hey there!

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!)