Ring Sling Guide

WARNING

Failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions can result in death or serious injury. Only use this carrier with children weighing between 8 and 35 pounds.

SUFFOCATION HAZARD

• Babies younger than 4 months can suffocate in this product is face is pressed tightly against your body. Babies at greatest risk of suffocation include those born prematurely and those with respiratory problems.
• Check often to make sure the baby's face is uncovered, clearly visible, and away from the caregiver’s body at all times.
• Make sure the baby does not curl into a position with the chin resting on or near the baby's chest. This position can interfere with breathing, even when nothing is covering nose or mouth.
• If you nurse you baby in carrier, always reposition after feeding so baby's face is not pressed against your body.
• Never use this carrier with babies smaller than 8 pounds without seeking the advice of a health care professional.

FALL HAZARD

• Leaning, bending over, or tripping can cause baby to fall. Keep one hand on baby while moving.

What to know BEFORE using your sling

Getting Your Sling Ready for Baby

 

Find the rings and tail.  Bring the tail to the rings as pictured. 
Be sure the tail is not twisted. (see above)

Pull the tail through both rings as pictured. 
Note that the fabric is not twisted and the tags are on the inside. (see above)

Separate the rings and pull the tail through the bottom ring as pictured. (see above)

This is what your sling should look like. (see above)

** Note that the fabric is evenly spread through the rings and you can clearly see the difference between the top and bottom rails. This will be helpful later when you are adjusting the sling with baby.

 

Putting Baby in the Sling 

Begin by placing the sling over one shoulder with the rings resting just below your shoulder and above your breast. The pouch area of the sling should be resting just above the opposite hip.

You will typically want to put the rings on your dominant side so that you will have that hand free.

Be sure that the fabric is not twisted and is spread evenly across your back. Try to arrange the fabric over your shoulder so that it is cupping your shoulder.

Hip Carry

** This hold is appropriate for older babies who have good head control (around 6 months and up) & toddlers.

Hold your baby up on your shoulder as though you are burping him.

While supporting your baby's weight with one hand, reach under the sling with the other hand and lower baby's legs all the way through the pouch of the sling as pictured (pic right).

 

Carefully lower baby's bottom into the pouch and spread baby's legs so that they are straddling your hip, just as you would if you were carrying him.

While still supporting baby's weight, begin spreading the pouch fabric open so that the bottom rail comes all the way down to baby's knees and the top rail up to baby's armpits/shoulders. (Pic left)

Holding onto the tail, tighten the bottom rail of the sling so that there is no slack and baby's knees are slightly higher than their bottom. (pic right)

Repeat the tightening process with the top rail of the sling as pictured, this time, pulling the top rail of the fabric so that it is snug around baby's shoulders or armpits. (pic left)

It is ideal for the rings to remain up on your shoulder and above your breast for the most comfortable position and to give baby the most room in the sling. You may need to make adjustments to achieve this.

** You do not want any loose or baggy fabric around baby or yourself. IF THERE IS BAGGY FABRIC, KEEP ADJUSTING YOUR SLING UNTIL BABY IS IN A SECURE AND COMFORTABLE POSITION.

This is what your ring sling should look like when properly in place

** You do not want any loose fabric around baby or yourself. If there is any loose fabric around baby's body or yourself, there is a high chance baby is not properly secured.

Am I Doing It Correctly Checklist

• Does baby have an open airway?
• Is baby's chin up and off of chest?
• Is baby's breathing labored?

STOP and read -- adjust the sling so that baby is snug but still has room to breathe freely.

• Are baby's knees slightly higher than their bottom?
• Is all loose or baggy fabric tightened and snug?
• Are the rings up near your shoulder and above your breast?
• Is your baby close enough for you to kiss their head?