Last post, I started sharing about the benefits of babywearing. I only discovered the magic of baby slings after my second child was born. Although I already had the full arsenal of baby gear from my firstborn, I decided I had to buy a baby sling as well. It’s an investment I’ve never regretted.
Although there are several different kinds of slings and baby carriers in the market, I decided to choose a ring sling. Ring slings are baby carriers that are composed of a length of cloth and two rings made of metal or tough plastic. One end of the cloth is sewn to two rings. Starting from the shoulder, you wrap the cloth around the wearer’s body like a sash, with the end threaded through the rings like a buckle to form a loop. The baby sits or lies in the resulting pouch. The ring sling can be adjusted by simply pulling the fabric through the rings to tighten or loosen the sling. The baby’s weight puts tension on the fabric and the rings, and the resulting friction serves to “lock” the sling in place. The best part of this is that you won’t need another pair of hands to adjust the sling; you can support the baby with one hand while adusting the sling with the other hand. Some ring slings have padding in the shoulder and in the edges or ‘rails’, and can have closed or open tails.
If you’re thinking of buying a ring sling, be sure to check that the materials used must be of sufficient strength to hold your baby’s weight. Check for multiple layers of stitching on the fabric that connects the rings, to be certain of your baby’s safety. I also suggest that you try it on before purchasing, so you can get the feel of it and ascertain if it’ll fit your lifestyle.