Does the thought of figuring out how to use a baby sling have you all tied up in knots? Baby slings are a fun and practical way to wear your baby, but many moms find them daunting because it can take time to master the techniques.
The first time I used a ring sling, it was a disaster. I couldn’t seem to position my infant correctly, and I was terrified I would hurt her. Thankfully I had a friend willing to show me the proper technique. She was my support system, and now it’s time that I pay it forward.
In this article, we will dive into everything related to ring slings. We’ll talk about why you should choose a ring sling and why you might prefer other options instead. We’ll go over safety considerations, common questions, and babywearing tips, and we’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to do several types of carries.
Key Takeaways
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First things first — what exactly is a ring sling? A ring sling is a long strip of fabric similar to a baby wrap. Ring slings are available in a wide variety of patterns and colors and are secured at your shoulder with a set of rings. This creates a sling or pouch that allows you to carry your baby securely while taking pressure off your arms and back (1) .
A ring sling’s advantages go far beyond its fabric options. It allows you to have skin-to-skin contact while you carry and communicate with your little one.
It’s also a hands-free carry option. You don’t have to use a stroller, which gives you access to the stairs when you’re out instead of having to search for a ramp or elevator.
That doesn’t mean a ring sling is without its disadvantages. In hot weather, ring slings can become uncomfortable for you and your baby, and if you have a lot to carry, it can become an impractical option.
Weigh Your Options
As with anything you use to carry your baby, you must take these pros and cons into consideration before deciding whether a ring sling is right for you.
Safety should be your top priority no matter how you decide to transport your baby. You need to do a few things to ensure your baby’s safety in a ring sling.
Before you ever place your baby into a ring sling, you must ensure the sling is safe. When you purchase your sling, take your child with you, ask for a demonstration on how it should be used, and avoid slings that are marketed with terms such as “womb-like” and “cocoon,” as these could hold your baby in an unsafe manner.
Each time you put your baby in the sling, check it to ensure it’s in good condition. You need to watch for tears or snags that might compromise its ability to hold your baby.
The Position Matters
When you put your baby in the sling, you want to ensure their airway is open. Position your baby’s legs and hips safely, and ensure the sling supports their back and neck.
Your baby should be held high and snug next to your chest. If your baby is small, has a cold, or was born prematurely, ask your doctor before wearing them in the sling.
Use caution and your instincts when wearing your baby. Be careful when holding hot drinks or carrying something heavy, and check often to ensure your baby is safe and secure in the sling.
My aunt once told me that any good recipe requires some preparation. The same goes for most things in life, including your ring sling. While you might be tempted to put your baby in your ring sling as soon as you get it out of the box, there are a few things you should do first.
Every parent doesn’t wear the same shirt size, and not every parent wears the same sling size. Be sure you have the right size for a sling so it will hold your baby snugly, safely, and securely.
Each brand of ring sling will differ in size slightly. For example, a small/medium Tula ring sling is roughly 77 inches long. But a small Bijou sling is 70 inches long, while a medium is 75 inches long.
In general, you can usually go by your T-shirt size when choosing a ring sling. You might want to go up a size if you have a large bust or a wide ribcage or will be wearing a toddler.
Threading is the process of weaving the fabric through the rings to secure the wrap to carry your baby. This is how to thread your sling:
You can use several different holds and carries with your ring sling. But before we jump into the more complicated aspects of babywearing in a ring sling, let’s go over some basics.
Putting your sling on correctly will ensure it is safe and secure to hold your baby. To properly put on your sling:
The metal or plastic sling rings can cause discomfort if you do not position them correctly. I once bruised my collarbone because the rings sat on it under my baby’s weight for too long. I don’t recommend it.
Instead, position your rings slightly below your shoulder for the most comfort and support.
