Newborn Ring Sling Tips and Tricks!
There is something magical about wearing your newborn in a ring sling for the first time....
But when using a ring sling with a newborn, we can sometimes encounter challenges and frustrations. Am I using the baby carrier correctly? Is my baby comfortable? We can feel unsure with such a tiny babe, but don't worry. We're here to help!
This article walks you through how to wear your newborn in a ring sling and frequently asked questions to help you feel confident when using a sling with your newborn.
THE SHORT VERSION
- Ring slings are safety tested for babies 7–35 lbs; start with a smaller pouch pre-loaded to minimize adjusting once baby is in.
- Newborns can be carried either tummy-to-tummy with legs in (newborn carry) or legs out (front carry).
- Keep baby snug but not constricted: always check that their airway is visible, their chin is off their chest, and you can kiss the top of their head.
- Fabric choice matters less than comfort; single-layer fabrics like linen/cotton blend are easiest for beginners.
- Plus-size parents can absolutely use a ring sling. Center baby over the breast farthest from the rings if needed, and schedule a personalized fit check for one-on-one support.
How to Use a Ring Sling with a Newborn
To use a ring sling with a newborn, set yourself up for a front carry. First thread and position the sling on your body correctly. If you need help with these steps, check out our full ring sling instructions.
For safety, newborns should only be positioned in a front or slightly off-center carry, not a full hip carry like older babies or toddlers. Your two positioning options are a front carry (legs out) or a newborn carry (legs in). Either way, your newborn should be worn up high with their head resting on your chest. Try positioning them with their legs out first, but if they too curled up to try this or seem uncomfortable, you can try legs in. Read more in the visual newborn guide below:
Size your pocket
Bunch all the pocket fabric in the hand opposite the rings so it feels like one strand, kept taut across your back. Slide your hand to the center of your chest and look at the hole you made. Tighten through the rings until the hole looks just a little too small for baby. Then drop that hand to your body so the sling forms an L. Your hand height is where baby's bottom will sit, so aim for a height that lets baby's head rest on your chest.
Too small for my baby? Yes, we mean it. Look down and think, "it looks like my baby might not fit through there." That is the size you want. It is much easier to loosen a snug pocket than to tighten a loose one.
Isolate the hems in the rings
Find the top and bottom hems in the rings and spread them to opposite ends so each sits by itself. A finger walk here is optional and just for looks.
Load your baby
Hold baby high on the shoulder opposite the rings, as high as feels safe, supported by your opposite hand. Bring your ring-side hand up through the pocket, gather baby's legs, and guide them onto the tube of fabric with the tube in their knee pits. If they will not fit, lift the top ring and loosen a little at a time until they do.
Settle baby on the sling
Center baby on your chest with their head right under your chin. Their knees sit above their bottom, and their bottom comes over the tube so you cannot see the tube underneath. If baby is too high or you have to crane your neck, loosen a small amount at a time until they sit comfortably centered.
Check your rings
Loading baby often pulls the rings down. If you lost your shoulder cap, push up on baby's bottom and shrug your ring-side shoulder to slide everything back into place. If it will not budge, loosen a touch and reposition before you tighten.
Important: watch your baby's development closely. Once baby starts pushing up to stand against the fabric, legs in becomes a fall risk. Move them to the legs out position at that point.
Size your pocket, then fold it
Size the pocket the same way as legs out: bunch the fabric into one strand, center it over your chest, and tighten until the hole looks just a little too small. Then fold the pocket in half so the bottom hem meets the top hem without twisting. That folded pocket is where baby sits with legs in.
Still make that pocket small before you fold it. A snug start is easier to fine-tune than a loose one.
Isolate the hems in the rings
Find the top and bottom hems in the rings and spread them to opposite ends so each sits by itself. A finger walk here is optional and just for looks.
Load your baby
Hold baby high on the opposite shoulder and separate the two hems to open the pocket. Guide baby down so their bottom lands in the lowest point of the pocket, legs froggied next to or in front of them. All of their weight rests on their bottom, none on their legs or feet.
Check baby's bottom and height
Make sure baby's bottom is the lowest point. All weight should be on bottom. Feet should be froggied above bottom. If you feel baby's feet at the bottom of the pocket, reposition baby. Also check that you can kiss the top of baby's head. If you can't, baby is too low, which means the pocket is too big. If baby is in your face or you can't keep your neck in a neutral position, baby is too high, which means the pocket is too small. Adjust in small amounts to get it right.
Check your rings
Your rings should still be in place after you position baby in the pocket. If they slipped too low, try bringing the whole pocket around you both to lift the rings back up, though it can be tricky to keep baby centered with all their weight on their bottom while you do it. If your rings keep sliding down, you are probably starting with too big of a pocket.
Once you get your newborn positioned correctly, it's time to guide the fabric up and make a seat (legs out only) and tighten your sling (both newborn positions).
Move the top hem up
Inch the top hem up baby's back with your thumb. Bring it up to the nape of your newborn's the neck. As you go, keep the rest of the fabric down at baby's knees.
This part should feel a little stuck. If it feels too easy or all the fabric pops out, your pocket was probably too big. If you cannot get the hem up baby's back at all, it was too small, so loosen a little and try again.
Make a seat (legs out only)
If baby is already knee to knee with knees above their bottom, your seat is made. If not, support baby, bring your ring-side hand behind their near leg, reach to the far knee pit, grab the fabric at their knees, and hinge at your hips. Let gravity help you scoop the fabric up and around their bottom in a straight line from knee pit to knee pit.
