Baby ring slings are a versatile, fun and easy-to-use baby carrier that allows you to go anywhere with your baby snuggled up closely to you. Ring slings are the best known type of sling carrier and are generally the lowest cost option. Though some styles of ring slings can be purchased at major retailers, shopping online will bring you more colors and patterns than you can imagine.
A ring sling is made from a long, loose piece of fabric, usually cotton, with two large rings at one end and a long, fabric "tail" at the other end. The tail end is adjusted through the metal rings to form a pouch to hold the baby snuggly against the caregiver. The sling is worn over one shoulder, allowing the caregiver close contact with the child while leaving hands free.
A ring sling is a popular baby carrying choice for many people. There are padded and unpadded versions, depending on how much support you want for your baby, and how much room you want the sling to take up in the diaper bag when you're not using it.
The versatility of a ring sling is one of its major selling points. A ring sling can be adjusted to fit most any size adult caregiver, making it unnecessary to purchase multiple carriers in a family. The baby can be held lying down or sitting up, on the back or front or hip, and facing the caregiver or facing out, away from the wearer.
Two other factors that add to the popularity of ring slings are the "popability" factor and their use to facilitate breastfeeding. Popability refers to the ease with which a baby in a carrier can move from a lying down to a sitting up position, or how easy it is to "pop" a toddler in and out of a carrier. Ring slings are particularly effective for this purpose. They are also known for being discreet and easy to use for breastfeeding, both at home and in public.
Those who love ring slings point out how much more convenient they are than toting around a heavy car seat baby carrier, and how easy they make it to carry a baby who insists on being held just as you're preparing the salad for dinner or finishing an important project.
If you're out in the park or at the mall, a ring sling keeps your child close to you and comforted without your having to tote around a bulky stroller or chase him or her around the aisles or away from the duck pond.
The benefits of ring slings, then, include their versatility, allowing you to use the same baby carrier from the infant to the toddler stage, and allowing any caregiver of the child to use the same carrier. It allows many styles of baby carrying, and the long tail can be used to offer discreet cover while breastfeeding, shade from the sun, or (with the addition of a pocket) hold wipes, keys, etc.
The negatives of ring slings are that the long piece of fabric takes some getting used to. Some people have difficulty mastering the adjustment of the rings and the tail.
Though ring slings may take a few attempts to get used to adjusting and wearing the sling, they are a great option which lets you spend more building a closeness and bonding with your baby.
About the Author: Maria Cummings is a devoted parent, wife and expert author on family matters and parenting. She is devoted to helping children's organizations and activities. Maria is also the Sales Manager for BustlingBaby.com which offers a variety of sling carriers and ring slings which promote healthy infant bonding through baby wearing.
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