Getting Started with a Sling

by Darien Wilson

So You Just Bought a Sling

Figure 1. Cradle hold with a 2 month old baby. Baby is lying down with his head at the end with the rings. He may look "squished" to you, but unless he complains, he's probably quite comfortable. Maybe you read about slings in The Baby Book by Dr. Sears, or your best friend said hers was a lifesaver. You were excited to get your new sling in the mail, you ripped open the package, and stopped. Where do the rings go again? After a few moments of struggling, you finally got the sling in position, eased your tender new babe into it, and waited for baby bliss to begin.

Then everything fell apart. You felt like baby was going to fall out, baby started wailing, and your new "lifesaver" was causing more problems than it was solving. Other people make it look so easy. Are slings not for you?

Many first-time sling wearers have difficulty at first. Babywearing is an art that takes practice to perfect. Experienced babywearers make it look easy. Some day soon, you too can wear baby in the sling while talking on the phone and washing the dishes, with some patience and experimentation.

A Good Fit is Key
For starters, it's important to have a sling that fits well. Once baby is in the sling, you should be able to tighten the top or outside rail to ensure that baby is safely inside the "pouch" created by the fabric. The top or outside rail is the side of fabric AWAY from your body. You should be able to isolate this piece of fabric and pull it through the rings independently of the rest of the sling. If you can't tighten the top rail because the padding is in the way, your sling is too big. If possible, exchange your sling for a smaller size. Otherwise you could try removing some of the padding yourself.

Baby should be at or above your waist for a secure fit. If you can't get baby this high, your sling is too big. Try adjusting the main pocket of the sling BEFORE you put baby in, and just leave the outside or top rail loose until baby is in the sling. Babies do not like to wait around for a lot of adjusting, so do as much as you can before you put baby in the sling. If your sling is too small, you'll know because you won't be able to fit baby in it, or the tail will be too short. The tail is the part that hangs down in front, the part that you pull on to tighten the sling.

Figure 2. Snuggle hold (or tummy-to- tummy). Most young babies prefer to have their knees bent and feet inside the sling. Older babies prefer their legs out and straddling your waist. Getting Started
Hold the sling in one hand with the rings and tail facing away from you. Slip the sling on over your head, keeping the rings in front. Slip the sling onto your shoulder. The rings should end up in corsage position, in the hollow beneath your shoulder.

When putting baby in the sling, create a wall of fabric against your body, and make sure baby is safely within this pocket. When baby is reclining, fabric should wrap around both sides of baby's body. With upright carries, fabric should go from baby's neck to knees. Try your sling on in front of a mirror to make sure baby is securely in position.

Troubleshooting
Try wearing your baby when baby AND you are well rested and fed. OK, as well rested as you can get these days!

First things first: get moving! Babies often like slings as long as you are moving. Put the sling on and go for a walk, or vacuum or dust the house. Most small babies do not like to be still in the sling.

Still not comfortable? Try a different position. Some babies don't like the cradle hold (see Figure 1) so try the snuggle hold (see Figure 2). A baby who can hold her head up might prefer to face out in the kangaroo carry/buddha hold (legs crossed)(See Figure 3).

Keep experimenting until you find the hold that's most comfortable to you and your baby. Remember - it's an art! Many first-time sling wearers are concerned because baby seems "squished" in the sling. If baby is uncomfortable, you'll hear about it. As long as baby isn't complaining, enjoy the silence and remember what baby must have looked like in utero. Baby will become less squished as he or she gains more head and body control.

Baby can often sense the babywearer's lack of confidence when first using the sling. Sometimes babies who appear to hate the sling actually love it (and often fall fast asleep) when carried by an experienced sling-user. So keep practicing and feel confident that you will both learn to love babywearing.

Is the baby comfortable, but your back is killing you? As long as baby is in proper position, the sling should not cause back pain. And it is certainly easier on your back than carrying a car seat around! If the sling is uncomfortable, check the following:

The sling should rest on you shoulder, not in the crook of your neck.

Rings (if using a ring sling) should be in corsage position, in the hollow below your shoulder.

Your baby should be at or above your waistline

If your back continues to hurt, consider having a massage or chiropractic care. Sometimes back pain while using the sling is more about your back than the sling.