FAQ - "How Do You Keep Baby Secure in a Ring Sling?"

Submitted by Valerie! Thanks again, Valerie! Keep 'em coming! =-)

"I have a ring sling and I want to continue to use it, but I always feel like he is wiggling out of it and I don't feel like he is secure. How long can I wear him in a ring sling? And can you give some pointers on the best way to wear him in it so that he and I both feel he is secure?"

You can wear a baby in a ring sling as long as the baby is within the manufacturer's weight guidelines (many are up to 35 lbs, but be sure to check your particular brand), and as long as it is physically comfortable for you. If the ring is positioned correctly (in front of your shoulder, rather than on top of your shoulder) and the fabric is spread to distribute the weight, most people can wear their babes up to the manufacturer's weight recommendation with no problems.

There are a couple of key points to making sure that your baby is secure in a ring sling, in the carrying positions designed for older babies (hip and back carries, for example).

1. Make sure the fabric is spread not only under the baby's butt, but well under the thighs. I always spread the fabric almost all the way to the underside of my son's knees, which creates what I call the "butt hammock". You can then cinch up that edge of the fabric through the ring to make sure the baby has a "seat" ("butt hammock") for their little buns to sink into a bit, thus securing their weight.

2. Spread the other edge of the fabric up by the baby's armpits or shoulders, and be sure to cinch this edge up through the ring as well. This keeps the baby's torso close to you, so the baby can't lean away from you and create a dangerous situation.

By spreading the fabric both low (knees) and high (shoulders) and tightening each edge, you are able to keep your baby snug and secure as they get older and curiosity makes them more wiggly! =-)

FAQ - "How do I wash my sling?" (And a Wallababy Coupon Code!)

Submitted by Valerie. Thanks Valerie! Great question!

"I have had my Wallababy Ring Sling since my son was born, but I haven't used it very often. I used my Moby Wrap a lot, but now that he is older I am using the Walla. I love it, but now I want to wash it and I am unsure of anything special I need to do. I have tried to find the washing instructions but came up empty handed, so I am calling in the expert. How do I wash this (hot, cold)? Is it dryer safe? I am going on a trip and I want to take it along, but it has got to be washed first. Thanks for the info."

The vast majority of slings can be washed in the same basic way. That being said, of course if a particular manufacturer's instructions advise washing any other way than what I'm about to detail, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Okay, disclaimer over...

A general rule of thumb for most ring slings (especially cotton) would be to machine wash cold and lay flat or hang to dry. Some can be machine dried, but if you aren't sure it's better to err on the side of caution and air dry. If you don't have a clothesline handy, you can do this by laying one end of the sling over the back of a dining chair, and the other end over the back of another chair.

Wallababy brand slings can be machine washed on cold. Hang drying or laying flat is ideal, but if you can't wait that long, the manufacturer gives the a-okay for machine drying. She recommends putting a sock over the rings so they don't clang too much in the washer and dryer!

Since Wallababy slings were mentioned by name in this FAQ, I emailed the manufacturer to double check her brand's washing recommendations. When she replied, she was sweet enough to offer a coupon code for Cloth and Carrier 101 readers to use!

Use coupon code cc09 at Wallababy.com to receive $5.00 off any order!