Ring Sling Questions

[Beauchamp]

*Is a ring sling as easy as everyone says?

*Do you really pop the baby in and out?

*Is there more than just slipping it over your head/around your shoulder, i.e. do you have to adjust every time? (I have a Moby and Pikkolo, and these always require adjusting.)

*I expect the ring sling to hurt more than other carriers if worn for a while since it's only on one shoulder. But does it hurt WORSE than carrying a babe around the house on my hip/sitting on my left arm/cupping her bottom with my left hand, etc??


I always hear about popping the baby in and out of a sling. But I hear this, too about the Moby, and I don't "pop" my LO in and out. It's an effort, sometimes requires a chair, sometimes a mirror to make it easier! (plus kind of a hassle to tie/retie all the time...I just don't reach for it for daytime use. I find myself just holding DD with my left arm/on my hip all day. Gah!)

So, I've been mulling over the ring sling idea, specifically those from Sleeping Baby Productions. I currently have an Ergo Sport, Pikkolo and a Moby, but I just don't use them around the house. I tried the Moby for a few days. It's workable, but kind of a hassle. I haven't tried the Ergo Sport in a while, since DD was too small for it. I am just wondering why I have these three nice carriers and I never reach for them. (I do use them at places like church, grocery store, etc, just not at home.)

[lifeguard]

I used a ring sling exclusively until ds was about 4 months when I got a stretchy wrap which didn't get much use. I switched to an ergo when he was about 8 months & use that most of the time now but still keep the ring sling handy at all times.

I find it really easy.

Even now I find I can pop ds in & out of it really easily. When he was young I would put the sling over my body, loosen it out slightly, pick him up & drop him in & then tighten up the sling as we walked. Now I put it on, pick him up & slide him through it & onto my hip & then tighten it up.

There is usually a little bit of adjusting to do but it is easy to do while you are walking & just requires a couple little tugs of the tail. I found the stretchy wrap way more fiddly than my ring sling.

I cannot carry for very long on my hip, he's always slipping & my arm/hand gets sore but I can carry him in a hip carry in the ring sling an hour or more. A two shoulder carry is nicer for longer periods because of all the weight on one shoulder but ds is 26.5lbs now - for me it wasn't until he was over 20lbs that I ever found the one shoulder thing uncomfortable after a period of time.

[HarperRose]

I like ring slings until my babies are about 15-20 lbs, which is about 4 mos. then I reach for a mei tai or other Soft Structured Carrier like my Ergo for front & back carries.

[Carrruth]

*Is a ring sling as easy as everyone says?
There is a bit of a learning curve for some people, but overall it's very easy. Some people just take a bit longer than others to get it right. But with all the videos out there, you shouldn't have a problem figuring it out!

*Do you really pop the baby in and out?
Yep. Just take them in and out of the top. Very fast.

*Is there more than just slipping it over your head/around your shoulder, i.e. do you have to adjust every time? (I have a Moby and Pikkolo, and these always require adjusting.)
You do need to do some adjusting, but not much after the first time. Just a little loosening and tightening. Very, very quick once you get the hang of it.

*I expect the ring sling to hurt more than other carriers if worn for a while since it's only on one shoulder. But does it hurt WORSE than carrying a babe around the house on my hip/sitting on my left arm/cupping her bottom with my left hand, etc??
It is definitely not as supportive as a two shoulder carrier. Some people have NO problem with ring slings causing discomfort and it is all they us! I however do get shoulder discomfort after a bit. So it really varies from person to person.

I only use ring slings for shorter periods of time. If I think I'm going to be holding my LO for a while, then I usually grab another carrier. But they are great for short carries when your LO wants to be held for a little bit, you need to get something done quickly, or if you have a toddler that is constantly up and down.

For me, it causes discomfort in my shoulder, which is different from where I feel it if I hold my LO in my arm. I would rather my shoulder ache a little though than try to hold my LO in my arm the whole time! So they are definitely worth having!

[lifeguard]

Just an add on to the comfort when I was using the ring sling exclusively I would alternate shoulders so that I wouldn't get a strain injury. It was instinctively more comfortable on my left shoulder but I quickly got used to using the right as well & I found that stretched out how long I could wear it.

[Beauchamp]

Hmm...well, my LO is almost 15 weeks old, about 15 lbs already, 24". Maybe it's too late for a ring sling?

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

Hmm...well, my LO is almost 15 weeks old, about 15 lbs already, 24". Maybe it's too late for a ring sling?

