Ring slings consist of a length of fabric draped across the body and secured at the shoulder with a buckle or ring. Although the slings provide “hands-free” convenience for busy moms, reports of falls, suffocation and other injuries point to potential risks associated with its use. By diligently following the manufacturer’s instructions and paying attention to the position of your baby in the ring sling, you can minimize your baby's chances of experiencing an injury.
Step 1
Evaluate your baby's age and head control to decide which ring sling position best fits his size and your baby-carrying needs. Younger babies generally need to ride in the classic cradle position while older babies can ride in a hip or back carry position. Consult your ring sling instructions for specific information on the carrying positions and their weight or age restrictions.
Step 2
Place the sling on your body with the ring almost even with your armpits--in the same place you might pin a flower corsage. If you are right-handed, the sling rings should rest near your right shoulder while left-handed moms often prefer positioning the rings near their left shoulder.
Step 3
Adjust the sling's body to the correct height for the position in which you want to carry your baby. For the cradle position, the bottom of the sling will need to fall to just below your belly button.
Step 4
Open the sling and make a wall of fabric against your body so the sling forms a pouch for your baby to sit in. Always keep fabric between your body and your baby to minimize the risk of falls.
Step 5
Hold your baby upright against the shoulder opposite the rings. Slowly slide him down into the sling, slightly turning his body so his side is cradled against you and his head faces away from the rings.
Step 6
Check to make sure your baby's head is visible and not covered by any fabric. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warning regarding the use of baby slings, a baby should have her chin up and her face and nose free of obstructions at all times. They further caution parents to refrain from situating the baby so her chin touches her chest--a position that can inadvertently cause “positional asphyxia” by causing his airways to close.
Tips and Warnings
- Always check for rips, tears or other damage to the sling or its rings before using it to carry your baby. Attachment-parenting advocate and pediatrician Dr. William Sears advises supporting your baby with your hands while you both grow accustomed to babywearing. After you adjust to babywearing, you can usually remove your hands and enjoy hands-free babywearing.
Things You'll Need
- Ring sling
- Sling instruction manual
