Things You'll Need:
- Ring-style sling
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Step 1
Hold the sling's rings in the palm of one hand. The rings will end up on the opposite shoulder. Choose the shoulder that feels most comfortable to you and hold the rings in the opposite hand. Pass the rings over your head to the opposite shoulder. They should rest at about the height you would wear a corsage or just a bit higher.
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Step 2
Create a deep pocket by pulling up the fabric closest to you. This creates the inner wall of the pocket. Pull the outermost material out and push down on the fabric in between. You should have a pocket that is now ready for your baby.
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Step 3
Pick up your baby and hold him facing out. Lift him and criss-cross is legs in front of his body. Lift his legs up to touch his chest so that they are higher than his bottom.
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Step 4
Lower your baby, bottom-first, into the sling while you continue to support her weight. Your baby's bottom should be significantly lower than her folded legs--this balances your baby properly, as her larger head will tend to pull her forward.
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Step 5
While supporting your baby's weight, lift him up under his bottom from the outside of the sling and pull out and then down on the fabric in the rings to tighten the sling. You want your baby to be about chest level in a place that feels comfortable to you. Adjust the outer material so that your baby's legs are covered and secured by the sling. You can pull on one edge of the material in the rings to tighten just the outside wall of your sling. The other edge will tighten the material between you and your baby.
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Step 6
Check your positioning with baby is now secure. There should be fabric between your chest and your baby's back, and the outer fabric around baby's legs and feet should be tight. If your baby's bottom is low enough, you should feel like baby is slightly leaning back--not forward. Your baby's feet will come up to his chest-level, though they may not fully touch his chest. The outermost fabric will gently hold his legs in place at this level. Sounds awkward, but babies like this feeling of being bundled up.
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Step 7
Spread the material out and over your shoulder where it gathers before the rings. The material will cup your shoulder, and the material across your back will cover a larger portion. This will more evenly distribute the weight of your baby and make the position more comfortable for you.
