What better way to celebrate our BABY week here at Blissfully Domestic than by talking about one way to wear those snuggly little wee ones? This is part three in my series on babywearing. Part One and Part Two have some general information on babywearing that you may want to check out.
In moving forward with this series, I would like to focus on each of the major categories of baby carriers. I thought we could start with ring slings today. A ring sling is basically one long rectangular piece of cloth that has been threaded through two rings. The cloth can be any number of materials and may be padded along the edges or unpadded. The rings are generally made from aluminum. The "tail" of the sling – the part that is left over after the cloth has been threaded through the rings – then hangs down from the rings.
When I first started babywearing, I didn't think I would like the ring sling style carrier because of the extra fabric on the tail. That was before I discovered that the tail can be very useful! One of my ring slings (from ChicKen ScRatch) has a pocket sewn on the tail – very handy for stashing keys and pacifiers and my cell phone. The tail has also served me as a nursing cover and as a toddler nose wiper. Another ring sling I have does not have a pocket on the tail and when I wear this one, I just tuck the tail underneath my baby and it creates a more streamlined look.
Ring slings are great for new babies who like the laying down (or cradle) carry. My little ones never liked the cradle carry, but I found great success with the tummy-to-tummy carry in the ring sling. Ring slings are still incredibly useful beyond early infancy as older babies and toddlers usually love to ride on mama's hip – so much easier on mama when the little one is on her hip in the hip carry!
Popular ring slings include zolowear, Ellaroo, Taylor Made, and maya wrap.
I am excited to include reader recommendations in this series. Debra of Days of Grace enjoyed her Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. Mandy of Quiet Radical still loves her Dream Bird Studio ring sling that has taken her youngest from infancy through the preschool years. (I can't find any current links on Dream Bird, but I bet you can still find them around if you shop For Sale Or Trade forums.) Here they are modeling this gorgeous sling for you:
And if you are so inclined, you can also make your own!
Stay tuned for the next article in this series, and don't forget to tell me all about your favorite babywearing carrier!
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I am addicted to my ring sling
It's a beautiful Maya Wrap. I am almost sad that DS is going to outgrow it. I used the same one with DD and I am pretty attached to it. Heck, people in public recognize my sling before my face these days! LOL!