It really depends on the person. You may have no trouble at all.

I have neck and back problems, so I need a 2-shoulder carrier.

Before spending money, though, I'd try out what I already have and see if it works for me.

If you have a swimsuit sarong (you know, the long flowy skirt looking kind) or a length of fabric (a few yards, even a sheet) you could tie it up on one side with a slip knot and see how that works for you.

Here's a video

If you know that works, then you could either make or buy one yourself.

[lifeguard]

I wouldn't say it's too late - I use my all the time now for quick hip carries.

[4Blessings]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

Hmm...well, my LO is almost 15 weeks old, about 15 lbs already, 24". Maybe it's too late for a ring sling?

I'm still using my ring sling at 20 months old. Started at five days old. I also have a Kozy for longer carries or have used the ring sling for a back carry too.

I practiced with a doll before trying out the ring sling with my babe. It is pretty easy to get used to. I used a homemade wrap for a while but never was able to get the baby in or out of it without the use of a mirror or assistance from DH. I just wasn't coordinated enough.

[baturay]

Oh, definitly not too late! I use a ring sling with my 2 1/2 still. It's great for quick carries when they get older.

But, for this:

I always hear about popping the baby in and out of a sling. But I hear this, too about the Moby, and I don't "pop" my LO in and out. It's an effort, sometimes requires a chair, sometimes a mirror to make it easier! (plus kind of a hassle to tie/retie all the time...I just don't reach for it for daytime use. I find myself just holding DD with my left arm/on my hip all day. Gah!)

How are you taking her out? I usually just peel off the layers of the wrap (without taking it off..just pull the layers away), grab baby under his arms and then pull him up and out. You shouldn't have to work so hard to get your little out or untie to do so, especially if you are going to put her in there again.

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

I've used RS for my 3 1/2 yo...nursing while i was walking through an airport. They r great....once you get the hang of it!

[KarlaC]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

Hmm...well, my LO is almost 15 weeks old, about 15 lbs already, 24". Maybe it's too late for a ring sling?

Nah Cody is at 16 lbs & 28" he still fits into our ring sling great. It is easier than the Moby but it will kill my back/shoulder if I use it for long periods of time. Great for a quick trip in the grocery store though.

And if your moby is 'hard' try this way(assuming you're using the instructions that came with the moby which I had a lot of trouble doing on my own). I put it on over a nursing tank & wear it like this a lot of the day, not much readjusting & easy to do on my own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkIXD...e=channel_page

Well really I still use the newborn hold with him because he goes to sleep a lot & I like tucking his little gourd in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkIXD...e=channel_page

[Carrruth]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

Hmm...well, my LO is almost 15 weeks old, about 15 lbs already, 24". Maybe it's too late for a ring sling?

Definitely not. Like others, I just mine with my 18 month old,but only for short carries. I find it really convenient to own one and use it when I'm running in somewhere really fast, need to get dinner going, or my toddler just needs an extra snuggle and I need to be busy. It's so much better than holding them with your arms only.

[Prisca]

I agree with the others. You can still get plenty of use from a ring sling. I still use one with my 14mo, 20+ lb baby boy.

[Beauchamp]

Originally Posted by baturay

How are you taking her out? I usually just peel off the layers of the wrap (without taking it off..just pull the layers away), grab baby under his arms and then pull him up and out. You shouldn't have to work so hard to get your little out or untie to do so, especially if you are going to put her in there again.

It's usually SO tight that I have to loosen it to get her out, otherwise I feel like I am bending her legs too much. Then it's too loose for later and I have to retie.

Originally Posted by Mamato3wild ponnie

I've used RS for my 3 1/2 yo...nursing while i was walking through an airport. They r great....once you get the hang of it!

This is what I was hoping for...something mostly for nursing. But then again, I guess I'd be carrying around my Ergo AND my ring sling. Hmm... There are so many choices! I should've gotten a ring sling instead of my moby from birth. I was worried about the weight distribution, though. Oh, well.

Originally Posted by KarlaC

And if your moby is 'hard' try this way(assuming you're using the instructions that came with the moby which I had a lot of trouble doing on my own). I put it on over a nursing tank & wear it like this a lot of the day, not much readjusting & easy to do on my own.

Yes, I've done this. For some reason I still take it on and off constantly. I don't know what my problem is.


ETA: Has anyone bought from Sleeping Baby Productions? She has so many different fabrics and it's hard to choose. I don't want to make a mistake again. I am 5'8 1/2", about 140 lbs, fairly thin, long torso.