I had a fair bit of trouble with my ring sling at first too, and I think it was a combination of c/s recovery (meaning I was a bit wary of positioning it anywhere that might pull or strain me), and at first Jazz seemed to hate it. I mean HATE it! To the point where I actually regretted buying it, I thought "Oh geez I've just wasted money on something I'll never use!".
I also had a hard time positioning her.
Rest assured it IS one of those things that takes practise, and you don't just instinctually know how to do it. Well I didn't!
The way I eased myself into sling use. At first I'd just use it sitting down and feeding her. I'd feed her (I bf, but I'm sure you can ff if you aren't bfing) and let her fall asleep, and then just look at the way she positioned herself. What looked uncomfy to me was actually the positions she preferred to be in; sometimes I still look at her when I have her reclined in it, all squished up in there, and think "how on EARTH are you comfy" but she loves the squish tight feeling I think So thats my first piece of advice, let her choose her own position. If she isn't fussing, then she's comfy. If you think she looks like she's twisting or hurting herself or too squished up then obviously move her, trust your instincts on that, but if she seems ok then most times she is.
From sitting then i just moved to standing and walking, its a bit trickier but just practice around the house before you try it outside the house. Google some different positions and see how they go. Some will work and some wont.
Oh yeah, and sometimes Jazz just fussed, and it wasn't the sling or her position it was just that she was fussy, so if she seems like shes in a comfy position and she's still fussy, give it some time in the sling, rock her a little or go for a walk up and down the hall and see if it soothes her. Most of the time it will
We got to the point, at 3ish months, where if Jazz saw the sling she'd get so excited, it was gorgeous and definately made me feel so special hehe
We are still using it now, its a bit awkward to feed her in it and walk since she's so long, but 95% of the time if I am out I have her on my hip or tummy in the sling rather than in the pram. I vacuum with her in the sling (great when she is fighting sleep, she just nods right off to the movement and noise, go figure! LOL!). I love my ring sling! I would have paid 4 times as much for it, considering the times it has saved my sanity!!!!!!!!!! Dunno what I would have done without it!
I agree with what Leasha said. I found it awkward at first too with DS1 but by the time DS2 was born I was using it with ease.
There are two things to remember - firstly, that babies are comfortable in the oddest positions. And secondly - bottom first and bum on seam. Also put the baby/infant in bottom first, and make sure they go on the seam. So in the lying position, make sure the baby is positioned along the seam. In the kangaroo carry (or sitting) position (down the track), the bottom still goes in first and they kind of sit bottom down on the seam with legs higher than bum. It looks squishy and uncomfortable but they love it - I suspect it's very womb-like for them.
Keep at it - it will get easier and it's well worth it. A sling is so much easier when you go out, it's a life-saver for settling babies, and it's really good for them (and you). Babies who are worn cry less which is a huge bonus.
Oh, one other thing - if you have a teddy or doll which is about baby-sized, it's a good idea to practice with that a few times so you can get the hang of it without upsetting your little one.
i too had similar issues when i tried the ring sling at first. we started using it in the second week. DD was a tiny tiny baby and like you i felt that she was too bunched up in the lying position...not to mention that she also HATED it with a particular zeal! like Leasha said, i began to question whether i had just wasted a squidload of cash LOL!
the best position we used was the tummy to tummy. i started doing it around the time DD had been fed and was ready for a nap (she was then a little more forgiving of her mummy's 'steep learning curve' LOL!). i would hang the sling over my shoulders ready to put her in it, while i was sitting down (usually on the bed) then i would curl DD onto my belly so that she was sitting in a squatting position (ie with her knees drawn up onto her belly) then i would slip the sling over and under her bum with the seam tucked up firmly under her feet and slightly drawn up onto my belly. and then, while still supporting her i would slowly tighten the sling. one thing i found was that if i tightened it fast, DD would kinda freak as she noticed that i stopped 'holding' her. so by going a bit slower and gradually tying it up as i was getting up and moving about i found the transition easy enough. after that DD was all good in it (and 20 months down the track we still use it!).
good luck! it is worth trying to master it as they are so handy to pack in a handbag and rip out when needed. (also good for airports!)
I've got a few slings and I wish I had have had the close carrier when my DD was a newborn.
It's like a Hug-a_bub but you dont have to tie it
I had a peanut shell so sort of like a ring sling and I could never get Elise in a comfy position, she hated it.
The close is just as easy to use but they are upright on your chest so it's just like you are cuddling them without the hands.
I carried her for hours when she was first born and still do, she has a need to be carried all the time, hates the pram, won't be put on the floor.
You get used to it slowly and the more you wear bubs the easier it gets as you get used to them as they get bigger. I notice it on my thighs now that she is getting to the 7kg mark, if you have a good carrier you shouldn't feel fatigue in your back/shoulders, I don't my legs get sore before anything cause I am not in the best shape right now!
Last edited by ll80; May 15th, 2009 at 02:05 PM.
: more info
I think I need to persist at this a little longer, then. I'll keep trying with the sling - will try to get the tummy-to-tummy position right, maybe with DH's help we can sort it out. If that still doesn't work for me the next thing I'll try is a wrap I've borrowed from my sister - I think it's a didymos, not certain.
It certainly is true that this stuff doesn't seem to come "automatically", or at least it certainly doesn't to me. Steep learning curve!
So thats my first piece of advice, let her choose her own position. If she isn't fussing, then she's comfy. If you think she looks like she's twisting or hurting herself or too squished up then obviously move her, trust your instincts on that, but if she seems ok then most times she is.
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