Elisa Barcalow and her husband, Jon, are registered nurses and parents in Steubenville who discovered that high-quality baby slings are not available at Ohio Valley retail outlets. So they researched and found what they feel is the best product and make it available to any local parent who is interested.

“The only place you can get slings is via the Internet, and many of them are $70 or even up to $100. We decided, let’s just buy them and sell them wholesale for $50 and sell them for $50,” Elisa Barcalow said.

They offer the Over-the-Shoulder Baby Holder, which Barcalow said allows her to breastfeed her baby discreetly in public, holds up to 35 pounds and comfortably distributes the baby’s weight across the shoulder and opposite hip.

Barcalow said a sling is a perfect way for a parent to carry a baby, and “the best place for baby is in a mother’s arms,” she said. She and her husband are certified attachment parenting instructors who embrace and promote Dr. William Sears’ theories of attachment parenting.

Barcalow became a believer in using a sling when her first son, Vincent, was 2 months old and exhibited colicky behavior. She began looking into attachment theory and purchased a sling.

“He didn’t cry anymore after that,” she said.

When she had her second child, Salvatore, she discovered the practical benefits of using the sling with the newborn while caring for a toddler.

“You just put the baby in the sling and go about your day,” she said.

Moby Wrap — Available in variety of colors and patterns. Carry baby or twins. Perfect for breastfeeding. $39.95 and up. www.mobywrap.com.