I gathered a bunch of tips from the mamas in my Facebook page and posted them in a blog post here.
Here they are. If you have any to add, please post them here and I'll keep building up that blog post.
Here they are. If you have any to add, please post them here and I'll keep building up that blog post.
- When threading the fabric, be sure that it does not twist in the rings. Bunched up is ok, but not twisted, as it will make it hard to adjust the ring sling properly.
- Start out by adjusting the ring sling on you before you put the baby in. Create a small pouch for your baby. Then put baby in. You'll have less adjusting to do once baby is in.
- Make sure that the fabric on your back is not twisted - check with a mirror and feel with your hands to assure that the fabric is smooth on your back and not twisted.
- Start with the rings higher up on your shoulder, as they will lower when adjusting the carry. The ideal location is a little below your collar bone.
- When adjusting the tails, pull the rails horizontally. Do not pull the tail downward, as it will bunch/twist the tail.
- Adjust ring sling, one bit of fabric at at time rather than gathering the tail and tugging all at once.
- A lot of babies do not like the cradle position. Start first with the tummy-to-tummy position.
- Baby's bottom should not be any lower than your belly button. The higher the baby, the more comfortable you will be.Lift the baby's bottom with one hand when adjusting, so that you are not trying to adjust all of his weight as well.
- Be sure that your baby's bottom is lower than his knees.
- Once you have baby in the ring sling, pull the shoulder of the ring sling away from your neck. It tends to ride up when putting baby in and adjusting. Simply get your thumb under the shoulder of the ring sling and pull it out away from your neck to where it is more comfortable for you.
- And most importantly - don't give up! Practice makes perfect.
