How To Use a Ring Sling

What are ring slings?

Ring slings are made from specially woven fabric and secured at the shoulder with rings. To begin with you may struggle to get your ring sling comfortable and wonder how to use it quickly. However, with a little practise and a few tips you find your ring sling fast and easy to use.

Willow Esprit Ring Sling

Ring slings have a single layer of fabric that moulds around your child. The sling is secured on the shoulder through a set of safety tested rings.They are lightweight and compact enough to pop in your bag, and are suitable for newborns through to toddlerhood. 

How to use a Ring Sling

When learning to use a ring sling the key is how you prepare it.

 First you need to thread the fabric:

• Pass the fabric through both rings 
• Then bring it back over the first ring and under the second. 
• Ensure the fabric is well spread through the rings and isn't bunched or twisted. 

Once threaded it can remain like this, you don’t have to repeat this step every time. You simply tighten and loosen as needed. 

The Next Steps:

• Loop the ring sling over one shoulder so that the rings sit near your collarbone. 
• Loosen the top part of the fabric (rail) by lifting the top ring and pulling a little slack through the rings. It should be loose enough to pass your baby through into the pouch.
• Tighten the bottom of the fabric (rail) by pulling the edge of fabric on the tail that’s furtherest from your body. This will tighten the bottom of the pouch. Make it tight enough so there's enough room to pass their legs through.
• Lift your baby onto your shoulder, supporting with one arm. Bring your other arm through the pouch, from the below, and guide baby into the fabric. Seat them onto the fabric as if it’s a rope, with the fabric in their knee pits and their bottom lower than the fabric, creating an M position.

• Use one hand to hold baby and keep the fabric in their knee pits and with your other hand carefully spread the fabric up their back. The bulk of the fabric should remain in the knee pits so the material is smooth across their back.
• Fabric should be brought to the nape of the neck for a newborn, top of the shoulders for an older baby and to the armpits for a toddler.
• Bring any slack in the pouch over the to rings and tighten the fabric by pulling it through the rings.
• Check the material is still in the knee pits. You can gently lift their knees into a good spread-squat position, with knees higher than bum. 

Safety Checks for using a ring sling

When used correctly ring slings are very safe and support babies in an optimum position with clear airways and airflow. Here are some important checks to run thorough once baby is in the sling:

• Keep their airways visible and clear at all times, ensuring that no fabric is covering their nose and mouth.
• Check your little one is not resting their chin on their chest, you should be able to place two fingers between their chin and chest.
• Your baby should be in an upright position with their head resting on the hard part of your chest, “close enough to kiss”.
• Ensure the ring sling is tight and supportive to prevent slumping and maintain a clear airway.
• Use a pelvic tuck to place them in a deep seated squat position. This is not only wonderful for their comfort and hip development, but also ensures that they are seated in a stable position and that their head naturally rests on you.

Learn how to use a ring sling with a newborn

Read some more tips for the comfiest ring sling carry

Shop Ring Slings

Sign up for our FREE Online Course and learn everything you need to know about ring slings