I've been using a sling to carry my babies since my now-five-year-old daughter was born, but I'm still rather inept at it, having experience with only one or two carries. Thus, when I came across Babywearing, by Maria Blois, M.D., my curiosity was piqued. I was not disappointed. Babywearing is a fairly easy read, and yet it is so full of information that I know I will refer to it again and again. Dr. Blois answered all of my major questions, and more.

Every aspect of babywearing is covered, from the "why" to the "what" (Which carrier is best for me?) to the "how." Each is treated in sufficient detail to leave the reader feeling well-equipped, but not in so much detail as to overwhelm. Other resources are recommended, as well, for those who may desire to dig deeper. Scientific information and statistics are well-referenced.

The book begins with the benefits of babywearing. These benefits are varied, for both mother and baby. For mother, the benefits are largely practical - babywearing makes her life easier! For baby, the benefits are largely medical and psychological - baby is healthier and more content when carried often. This section also includes brief references to the history of babywearing, and the effect of our babywearing example on others around us.

This section is followed by two about babywearing in special circumstances. A variety of circumstances are addressed, including special needs of babies and special needs of mothers. Fostered/adopted babies, multiples, and disabled parents, for example, can all benefit from babywearing. Kangaroo care - the close, skin-to-skin contact with mama for the sake of health, especially for preemies - is given an entire section.

From this point forward, the book gets very "hands-on" practical. Dr. Blois (a babywearing mama, herself) suggests basic babywearing tips, offers general instructions for things like getting baby onto your back, and gives an overview of the types of carriers available. Then she really digs into the options. Each major type of carrier gets a full section. The author describes the carrier, tells us what its major features are, explains what styles are available within the category being discussed, and provides step-by-step instructions (with photos!) of how to wear them various ways. Each section also includes a comparison chart, which compares the features of the major carrier options within the category.

There are carriers here that I had never even seen! Slings/pouches are the first type of carrier to be described. These are worn over one shoulder and under the other arm, like a sash. Second are wraparounds - long pieces of fabric wrapped around the body and tied. One terrific feature of the wraparound section is that Dr. Blois tells you what lengths are needed for various wraparound styles, and offers instructions for making your own. Front/back packs are the third category. This includes the constructed carriers with which many modern parents are familiar, along with several simpler carriers of mostly Asian derivation. Finally, torso carriers are discussed. These carriers wrap around the parent's body, but do not go over the shoulders.

The book concludes with frequently-asked questions about babywearing, such as, "which carrier should I try first?" and, "will I spoil my baby if I wear him?" The appendix lists quite a few resources, including sources for carrier patterns and parts, and children's books that incorporate babywearing.

The only thing I found disappointing about the book was that the many photographs did not designate which carriers they depicted (by brand name). I frequently found myself thinking, "I like that carrier; I wonder what it is," and it was often not obvious, even when compared with the charts.

Nevertheless, this was such a great overview, thoroughly addressing all aspects of babywearing without overwhelming, that it would make a terrific shower gift. The style is unassuming and encouraging, with very much a "one mother to another" feel. Common doubts are acknowledged and calmed, not belittled or ignored. I finished the book feeling much more confident about my ability to do this. ( )