Aim for a straight line from knee pit to knee pit, not a triangle. Pulling up lots of fabric between you two does not deepen the seat, it just makes the bottom hem harder to tighten.
Tighten in thirds
Work the sling in three sections. Top hem first: move the slack to the rings, push up gently on baby's bottom to unlock the rings, and pull the top hem straight across an inch or two at a time. Then the middle: pinch a few inches below the top hem, move any slack to the rings, and pull toward your opposite hip. Then the bottom hem: reach behind your back, move slack toward baby's knees, keep the deep seat, and pull straight down.
Start with the top hem for a newborn who needs head and neck support.
Our Top Tips on Using a Ring Sling With a Newborn
Place your baby in the carrier when they are happy and content.
Start with a smaller pouch when prepping the ring sling for your baby. Less adjusting = a happier baby!
Once in the ring sling, ensure you can always see the baby's airway, that they are close enough for you to kiss their head, and that their spine and neck are well supported.
For more tips, check out our baby carrier tutorials on our website.
Newborn Ring Sling FAQ
Are ring slings safe for newborns?
Yes! Ring slings are one of our favorite safe and hands-free newborn carriers. Ring slings support a newborn's head, neck, and trunk in their spine in the proper C-shape and the hips and knees in the proper M-shape. Ring slings are super snuggly, fast to get on and take off, and allow for easy feeding support. All great features for that fourth trimester!
What are the benefits of babywearing a newborn?
According to pediatrician Dr. Brittany Mitchell, the evidence-based benefits of babywearing are:
- improving bonding and attachment
- less crying
- boosting breastfeeding success
- allowing hands-free time for other tasks or caring for other children
What is the weight requirement for a newborn ring sling?
All our ring slings are safety tested for infants and toddlers weighing 7 to 35 pounds. If you want to use your ring sling before your baby is 7 pounds, seek advice from your healthcare provider!
How do you position your newborn?
When using a ring sling with a newborn, you can use two carries: tummy to tummy with legs in (commonly known as a "newborn carry") and tummy to tummy with legs out (known as a "front carry" and is suitable for newborns as well). There isn’t a "best carry" with a newborn in a ring sling, as it’s dependent on you and your babe!
Some babies love to be carried in the ring sling with their legs in, and some prefer their legs out immediately. We recommend trying with legs out first. You'll eventually need to switch to this anyway for safety once baby starts trying to push against or stand on the fabric with legs in. If baby seems uncomfortable or won't uncurl, try legs in. Whichever feels better for you and your newborn is fine!
Check out our step-by-step visual guide for more details!
Which fabric is best for a newborn?
The best ring sling will be the one you're most comfortable using! All of our fabrics are pre-washed and soft enough for your newborn. If you’re new to using a ring sling, you may prefer to use a ring sling made with a single layer of fabric like our linen/cotton blend, as it will be easier to learn with.
Is there a time limit for using a ring sling with a newborn?
There’s no time limit! You can wear your newborn in a ring sling as long as you and your baby are comfortable and happy.
Can plus-size parents wear their newborn in a ring sling?
Absolutely! We've heard from some plus-size parents that they are concerned about using a ring sling with a newborn, but we promise you won’t hurt your baby! Your little one will let you know if they feel uncomfortable. If you are concerned that their legs are too stretched, you can center them over the breast farthest from the rings rather than centered on your chest.
How do you keep your baby's feet from turning in?
It’s OK if their feet turn! Look at your baby’s natural positioning when you hold them on your chest: this is the position you want them to assume when they are in the ring sling, with their legs in. If you’re doing the legs out carry, it’s absolutely fine for their legs to turn in a bit, instead of out, like you see with older babies.
How do you maintain an ergonomic position in the ring sling?
Some newborns prefer to tuck their feet under their hips, while others may choose the “froggy position,” where their legs fall to either side of their body. Both of these positions are suitable and safe.
The main safety checks when using a newborn carry are:
- ensure your baby is not sitting on their feet
- keep them close enough to kiss
- check that their airway is clear
- make sure their back is well supported and they're not slouching to either side
How do you keep the rings in the proper position?
We have two recommendations for keeping your rings in the proper position when adjusting your ring sling:
- Start with a smaller pouch for your baby so that you don’t have as much adjusting to do once your baby is in the sling.
- Place the rings higher up on your shoulder before getting your baby into the ring sling. If you are still struggling with getting a good fit with your ring sling, you can always schedule a fit check or email us, and we are happy to provide personalized help!
How tight should the ring sling be?
Your sling should be snug over both you and your baby. You should be able to easily run a finger across both the top and (if legs are out) bottom seam. You’ll also want the fabric to be as smooth as possible over the baby’s back, as that will offer you the most support.
Do you have any other carriers recommended for newborns?
Ring slings are our first love, but we know not every carrier works for every family. If you're looking for other snuggly, safe, and supportive newborn carriers, we suggest our baby wrap, Sprout Newborn Carrier, or meh dai. Want to learn more? Read our separate post for all of our top newborn baby carrier picks
Meet the Author
Justine Alexander
Justine is hope&plum’s Community Care Manager. She found babywearing at an important time in her journey through motherhood. It helped her bond with her children and get through the day-to-day. Now, Justine is happy to help others navigate the babywearing world and find community at a time when it’s easy to feel alone. When she’s not writing blogs or answering customer questions online, Justine likes to spend time with her four kiddos, read, and rewatch movies from her childhood.
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