top of page
Search

Babywearing 101

Updated: Mar 18, 2021



1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

https://bit.ly/kjvbibleapp


Hi, Lovely Readers!


I'm excited to discuss babywearing and everything you want to know about it.

If you have a little one that is under 35lbs, this will be a great blog post for you. If you don't have children, this will be very educational, and you can pass it along to other mothers you know.

I want to share my babywearing journey. Then, I will give you some tips, tricks, and share my favorite brand of ring slings. I will make another post about other baby carriers I recommend. I hope you will enjoy reading this blog post.


How babywearing started in our family...


When we had our second child Seth in January 2017, life got a little complicated. There is no doubt that it is a blessing to have children though.

In March 2017, I was just starting to recover from having a cesarean. We were enjoying having another child. Then, I had emergency back surgery to fix what my doctors called foot drop. That story will have to be told another day. It is a huge testimony, and many prayers were answered. This was a traumatic time in our family's life. Fortunately, the surgery was a success, & I have feeling back only above my knee. I am so thankful I am walking today! Praise the Lord.

At this point, we realized my husband Aaron would have to figure out how to juggle two children while I recovered and relearned how to walk on my own.

One day, my friend Mindy reached out to me and told me about babywearing and ring slings. She told me about some brands & also mentioned LoveHeld (it was originally Proverbs 31 Ring Slings). I barely knew what it was all about. I had a cheap mei tai that I got as a gift for my first child Lily. Finding out about babywearing has been a huge blessing for our family.

I researched everything I could about ring slings so Aaron could properly put on a ring sling safely. He took to it and loved it. It made life so much easier. He could hold Seth in the ring sling, hold our daughter lily's hand, and help me with my walker I used after surgery. It was a long recovery, and I am so grateful for babywearing. It got us through a tough time in our life. It also kept our newborn safe & close to my husband. He had built a close bond with our son Seth through this. Seth is 3 now, and sometimes Aaron will try to wear him in a sling. It is so cute.❤


My Favorite Brand


I have tried many brands of ring slings, but one stands out from them all.

LoveHeld is one of my favorite brands out of all the ring slings I own. I own more ring slings (different brands) than you can count on both of your hands. The customer service and the quality is what made me really want to stay with them.

Also, they have an amazing facebook community. If you ever have any questions, concerns, or anything babywearing related, everyone is there for you. I am so thankful to have found LoveHeld. I hope the following information will be helpful & guide you through a joyful time in your bababywearing journey. Thank you for reading today's blog!


......

.......

.......


Please Note:

I am not a babywearing educator. All of the information below was gathered online & YouTube.

Tips & Tricks


Each ring sling should come with a warning/safety tag and instructions on how to use the ring sling.

Please take the time to read all the instructions. If they have a booklet, read it.

Close enough to kiss, baby in your view at all times, rings in corsage position, bum below knees, fabric tight, keep chin off chest, & support baby's back.


There are ways to properly wash and dry a ring sling.

Since they are not just made of cotton & some have patterns or colors, you want to make sure you have a liquid detergent that doesn't have optical brighteners in it.

I hand wash mine in cold water and hang to dry. I don't recommend drying it in the dryer. Some people say they have seen their fabric shrink dramatically.


Ironing is best if you don't want permanent creases, which make it hard to thread. Use medium heat. You can also use the steam setting on the iron. Be careful to not burn the fabric.


Store the ring sling unthreaded & hung up if you will not being using it within the same day.


Safety, proper threading, & ring placement are very important.

If the rings are not threaded properly, the rings are too low, and other things are not done correctly, you will have issues with your back & shoulders. You also want to make sure your baby is in the ring sling safely at all times.


Helpful YouTube Videos


Troubleshooting ring sling threading and adjusting


How to Thread a Ring Sling


Ring Sling front carry: How to avoid mistakes


Tummy to Tummy (Legs Out) In Ring Sling Sakura Bloom


How to Hip Carry with a Ring Sling


If you're having a hard time threading the rings with the fabric, I suggest watching the YouTube videos I have about braiding the ring sling and breaking in your ring sling. You can also use it while pregnant to start breaking it in.


Breaking in Your Ring Sling by Braiding it


Breaking in a linen ring sling


Additional Tricks


Use your ring sling for belly & back support while pregnant.

Ring Sling Belly Support Tutorial


Leave your ring sling in your car during a hot day to help break in the fabric (Out of the sun, since the sun will fade fabric)


Hang it up in the bathroom while showering to help break in fabric.


Ring Sling Positions & YouTube Videos


You can do tummy to tummy or newborn carry with legs in or out, back carry, hip carry, kangaroo carry & breastfeeding carry (temporary only while feeding).


Tummy to Tummy (Legs In)

Tummy to Tummy (Legs Out)

Back Carry

Hip Carry

Kangaroo Carry

Breastfeeding Carry


Aaron wearing Seth as a newborn.

I love babywearing!


Ring Slings


Pros

  • Easy to thread fabric into rings & set up is fast

  • Easy to travel with

  • Different fabrics: linen, chambray, double linen, bamboo, cotton linen, & zcotton

  • Easy to wash

  • Different thickness in fabrics: single, 1.5, and double

  • Can wear a child up to 35lbs


Cons

  • It has a learning curve for beginners, but there are many videos on YouTube.

  • Double ring slings can make you sweat if you live in hot weather.

  • Some fabrics can wrinkle if they are to hung up properly, which can cause permanent creases. That makes it hard to thread.

  • Newborns tend to lean on the rings when asleep.

Ring Sling Companies I Recommend



LoveHeld

(US)

Here is the website below. Check it out!


Aura Leaf

(Canada & US)

True North Ring Slings

(Canada & US)

Sakura Bloom

(US)



I will share information, pros, & cons of other baby carriers soon. For now, check out these websites for some baby carriers including wraps, onbuhimos, and soft structured carriers.

Please don't forget to subscribe to my blog, hit that LOVE button on my blog post, follow my Instagram @proverbialhousewife, like & follow my facebook page @ProverbialHousewife.

Comments

bottom of page