There are four basic steps to properly use a ring sling: Thread, Prep, Sling, and Adjust.

STEP ONE: THREAD

For some, this first step can be the most daunting but its main purpose is to ensure the sling is not twisted before you begin.

1. With the fabric draping flat across your back, hold the rings over your shoulder in one hand with the safety tag facing down and the tail end in the other. It does not matter which shoulder the rings are on. Just make sure that the fabric is not twisted.
2. Bunch the fabric of the tail from top to bottom in one hand and pass the tail through both rings. The pockets should now face downwards, physically touching your shoulder.
3. Flip the end of the tail so that the pockets face outward then pass this end through the bottom ring. This is similar to threading a belt.
4. Pull the tail through, leaving some material bunched up between the rings.
5. Slide both thumbs under this material and “finger-walk” your fingers through the material making sure to fan it out, smoothing any kinks that bunched up as you passed the tail through the bottom ring and, most importantly, position the top and bottom rails on the outside so that they do not fold in. Rails are the hems on the long edges of the ring sling.
6. Grab the tail by the top and bottom rails (left and right hems) and tug gently, flattening the bunched up material between the rings. Continue tugging on the tail moving from the outside rails in to the middle of the fabric. The material between the rings should now look flat and pleated but not twisted.

Myth busted: Some people think you have to re-thread every time you use the ring sling, but you don’t! The beauty of ring-slinging is that once threaded, you can throw the sling over your shoulder and start babywearing in under a minute. Just make sure that the material threaded through the rings isn’t overlapping too much and that the top and bottom rail are placed top and bottom, not folded in on themselves. If it is, quickly finger-walk the material again just to smooth it out then pull the tail through the rings.

STEP TWO: PREP

In this step, you will form a pouch for your baby to fit easily into place.

1. Pull the bottom rail of your tail (right hem). This will pull the material lying closest to your body snug against your chest and upper abdomen. Do not pull too tightly.
2. Raise your arm opposite the rings and bend your elbow close against your side inside the pouch. Grab the top rail with this hand and determine if the pouch is roomy enough or too roomy for the size of your baby.
3. Adjust by pulling the top rail of your tail (left hem) with your opposite hand.

STEP THREE: SLING

Now that you have created the perfect size pouch for your baby to be placed into, it is time to sling.

1. Slide rings high on your shoulder or slightly behind your shoulder.
2. Pick up your baby and hold him in a high burp position on the shoulder opposite the rings.
3. Slide your ring-side hand under the sling pouch and gently pull baby’s feet under the pouch.
4. Pull the top rail up, stretching the fabric up baby’s back.
5. Tuck the material touching your body up and between baby’s hips to form a seat for baby’s bottom.
6. Pull extra material starting near your armpit and across baby’s back toward the rings and tighten by pulling the top rail of the tail down and back across baby’s back.

STEP FOUR: ADJUST

Now it’s time to get comfortable.

1. Lift baby’s bottom and at the same time pull the fabric down over your shoulder forming a capped shoulder.
2. Pull the top rail once again to tighten any slack around baby’s back.
3. Reach behind you and pull the bottom rail down your back to make sure the fabric is smooth and flat. This ensures that the weight is well distributed across your body.
4. Continue adjusting the top rail, bottom rail, lifting baby’s bum and adjusting your capped shoulder until both of you feel very comfortable.

CHECKPOINTS

Make sure you are slinging correctly by checking off the following security checkpoints:

• Baby’s head is close enough to kiss.
• Baby’s airways are open and her chin is off your chest.
• Legs are in “M” position, bent at the knees with weight borne primarily in her bottom.
• Knees are higher than baby’s bottom.
• Fabric forming the seat stretches from knee to knee.
• Fabric stretches flat across baby’s back with top rail at or above baby’s shoulder blades.