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ring sling with overlapping pleat shoulder

CheckoutRemaining points: 0, for in-stock fabric slings/accessories sewn and sent July 24 (What are points? They do not apply to things you send to me -- check/money order payments, sling and wrap redos, or custom slings; or to the new STBS and vibrant collections.)

Next scheduled points renewal: Thursday, July 24, 12pm Eastern time, for slings sewn and sent on Friday, July 25. I have returned to a daily, rather than weekly, points allocation, but as my time is still limited by the fact that the kids are home all day, the number of points will be similarly limited.

Contents:

  1. Threading the sling
  2. Putting the sling on
  3. Positions:
    1. Cradle hold and Nursing in the cradle hold
    2. "Football" hold for nursing
    3. Tummy-to-tummy hold and Nursing in the t2t hold
    4. Kangaroo/front-facing
    5. Back carry
    6. Hip carry
  4. Other usage suggestions
  5. Troubleshooting

Back carry:

Please note: These positions take a little more caution than the front-carries. Please have another adult nearby to assist you when you are first practicing these positions, especially with small infants! These directions are written as though you were alone, but it is a good idea to have someone helping you at first anyway.

If you have another adult nearby, you can start with the sling rings in front (in their normal position) and just have your partner put the baby in the sling.

The following can be helpful when you are alone (given the caveats above).

Back carry for infants:

The same caveats apply to her airway here as in the standard cradle carry – please be aware of her breathing at all times! Please check from time to time that the fabric is away from your baby's face, and that s/he isn't having any trouble breathing -- his/her neck should be in a "neutral" position, so that it isn't bent at an odd angle or his head tilted in an extreme way. If you can't check on her position on a very regular basis, DO NOT USE THIS POSITION. It is of utmost importance that her airway remains clear.

Start with the rings on your back, about in the same place as they would be on your front.

  

Slide the baby into the body of the sling with her head opposite the ring end. Snug the fabric closely around her body, and be sure she will not flip out when you are moving her! (This is where a helper is handy.)

Keeping one hand on the baby, shift her around towards your back. You can pull on the rings at the same time you lift up the baby. This takes a fair amount of practice. Always keep one hand on the baby. Please practice this maneuver with another adult ready to catch the baby if it goes wrong, or at the very least, while you are sitting on a bed or couch.

Adust and tighten the sling as needed when the baby is in the desired position on your back. The top edge should be particularly snug! Be sure to check the baby's position frequently with a mirror or another adult, especially if you are moving around a lot.

If she seems unhappy in this position, I would suggest a carrier specifically designed for back carrying, like a wrap or a mei tai (see my Links page for some great sources). Using a back carry in a sling with an infant is all right if you don't have any other choice, but I would recommend a specialized carrier if you can manage it.

The same caveats apply to her airway here, too – please be aware of her breathing at all times! Please check from time to time that the fabric is away from your baby's face, and that s/he isn't having any trouble breathing -- his/her neck should be in a "neutral" position, so that it isn't bent at an odd angle or his head tilted in an extreme way. If you can't check on her position on a very regular basis, DO NOT USE THIS POSITION. It is of utmost importance that her airway remains clear.

Back carry for bigger babies and toddlers:

Start with the rings in the back as above, and put the baby or toddler in the hip carry.

Make sure the fabric is above a baby's shoulders, and at least up to a toddler's armpits. Keeping one hand on the child, lift up on him slightly while pulling the rings forward, transferring her to your back.

You can keep her either on you hip behind your arm, or higher up on your back, as though you were carrying her piggy-back. Either way, make sure the fabric is high on her back the whole time (check frequently in a mirror or with a friend), especially if she is prone to arching her back.

I like to tuck the tail into the sling behind me, to hide what the sling does to my breast when Sophie's on my back!

Next: Hip carry

 

 

about the slings | using your sling | products | shopping info | your account | faqs | about sbp