From Puddle Jumping to Pool Days: My Life with a Water Sling

I didn’t know that taking a shower could feel like such an accomplishment—until I became a parent.

In those early days with my first, even five minutes alone with hot water felt impossible. I tried everything: waking up before my husband left for work, sneaking in a rinse during naptime, and finally, dragging a bouncy seat into the bathroom with me, hoping he’d stay calm long enough for me to at least rinse my hair.

It worked for a few weeks—until it didn’t. He’d scream the moment the water turned on, and I was stuck choosing between crying in the shower or skipping it entirely.

By then, I was already babywearing—using a Kangaroo Corner Adjustable Fleece Pouch—but fleece and steam don’t mix, especially in August, and there was no AC. Then, one day, an email from the company landed in my inbox: they were releasing a new ring sling made from something called Solarveil. It was breathable, lightweight, and safe for water and sun. I didn’t even hesitate.

That ring sling changed everything.

I could finally shower while holding my baby close, the water rushing down on us while he stayed calm and content.

It was as if the barrier between self-care and baby care had finally lifted.

Suddenly, I wasn’t planning showers around his moods or my partner’s schedule. We could go for long walks and rinse off together afterward. I used that sling in hotel showers, public park sprinklers, and during family beach trips.

At the beach, the sling kept the sand off my "shockingly sand-averse" little one and allowed me to be hands-free without sacrificing closeness.

When baby number two came along, the ring sling didn’t just help with showers—it opened up our whole world. Summer with two kids under three meant constant movement, and thanks to that sling, we could go from the house to the park sprinklers without missing a beat. I’d scoop up the baby in that sling and play with my older child, all three of us giggling. 

That water sling helped turn rainy days into puddle-jumping adventures.

My toddler had a lot of energy (as they do), and we had a tiny apartment. Energy must be released, and the world must be explored, even during the rain. The sling meant I didn't need to leave the baby in the stroller on the sidewalk while we explored puddles, lizards, frogs, and squirrels in the tree. Before I knew it, my baby was a toddler, too, and joined us in exploration and puddle jumping.

Those adventures turned into a favorite tradition of our little family. That water sling helped me teach my kids that “there’s no such thing as bad weather—only bad planning.”

I love that sling and the freedom it allowed. Sometimes, the right tool doesn’t only solve a problem, such as "How do I take a shower?!", it reshapes your experience entirely.