You might find your sling is too loose, which causes your baby to sit too low in the sling. Luckily, tightening your sling is a reasonably straightforward process, and your baby can stay in the sling the entire time. To tighten the sling:
You can carry your child from newborn to toddler in a ring sling, so they are an excellent option for moms who only want to buy one baby carrier. You should hold both newborns and toddlers upright with their back, shoulders, and hips supported sufficiently.
You want your baby to sit wide in the seat, with a third of the fabric tucked under them. Their legs should be positioned so their knees are above their hip sockets. This positioning helps to prevent future hip conditions.
You Might Also LikeFrom Scratch: How to Make a Baby Wrap
As with a wrap, a ring sling is versatile. You can wear your baby on your chest, your hip, and even your back. Here are some step-by-step instructions for several different carries.
The cradle hold is excellent for smaller babies, usually from newborn to 3 months. With this hold, you will need to use one arm to hold your baby in position.
This is how to do the cradle hold:
The semi-reclining cradle hold, also called a reverse cradle hold, positions your baby with their head near the rings instead of opposite them. This keeps your baby in a semi-reclined position without you having to do extra work with your hands.
This is how to do the semi-reclining cradle hold:
The snuggle hold, also referred to as the tummy-to-tummy hold, will have you placing your baby chest to chest against you while allowing their legs to be free at the bottom. This hold keeps your baby upright and their legs in the optimal position to protect their hip sockets.
This is how to do a snuggle hold:
The flipped carry holds your baby in a similar way to the snuggle hold, but with this carry, the fabric is flipped. This makes the top hem easier to pull up high without digging into your armpit. It also allows you to position your baby more symmetrically in the seat.
This is how to do the infant flipped carry:
The kangaroo carry allows your baby to face outward and experience the world around them. You should only use this carry with a baby who has good head support, and you should never allow your baby to sleep in this position.
This is how to do the kangaroo carry:
As the name implies, the hip carry is a way to carry your baby on your hip. What might appeal to moms about this one is it’s a hands-free carry. That means you can grocery shop without having to put your baby’s car seat in your cart.
This is how to do the hip carry:
The piggyback carry is a way to carry your toddler on your back. It leaves not only your hands but your entire chest area free.
This is how to do the piggyback carry:
You can nurse your baby in your ring sling, but it takes a little effort.
First off, don’t plan on it being a hands-free breastfeeding experience. No breastfeeding session is entirely hands-free. Sorry, mama!
But you don’t have to take your baby out to feed them, so that’s a positive.
When breastfeeding your baby in your ring sling, loosen the panel in stages to lower your baby gently down to your nipple. Feed them in this position.
When they are done feeding, return your baby to the snug and upright position they were in initially. This way, they stay safe as you continue to wear them.
So you’ve started to use your sling, but you find you’re struggling in a few areas. You are not alone. Everyone has questions when they’re new to using a sling, and we are happy to help you out.
Below are some tips to help you find success with your ring sling.
If your sling feels too loose or low while your baby is in it, chances are your pouch is too loose. Try adjusting the pouch and tightening the sling to get a more comfortable carry.
There are a few reasons you might be struggling to tighten your sling. It could be that your rings are still new and you need to break them in. It could also be that the pouch you have created is not the right size for your baby.
If that’s the case, tighten the sling in strands using a wheel-spoke pattern. Lift your baby’s bottom a bit as you go to reduce the weight you have to pull.
It could also be that the fabric is tangled in the rings. You can fix this by adjusting the fabric to distribute it evenly by freeing the hem. This should make it easier for you to tighten your sling.
If your baby is folding over or slumping to one side, it is probably due to the middle third of the sling being too loose. This will prevent your baby’s back from being supported correctly. Hold your baby to your chest and tighten the middle third around them to give them more support.
Your baby’s head leaning back is often due to the top third of the pouch being too loose. This keeps your baby from sitting chest to chest with you. It can also happen if there isn’t enough fabric spread up your baby’s back.
If there is enough fabric to do so, pull the fabric up. A third of the fabric should remain under your baby’s bottom. Then tighten the top third to provide more support.
