Sling. An unpadded ring sling in an unoffensive, light-colored solid fabric (mine is undyed cotton weave). Completely adjustable to any size or body shape, holds the baby in any conceivable position and size, has no weight limit, can be doubled-up for twins. Has a short learning curve, but so, so, so pays it back. The Bjorn is great too, though, as is the Snugli brand soft backpack (doubles as a reversible forward-or-backward facing frontpack, works for even very small infants), mei tai carriers, and padded ring slings. I have one of each, but the unpadded ring sling carries the day.

On the philosophical question, I think Bryce is on to something. I’ve often observed the ways in which modern parenting is becoming more than anything an exercise in advanced consumerism, but it’s just occurred to me that this has happened during precisely the same period that fathers have become more involved in parenting babies and small children. The DaddyTypes blog is a perfect specimen of the conjunction. I think the involvement of dads is a good development, probably, but I think the consumerization of parenting is a really insidious ill. Are the two connected? Probably, maybe in the way Bryve suggests (ownership being used to fortify assailed masculinity).

1) Do not get a sling. Most men I know don’t have the shape to make them work — they don’t hit the hip right, you swing baby heads all over the place, too close to corners and major appliances, etc. Plus, I’m embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t secure enough in my masculinity to pull it off. Thought I would be, but there it is.

2) Get the Bjorn Sport, with the back support. It lasts a lot longer, and so will you. We forgot ours when we went up to see the folks over the Holidays. Borrowed the non-sport version from a neighbor and I can see why some folks are telling you to buy the sling. The regular Bjorn destroys your spine after a baby is a certain height/weight. Last but not least, you automatically feel more manly in anything that has the word “sport” in the title.

3) Think of it this way: you’re not losing man stuff like Nintendo and barbeques; you’re gaining a whole new category of guy gear like jogging strollers with cup holders and safety gates with a remote control.

I use and love the bjorn… from about 6-12 weeks, then it gets too heavy and breaks my back. the others were much more valuable for their price. Oh, but my husband won’t use the sling (flowy=feminine). so, the bjorn for the begining, the backpack afertwards.

Bryce is definitely right about the over-baby-accessorizing. There are a lot of things that are just unnecessary. Swings and carriers are very good to have, though, because you won’t be able to hold them always.

…it’s a sign of how completely right the point of your post is that all the parents here can gab on about baby gear ad infinitum with no irony whatsoever.

Also consider: your children will wear their 0-3 month outfits an average of 0.5 times before they outgrow them.

My recommendation if you want to spend money on your kids: Buy four or five inexpensive digital cameras and/or digital camcorders, and leave them charged and ready at various places around the house/in the car/in the diaper bag. Twins seem to never get nearly as many pictures taken of them as they should.

I was skeptical of the Bjorn’s myself, but my wife swears ours saved her back.

If you don’t have a swing yet, borrow before you buy. Some kids love them, some hate them. Ours all hated them.

What the Baby Bjorn is that smell?

And

Let’s get the Snugli out of here.