list of recommended items is probably more bare-bones than most, so I am likely to neglect things other people would want. So I thought I’d review some baby registry lists I found online to see what I thought of them. My assessments of six lists from leading parenting websites and retailers are below.

Good lists

Parents.com: I was impressed by this list. Sure, the quantities are off (8 pairs of socks? We had two, and we had a winter baby, and that was enough) and some things are not truly necessary (like a crib bumper, which is not recommended because of small increase in SIDS risk) but really, it is a good list. [Link]

Babyfit.com: A nicely organized, non-overwhelming list. Some things were a little odd (belly casting kit?) but most things were practical and safe. [Link]

Decent lists

Giggle.com: A good list. Again, too many of some things (seriously, how is a stroller blanket different from a crib blanket?) but not overwhelming and not very materialistic. [Link]

Target: Target’s Newborn and 0-3 month lists are comprehensive - overspendy but a good start to whittle down from. For instance, you do not need a diaper stacker, diaper disposal system, or diaper disposal refills, in my opinion. But that is your decision. And according to roughly 95% of the internet community, you can skip the wipes warmer. I know I did. [Link]

Bad lists

Baby/Toys R Us: Totally insane and overwhelming, this page would have made me cry. Unless you love to shop (and thus spend money), avoid. [Link]

Walmart.com: Whoa. Do not follow this list. Far too long, lots of unnecessary things, and at least one thing that is unsafe (sleep positioners). Finally, they completely lost me at “elbow cushion” for the bath list. Are they serious? I did not know such a thing existed. I think the "elbow cushion" of choice for 99.9% of moms is called a "towel." [Link] - Leigh G.

Serena & Lily's Market Sling is fabulous, fancy and functional. There is nothing to learn - no fasteners, no odd buttons - you just "sling" it over your arm and shoulder (careful with the baby!) and head out. The sling is machine-washable and made of organic cotton with a soft brushed cotton interior. The outside is hand-embroidered, and the colors subtle enough that this sling makes a quiet, but elegant statement. Its quality shows. I felt absolutely lovely in this sling. I'd love something this beautiful as a purse or a wrap.

The Market Sling comes in several color combinations - cloud with a petal interior, grass with a marigold interior, or flax with blue interior - and the colors really are as nice as their names suggest. The sling comes in three sizes and they all fit infants and babies up to 35 pounds.

The sling comes packaged in an elegant, oval hat box - perfect for gift-giving, and setting up expectations that the gift inside will not disappoint. At $129, this sling is worth every cent.

You can purchase the Market Sling at Serena & Lily's website, where you'll also find bedding, furnishings, paint, fabric, children's art supplies, and a lot more. The company is currently offering free shipping on orders over $100, and can deliver by Christmas if you order by December 20. - Karen

The Sleepy Wrap baby wrap carrier is a fantastic babywearing option for the first year! The high-quality, durable, stretchy fabric means the best in comfort for the baby and wearer. The material doesn’t stretch out, so there is no need to tie and retie the wrap to get the fit right for your baby. It fits all sizes of parents, meaning mom and dad can share the same baby carrier. Because the wrap goes over both shoulders, it evenly distributes the baby’s weight, making it easy on parents to carry the baby for long periods of time.

Because of all of these reasons, when I was hunting for a baby carrier to use with our newborn, I ended up deciding on the Sleepy Wrap. Now that we have tried it out, I am really impressed. The Sleepy Wrap material holds up to its claims. The material is stretchy enough that I do not feel like I have to wrap myself up as tight as a mummy to keep the baby from sliding down. When I carrying the baby, I stay really comfortable because his weight is distributed across my shoulders and back. How does the baby feel about it? You could ask him, but he is too blissed out to respond.

The best part about this carrier? It retails for only $38.95, making it one of the most inexpensive carriers on the market, and you definitely get a great quality product for the price! Sleepy Wraps are available in a variety of colors including gray, black, blue, purple, red, pink, and green. - Sara I.

Baby wearing is an easy way to allow you to do things with two free hands, yet still give the close contact babies need. There are several different ways to wear your baby, with the pouch sling being one of them. Here is a tutorial for sewing your own baby sling.

She even has a FAQ section with answers to how to wear the sling, how to breastfeed using the sling, and even how to make a doll sling so your toddlers can wear their dolls just like mom wears the baby. - Trisha