To move your baby’s head away from the rings, bring the pouch back down to the rope pass. Then rearrange the rings before you pull the pouch up again. You need to bring the slack from behind you toward the rings before tightening the carry to keep everything in place.
If the top hem of your pouch is too tight, it can cause red marks to form on the back of your baby’s neck. Instead of tightening only the top hem, tighten the top third to be snug. This will support your baby’s shoulders without making marks on their neck.
You do not want your baby’s legs to be straight because it can cause issues with their hip sockets, including a disorder known as infant hip dysplasia.
To keep this from happening, make sure you have enough fabric tucked under your baby’s knees to keep them in an M shape. Their knees need to be above their hips.
If the pouch is too tight, you won’t be able to tuck this fabric under your baby’s bottom. Once you have at least a third of the fabric tucked under your baby’s bottom, bring the back slack over to the knee pit, and tighten the slack to hold it in place.
Are you still scratching your head in confusion? Don’t worry; we have you covered with answers to your common ring sling questions.
You can use your ring sling when boarding and exiting an airplane. It can be an excellent choice for keeping your baby close while dealing with the stress of travel. It also means you won’t have to worry about carrying around a bulky stroller. However, most airlines will request that you remove the sling during the flight.
Ring slings are an excellent choice for plus-sized parents because they are very adjustable. If your clothing size is 16 or larger, choose a ring sling that is 79 to 80 inches long for maximum comfort.
Yes, you can wear your preemie in a ring sling. Kangaroo care has been shown to have a lot of benefits for premature babies, and a ring sling can help you achieve this (2) .
But you want to make sure you speak to your baby’s doctor first. They will be up-to-date on any special considerations that might affect your decision.
Many women can use a ring sling 2 to 4 weeks after a C-section. However, talk to your doctor before you do this. They can tell you if any extenuating circumstances require you to hold off a bit longer.
When you do wear your baby, carry them high and snug. This will ensure the sling does not put pressure on your scar. Quit using the ring sling if you experience any pain or discomfort. You can try again in a week or two.
If possible, you will want to share the babywearing load with your partner. This will make life easier for you and your back. If it’s not possible to share the babywearing duties, you can wear newborn twins in a single ring sling.
First, place one baby in the sling using the cradle position described above. Then tighten the sling until snug, and loosen the sling just enough to fit your other baby inside, facing your first baby. After your second baby is in the sling, tighten it snug again.
If you have older babies you need to tandem carry, you can still do this. You will need to use two slings instead of one. Just crisscross the slings so each sling rests on one shoulder to distribute the weight evenly.
The CSPS (Consumer Product Safety Commission) says waiting until your baby is at least four months old is safest to put them in a sling.
Newborn babies’ developing neck muscles sometimes aren’t strong enough to support their heads while angled in a sling. This can be dangerous and, in rare cases, can lead to suffocation.
Usually, baby slings are safe for newborns who are at least four months old. Still, it’s best to read the instructions that came with the sling you have. Various baby slings have different weight and age requirements.
There isn’t a set time frame you have to stick to when keeping your baby in a sling. You don’t have to take the sling off as long as you and your baby aren’t uncomfortable.
Usually, babies will get fussy when they want to get down. In most cases, it should be easy to tell when your little one has had enough sling time.
What your baby should wear under a sling depends on the climate you live in. If you’re located somewhere hot, it’s best your baby only wears their nappy under a sling to prevent overheating. If you’re somewhere mild, everyday indoor clothes are fine for your baby to wear under a sling.
No, baby slings don’t make babies clingy. That’s just a myth. It’s actually very good for babies to receive contact from their parents while being carried in a sling.
Contact helps assure babies that they are loved as they try to figure out the confusing world around them.
Babies can overheat if they wear clothes under a sling in hot weather. Slings already lock in the heat, so adding more layers can make your baby too hot.
Keep a close eye on the temperature whenever you plan to step out with your little one. Dressing them appropriately for the weather is extremely important.
