How To Use A Ring Sling: A Simple, Brief Guide For New Parents

Skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn comes with a variety of benefits, from heart rate regulation to reduced cortisol levels.

When you're on the go, it may be more difficult to maintain skin-to-skin contact, which is why carriers like ring slings exist.

Ring slings make it easy to keep your newborn close to your chest with minimal fabric or padding blocking the connection between you and your baby.

Read on to learn how to use a ring sling with this brief but helpful guide!

Where to Find Ring Slings

Ring slings are alternative baby carriers that offer style, simplicity, and comfort. You want to find options that utilize quality fabrics and string rings to ensure stability.

Our favorite ring slings come in a variety of colors and prints to match every mother's style!

How to Use a Ring Sling

Now that we've taken a look at where you can find fantastic ring slings, let's take a look to use one. The first step is to master tying your ring sling. The second is getting the ring sling comfortable for both you and your baby. 

Step 1: Put Ring Sling On and Tighten

Decide which side you want to hold your baby on and place the rings of your sling over the opposite shoulder. Pull the tail end around your back, across your side, and up to the front. 

Take the tail end and pull it under both rings. Open the rings and thread the tail end through the bottom ring so that the top ring is covered with fabric and the bottom ring is visible. Then, fan out the fabric so it is evenly distributed across the rings.

To tighten, pull the tail end of the fabric. The rings should rest a few inches below your shoulder, not on your shoulder. 

Step 2: Make Sure Baby Is Properly Positioned

Once you've fastened the ring sling around your body, you can put your baby inside of it. Unless you are feeding, your baby should not be tilted in a laying position. Instead, they should be upright with their feet on either side of your body.

Your baby's head should be level with your neck or shoulders. If they are resting at a lower position and you can feel their body weight against your belly button area, they are not secure enough. Plus, a loose ring sling can lead to back pain and strained muscles. 

Step 3: Adjust Fabric for Comfort

Once the ring sling is tightened and your baby is in the right position, you can make some final adjustments to the fabric that will ensure comfort for both you and the baby.

Make sure that the fabric across your back and shoulder is spread out. If it is bunched up, it can rub against your skin and cause muscle pain.

Then, make sure that the fabric along your front is not bunched behind your baby's knees. Any excess fabric should bunch around their bottom, instead.

Get More Comfort from Your Carrier

If you want to experience closer contact and comfort from your baby carrier, it's time to learn how to use a ring sling. You'll see benefits comparable to skin-to-skin contact even when you're on the go.

Do you have more questions about motherhood? Take a look around at the rest of our posts. We're sure you'll find answers to all of your questions!