Recently, we asked our wonderful and knowledgeable Facebook fans their best tips for using a ring sling. They kindly provided the tips below. All of these tips will help you learn to use a ring sling comfortably.
- When threading the fabric, be sure that it does not twist in the rings. Bunched up is ok, but not twisted, as it will make it hard to adjust the ring sling properly.
- Start out by adjusting the ring sling on you before you put the baby in. Create a small pouch for your baby. Then put baby in. You’ll have less adjusting to do once baby is in.
- Make sure that the fabric on your back is not twisted – check with a mirror and feel with your hands to assure that the fabric is smooth on your back and not twisted.
- Start with the rings higher up on your shoulder, as they will lower when adjusting the carry. The ideal location is a little below your collar bone.
- To get baby in the ring sling, start by placing him in the burp position on your shoulder and then lowering the baby feet first, then bum and finally his torso and shoulders until he is in the pouch of the ring sling.
- When adjusting the tails, pull the rails horizontally. Do not pull the tail downward, as it will bunch/twist the tail.
- Adjust ring sling, one bit of fabric at at time rather than gathering the tail and tugging all at once.
- A lot of babies do not like the cradle position. Start first with the tummy-to-tummy position.
- Baby’s bottom should not be any lower than your belly button. The higher the baby, the more comfortable you will be.Lift the baby’s bottom with one hand when adjusting, so that you are not trying to adjust all of his weight as well.
- Be sure that your baby’s bottom is lower than his knees.
- Once you have baby in the ring sling, pull the shoulder of the ring sling away from your neck. It tends to ride up when putting baby in and adjusting. Simply get your thumb under the shoulder of the ring sling and pull it out away from your neck to where it is more comfortable for you.
- And most importantly – don’t give up! Practice makes perfect.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for providing these wonderful tips!
One remark, though:
"Be sure that your baby's bottom is higher than his knees."
I think baby's bottom should be *lower* than his knees, i.e. his knees should be higher than his bottom?
Thanks for catching that! I've corrected the typo.
Hey Giselle!
Nice tips, especially the 2nd last one!
Always did that, but never include this small step in my instructions. Thx!
Syaz
Fab site Giselle! How about a bullet about getting baby in? So many moms try to "place" their babies into the sling instead of doing the burp position (opposite side than the rings) and slide into the sling. Placing just ain't gonna work.
Kristin
Thanks Kristin! I've added that to the list.
Thanks for posting these tips, I have to write an article about these things and these tips are awesome inspiration.
Also, as a user of a gypsymama & a rockin baby sling, I wish I read these before…. oh well! live and learn.