Instructions for using your ring sling!
Covered on this page:
Anatomy of a Ring Sling
Threading your Sling
Nursing in your Sling
The Kangaroo Hold
The Hip Carry
The Back Carry
I have found online videos to be very helpful! There are many videos available for you to watch on www.YouTube.com :: search "Ring Sling".
SweetPea Ring Sling How-To Videos on Youtube:
Click here to open the instruction manual that is sent along with each sling. It will open in a new window and you can print it from there.
Anatomy of a Ring Sling
Threading
All of my slings come pre-threaded. After a few uses or washing you will need to re-thread your sling. Try to take note of how it is threaded before you undo it.
Threading
involves folding the tail end of the fabric through the rings. In
order for your sling to work properly, it needs to be threaded correctly.
Taking a little time to learn about threading and the
different ways to hold you baby will help make you a baby-slingin' pro!
SweetPea Ring Sling video on threading. You can find it here, on Youtube.
Instructions for Threading
1. At first it may be easiest to lay your sling across the floor or a table to make sure that it isn't twisted.
2. Spread your sling out, outside facing up.
3. Grab the end of the sling that doesn't have the rings- the tail.
4.
Starting at one of the corners, fold your sling like an accordian. You
only need to fold a few inches of the length, not the whole sling.
5. Once you have the fabric bunched up, accordian-like, you are ready to put it through the rings.
Note:
Folding the fabric like this insures that the fabrics threads evenly
through the rings. This way, when you pull on one side of the tail, it
will tighten the top of the sling and when you pull on the side of the
tail, it will tighten the bottom.
6. Hold the folded end together with one hand and grab the ring-end of your sling with the other.
Be sure to keep the fabric untwisted.
7. Pull the fabric through both rings- entering on the inside of the sling.
8. Pull about 2 feet through and then separate the two rings and pull the fabric under the bottom ring.
This sounds more complicated than it is!
9. Once you have your fabric pulled through, use your fingers to make
sure that the fabric is as evenly spread through the rings as possible.
With the double-sided slings, this results in only the inside fabric showing.
And you're done! This should be the most complicated part of having a ring sling Still having problems? Try the video: SweetPea Ring Slings How-to Thread a Ring Sling.
Putting on your Sling
Directions for Putting on your Sling:
1. Hold the rings in one hand and the rest of the sling in the other. Take the side with the rings and put your head and other arm through the opening.
2. The rings should always be on your collar bone- where you would wear a corsage.
- This is where you will see the importance of the threading. The fabric is evenly threaded through the rings. That way, if you pull on one side of the tail it will tighten the top of the sling. If you pull on the other side, it will tighten the bottom of the sling.
3. Hold the sling open creating a "pouch" for the baby.
- For newborns, make sure that the inside of the pouch (the fabric closest to you) is pulled up towards your chest. This will make a nice, cozy spot inside of the sling for the baby.
Always put your sling on before putting your baby inside.
The Heart to Heart (Vertical) Hold
- Number #1 Recommended Carry for Infants
- Good for all ages.
- Baby sits vertically inside of the wrap with its belly against your body.
- Baby's legs are pulled up inside of the wrap, imitating the feeling of being in the womb. For larger babies their legs can hang out of the bottom of the wrap.
- Baby's head rests on your chest.
- My favorite hold. It reminds me of a pregnant belly.
Directions for the "Heart to Heart" Hold
1. First, make sure that your sling is properly threaded so that you can only see the lining fabric coming through the rings.
2. Put your sling on as directed above.
**Make sure that the rings are on your collar bone and that the fabric is evenly spread across your back.
3. Create the pouch with the fabric. The rings should be up on your collar bone. (baby is not in the sling)
5. Use your other hand to open the fabric.
6. Slide baby down inside of the sling. Their legs can either be bend at the knees, be wrapped around you or hanging out of the bottom. This mom has the baby's legs straddling her (froggy) and bent at the knees. Her feet are hanging out of the bottom of the sling. Her knees are higher than her bum and there is enough fabric under her to create a nice, deep seat for her to sit in.
8. Pulling on the side of the tail closest to the baby will tighten the top of the sling. Pull the fabric down at an angle, across your body.
The baby's weight "locks" the fabric into place in the rings. You will need to lift the baby's weight with one hand while pulling the tail with the other.
9. Pulling on the center of the tail will tighten the center of the sling.
The baby's weight "locks" the fabric into place in the rings. You will need to lift the baby's weight with one hand while pulling the tail with the other.
10. Pulling on the
side of the tail farthest from the baby will tighten the bottom of the
sling. Pull the fabric out, at an angle, away from your body.
The baby's weight "locks" the fabric into place in the rings. You will need to lift the baby's weight with one hand while pulling the tail with the other.
11. And you're done! If your baby does not yet have head control, you can use the top rail to gently hold their head against your body.
The Vertical Cradle Hold
- Great for newborns (Newborn Safety Page)
- Baby lies inside of the sling, with his body angled across your torso.
- You should always be able to see the baby's face.
