Mei Tai - Soft Structured Carrier - Stretchy Wrap - Woven Wrap - Ring Sling - Pouch
A Ring Sling is a one-shoulder carrier that consists of a length of fabric with 2 rings sewn into one end. The free end of the fabric is threaded though the rings to make an adjustable loop around the baby and wearer. Ring slings are made with padded or unpadded rails and shoulders, and the tail may be open or sewn closed.
Unpadded slings are generally easier to adjust and pose less risk of suffocation. Open tail ring slings will fit a wider range of sizes whereas closed tail slings will need to be sized correctly for safe and comfortable babywearing. There are also many different shoulder styles available. If your sling is properly sewn out of sturdy material and high quality rings, the shoulder style is a matter of personal preference. You may need to try out a couple of different styles to find the one that is right for you.
Warning! Be very careful wearing your baby in the cradle position. There has been a lot of media attention lately that has made many people believe that ring slings are unsafe but this is not true if the sling in question is safely made and worn. Please read our handout on safe infant positioning before using a ring sling, particularly with a newborn. Jan from Sleeping Baby Productions has also written a great article on sling safety.
Pros: Excellent for newborns through toddlers, great for nursing
Cons: Some ring slings are not supportive enough to comfortably carry heavy toddlers. Also some people find the one shoulder carries to be harder on the body, especially while carrying heavier babies or for long periods of wearing. Ring slings can have a steep learning curve to use correctly and comfortably.
Brands in our library: Sleeping Baby Productions (SBP), Comfy Joey, Maya Wrap, Sakura Bloom, and PookaBaby
DIY: You can absolutely make your own sling with minimal sewing skills required. Please make sure to only use SlingRings (nylon or aluminum rings specifically made for slings) to make your sling. Steel rings from home improvement stores or tack shops have weld points that seem safe but could break and craft rings from fabric or craft stores are much too thin to support a baby’s weight. Great instructions for making your own ring sling can be found here.
How to use a ring sling: Instructions from Zolowear. Videos of threading and putting on a RS, newborn carry, and hip carry from our YouTube library.
