Betsy Bailey

Amazing I still have the "second stage" diaper bag I used with Mir. It's a classic, grown-up style and I use it regularly for excursions! It's a chocolate brown small sling style backpack from Land's End. The sling strap even unzips so you can carry it like a traditional backpack when desired. Apparently, they don't sell them anymore. Too bad, because it's way cuter than any other diaper bag I see on their site. I disposed of the changing pad part of it quite a number of years ago, but that's easy enough to replace. It's the perfect diaper bag when baby is a little older and doesn't need as much… stuff for outings as newborns require. And the thing still looks like new. It's held up beautifully.

I also found – after tons of Internet research, talking with other mamas for user feedback, etc. – two perfect slings for babywearing. The first one is a pouch style sling – which is a very streamlined style – that is adjustable. I like my babies snug and high up against me, so adjustable was key (in the past I've used a padded ring sling – fully adjustable, but that style is just too hot for Phoenix – especially a summer baby, BUT they are comfortable because the shoulder is so padded and I do happen to have a one on hand that my sister-in-law has loaned me).

My main around-the-house sling will be this Mamma's Milk beauty in Inclination (100% cotton). She has some gorgeous silk fabrics also, but word on the street is that this fabric is considerably hotter than the cotton.

I also ordered a ring sling in blue Solarveil from Wallypop – the most comfortable solution for babywearing in hot weather climates, I hear!

Solarveil is a 70 SPF, breathable mesh fabric. This sling will be great for whatever time we spend outside this summer (an occasion I intend to assiduously avoid!), but it also dries very quickly so it's also perfect for slinging baby in the swimming pool or shower.

Oh, lookie what I just found: A picture of me slinging baby Mir. (I gave this sling away ages ago and it still looked like new. It was very hot, though, even for Ohio weather… all that shoulder padding.)