- Protects baby from outside elements, including germs
- Keeps strangers at bay! (some don't even know that you are carrying a baby)
- Great for nursing baby (tail can be used to cover yourself so that you can discreetly nurse in public)
Directions for the Vertical Cradle Hold:
1. Put your sling on as directed above.
* Always make sure that the rings are on your collar bone, like a
corsage and that the fabric is evenly spread across your back.
2. Create the pouch with the fabric.
3. Hold your baby with one hand on your shoulder.
4. Use your other hand to open the fabric.
5. Place baby inside of the pouch.
* For larger babies, their legs can hang out of the other side.
6.
Tighten the sling until baby feels secure. The baby needs to be snug
against your body in order to prevent him from slumping down inside of
the sling. He needs to stay upright so that you can always see his
face.
7. If you pull on the one side of the tail, it will tighten the top of the sling; the other side will tighten the bottom.
8. Baby’s head should be up high by the top rail, on top of your breast, body angled downwards across your abdomen.
9.
Tighten the sling until baby feels secure. You should always be able
to see the baby’s face and make sure that his face is facing up.
10. You do not want the baby’s chin to touch his chest as this restricts his airway.
11. You can pull the fabric up over their head or just covering half, to hold their head against your chest.
Nursing in your Sling
- Can be used for all ages.
- Baby lies inside of the wrap, like you are holding him in your arms.
- Allows you to discreetly latch in public.
- You can use the tail of your sling as a cover.
Directions for Nursing in your Sling:
1. Place baby in sling as directed using the Cradle Hold.
* Always make sure that the rings are on your collar bone and that the fabric is evenly spread across your back.
2. Loosen your sling and slide baby inside of the sling so that they are at breast level.
3. Your sling will cover most of your upper body. Pull up your shirt and latch baby.
4. You can use the tail to cover while latching or while nursing.
5.
To switch sides, simply loosen the sling and switch baby around to the
other side and then retighten. You can also use the football hold on
the opposite side, if you do not want to take the baby out of the sling.
6. Once you have finished nursing, return baby to an upright position.
**You
can also use your ring sling as a nursing cover when you are not
wearing the baby. Simply put your threaded sling over your shoulder to
create cover/tent-like area for baby to nurse inside of.**
The Kangaroo Hold (forward facing)
- Baby faces out
- Only use once baby is able to hold his own head up.
- Babies legs are brought up, indian style and baby is placed into the sling.
- Let's baby view the world.
Directions for the Kangaroo Hold:
1. Put your sling on as directed above.
*Always make sure that the rings are on your collar bone, like a corsage and that the fabric is evenly spread across your back.
2. Create the pouch with the fabric.
3. With this hold, it is VERY important that you pull the fabric on
the inside of the sling up towards your chest. This will create a deep
enough pocket to hold the baby.
4. Hold your baby facing out.
5. Use your other hand to open the fabric.
6. Place baby inside of the pouch, this can be tricky at first as you
need to bend their legs, indian-style while putting them in the sling.
7. Tighten the sling until baby feels secure.
8. If you pull on the one side of the tail, it will tighten the top of the sling; the other side will tighten the bottom.
9. Double check that the fabric between you and the baby is pulled up high on the baby's back.
10. Pull the front of the pouch up high on baby's chest. His arms can be in or out.
I always worried about my son's legs with this hold.... it seems like being squished like that would bother him. However, he LOVES this hold and never fusses at all!
The Hip Carry
- Great for older babies and toddlers.
- The sling holds the baby to your hip, just as you would, for hands-free carrying.
- You will find yourself using this one a lot as your baby gets older!
Directions for the Hip Carry:
2. My rings always slide down when I put my baby into the sling with this hold. So, I start with them a little higher up on my shoulder.
3. Open your fabric to create a pouch.
4. Slide baby inside, onto your hip.
5. Tighten the sling until baby feels secure.
6. If you pull on the one side of the tail, it will tighten the top of the sling; the other side will tighten the bottom.
7. Make sure that the rings are on your collar bone.
8. Baby's arms can be inside or outside of the fabric.
The Back Carry
- Only for older babies and toddlers.
- For experienced babywearers only
- Baby is put on hip and then moved around to your back.
- Only to be used with a cooperating child.
- Great for having both free-range use of both arms.
Directions for the Back Hold:
*With this hold, you need to start with the rings in the center of you back, so that when you slide the baby around the rings will end up on your collar bone.
2. Use the directions for the Hip Carry to place your baby in your sling.
3. Once baby is on the hip, bend over and slide the baby and the sling around to your back.
4. Tighten the sling until baby feels secure.
Use caution with the hold. Only use with a cooperative baby!
Disclaimers
Should only be used by sober, alert adults.
Periodically check seams for any wear.
Do not use the sling around open flames or while cooking!
Use SweetPea Ring Slings at your own risk and only after you have read the full instructions.
Only participate in SAFE activities while you are using your sling. Be careful when bending over.
Ring slings are not a substitute for a car seat in the car.
Please don't make me write more disclaimers than this.
