What's a Ring Sling?

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Baby Brendan, 2 days old!
Probably the most widely available and well-known sling, a ring sling is worn like a sash over one shoulder and the opposite hip, and the fabric is threaded through two aluminum or nylon rings and a tail hangs down. The baby sits in a pouch created by the fabric. There are many different carrying positions for a sling including tummy to tummy, cradle hold in two directions, hip carry, front facing out and on the back.

I know a lot of people that swear by their mei tais and won't use anything else and I love my mei tais too. But I find myself reaching for a ring sling when I'm finishing up dinner or just need five more minutes to get the laundry done and don't want to mess with tying on a mei tai. Because it is so easy to pop a baby in and out of a ring sling, they're great for running in and out of the store or dealing with an "up and down" toddler, and they are by far the best carrier for nursing a newborn. It's also possible to put on a ring sling with one hand while holding a baby, even a sleeping one, whereas you have to put down the baby or get someone to help you put on a mei tai. I also like using a ring sling at church as it is a little fancier than a mei tai, and again, if the baby gets fussy, you can immediately pop the baby in and settle them down without disturbing everyone. I'm also able to nurse a little more discreetly in a ring sling than I am in a mei tai. It's my personal opinion that between a mei tai and a ring sling, you'll be set for any carry you want to do from newborn to toddlerhood and beyond.

Pros

  • Easy to put on and use
  • Great for popping baby in and out
  • Wonderful for newborns
  • Best carrier for nursing
  • Infinitely adjustable
  • Many different wearing positions
  • Baby can easily transition well from laying down to nurse to upright and vice versa
  • Baby in the front means you can see what he/she is doing
  • Can put it on with one hand while holding baby
  • Can be used as a blanket, changing pad, sun covering, burp cloth, etc.
  • Can be used from newborn to toddlers
     

Cons

  • One shoulder carrier can cause discomfort after long periods with heavier babies
  • Harder to carry a toddler for long periods
  • Slight learning curve to fine-tune the fit
  • Not great as a back carrier
  • If mom and dad are drastically different sizes, may need to order separate sling