Only cynical non-mothers would dare refer to babies as accessories. However, wearing your baby, thanks to numerous stylish baby slings on the market, is definitely a trend.
It's also an ages-old tradition practised in countries around the world. In Canada, baby slings not only give modern mothers hands-free freedom, they match your outfit too.
(That there are also psychological and developmental benefits for baby is the icing on the cake.)
"I am an urban mom who lives in downtown Toronto and I need my hands," says Victoria Turner, founder of Pippalily, a company that sells contemporary baby slings (pippalily.com).
"I'm also a crazy multitasker," Turner says. "Once, my daughter was in my sling breastfeeding while I was in a food court carrying a tray of food to a table. The sling acted like a canopy.
"There's no need to compromise your style for practicality," she says. Pippalily offers beautiful Asian brocade slings (a popular material for diaper bags too) in red, turquoise, black and brown for $75.
Turner has been wearing her daughter, now 15 months old, since she was born.
"The sling is the accessory that gets commented on the most. Any mother wearing their baby in a sling will tell you how much attention they receive. Your baby is just so cozy and content that people gravitate to sling wearers."
Turner cooks, shops for groceries and even goes to the washroom while wearing her baby (every mother learns it's almost impossible to pull down her pants while holding a baby).
"I can carry her a lot longer in a sling, because you use your core," she says. "It's inevitable your baby is with you all the time. So why not enjoy the way you carry them. Why not feel pretty when you're out?" she says.
Kim Barnsley is another sling convert. The architectural designer recently teamed up with Vancouver-based B-Cozy Blankets to create the Hug, a pouch-style sling for babies up to 35 pounds, made with 100-per-cent fleece, for $69.95 (bcozyblankets.com).
"I started to have back trouble using a front carrier," Barnsley says. "People love this sling because it looks like a shawl. One of my customers actually does use it as a shawl when she's not wearing her baby, because it is so warm and comfortable."
Barnsley offers six different designs. "People buy one for every outfit," she says. "It's definitely geared toward fashion moms. But it's also saved a lot of tantrums for sure."
Unlike strollers, slings can be packed in your purse.
"Think about how much running around we do. Any time that you have your child near you, touching them, kissing them is invaluable."
(A sling for dogs is in the works. But that's another story.)
Another Canadian company to check out is cxdbaby.com, which offers slings that are red-carpet worthy. Some are silk and jewelled with Swarovski crystals. Prices range from $300 to $500.