The Best Ring Sling Baby Carrier Styles to Keep Baby Close

Babywearing is basically a necessity. After all, you’ve probably got a lot on your to-do list that requires free hands! Keeping your little one in a baby sling close to your chest helps comfort them and frees you up to get things done. But the practice is also valuable beyond the infant stages—which is why “toddler wearing” is a thing. Sometimes, it’s just more convenient to carry a tot than to make them trot on their own. While there are multiple types of infant carriers (and toddler carriers at that), many moms opt for a comfy, sturdy ring sling baby carrier to keep their child close. They’re less bulky than more structured styles and easier to use than baby wraps since they come with—you guessed it—rings that help them stay fastened. Ease of use isn’t the only benefit though—a baby sling can help you form a physical bond with your child, as your bodies will be cozily pressed together whenever you wear one. Plus, the ample fabric and placement of a ring sling baby carrier can make discreet breastfeeding a breeze. Ready to decide if a ring sling is the right choice for you? Read on for the full info, then shop our picks of the best ring sling baby carriers on the market.

What Is a Ring Sling Baby Carrier?

You’ve probably seen a ring sling “out in the wild” a couple of times and wondered what it was and how it worked. To answer your question, we chatted with Alex Sparrow, founder of The Well Carried Child and a certified babywearing consultant based out of Raleigh, North Carolina. “A ring sling baby carrier is a horizontal piece of fabric with rings attached to one end to secure the fabric around the caregiver’s body, which creates a pouch to hold the baby,” she explained. There tend to be no buckles, snaps or fasteners; the rings alone ensure a tight, anchored fit, which makes the feel a lot more flexible and fluid.

A ring sling baby carrier is a great choice for new parents in the fourth trimester when you’re starting to get into a routine and want to establish a close bond. It makes sense: Baby wants to be connected to you; they want to hear the heartbeat that was familiar to them in the womb and feel the warmth and tenderness of your touch. With a ring sling that hugs their tiny body ever-so-gently—and pulls them close to your heart—they’ll experience a sense of calm that can ease their fussiness, lull them to rest and even facilitate successful nursing sessions (if that’s your feeding journey!).

Baby slings vs. baby wraps: What’s the difference?

Wondering if a ring sling is the same as a baby wrap? While both soft carriers offer a quick and easy way to get your infant on and ready to ride for whatever comes next (be it a nice walk outside or errand running), they differ in how they’re worn and distribute baby’s weight. A ring sling baby carrier is worn diagonally over the body—from shoulder to opposite hip and has—at most, three wearable positions: front, hip and potentially back (this last option is only acceptable after baby turns one). A wrap, on the other hand, is usually wrapped around your shoulders and across your torso in infinite configurations that support front, hip and back carrying. Both carriers free up your hands, but, with a ring sling, the weight can be felt on your one shoulder, while a wrap carrier evenly distributes the weight across your hips and shoulders. “A ring sling is one type of baby carrier, just like there are different types of shoes better for different activities,” explains Sparrow. She continues, “a baby wrap, which can be made of two-way stretchy or woven fabric, is a different type of baby carrier, not any better or worse.” All in all, which style you choose to use largely comes down to personal preference.

What To Look For in a Ring Sling Baby Carrier

First and foremost, trust your intuition. Consider your ring sling an extension of your wardrobe and opt for one that fits your style and feels comfortable. You’ll want it to be adjustable to your body shape and accommodate your infant’s size. Though most ring sling baby carriers can safely hold infants from 8 pounds all the way up to 35 pounds, you’ll also want to be sure you’re not taking chances with a newborn who is too small or a toddler who is maxing out the weight capacity. Here, a few other features to keep in mind:

• Adjustability. For more straightforward adjustments, Sparrow recommends ring sling baby carriers with different colors on the top and bottom edges or horizontal stripes. Feel free to shop around a little (not many ring sling brands are available in stores, so you’ll likely need to shop online) to try out different fabric lengths and sizes; you can always return what you don’t like. After all, what feels best on your body might differ from what feels best to your friend, especially if you (and your kids) are shaped differently. To this end, some brands will offer you a complimentary fit session with one of their style consultants after you purchase a ring sling. Still feeling a bit stuck? “Sometimes you may need an extra pair of hands, such as a certified babywearing consultant, like myself,” Sparrow adds. This way, you can become more familiar with the finer details of babywearing to ensure you and baby are comfortably supported.

• Breathability. With newborns, the natural need for a womb-like atmosphere is very apparent in the first few weeks of life. But when you’re using a fabric carrier, there’s a fine line between cozy and too-confined. Look for slings crafted from materials like cotton, linen, silk and/or bamboo which are more breathable fabrics and help with airflow.

• Compliance. The best baby ring sling carriers aren’t only parent-approved but also have institutional approval. Turn to ASTM- and CPSC-certified products for added peace of mind. Both parties have put out ring sling safety guidelines. You also may want to scope out slings with a “hip-healthy” sign-off from organizations like The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI).

Best Ring Sling Baby Carriers To Shop

Ready to start your search? We’ve rounded up some of the best ring slings on the market, like a fashion-forward baby ring sling carrier, a breastfeeding-friendly option and even a versatile water ring sling for the beach and other sunny summer adventures. To help narrow your choices down, we’ve asked The Bump community—real parents, just like you—to tell us about the ring slings they use with their babies. Keep reading to check out their thoughts, alongside our top picks for every lifestyle and budget.

How We Chose the Best Ring Sling Baby Carriers

We get it—parenting requires a lot of gear, and it can be hard to find the best fit for your family every step of the way. To narrow down your search for a standout ring sling baby carrier, we aimed to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. We considered several factors when sourcing ring slings, such as ease of use, quality and durability, style, value, material and weight capacity. We also read user reviews and surveyed hundreds of parents in The Bump community to get the lowdown on how these carriers have worked for families, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

Moreover, to make sure we’re highlighting ring sling baby carriers that are safe and effective, we chatted with a babywearing expert to understand essential features and safety considerations to keep top of mind as you shop. We also followed the safety recommendations of the CPSC and ASTM International and looked for seals of approval from the IHDI.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

How to Use a Ring Sling Baby Carrier

Worried you won’t be able to master wearing a baby sling comfortably? While a learning curve is to be expected with ring sling baby carriers, they can be less tricky than wraps, since they come with rings that make wrapping and securing a cinch. Simply thread the fabric through the ring and sling it over your shoulder. Sparrow advises parents to ensure “the fabric is properly positioned on the caregiver’s body before putting the baby in the carrier” for the most successful results. “Building in stopping points for small adjustments can also help the process flow smoothly,” she adds. Once your child is inside (always hold them with one hand until the process is complete), the shape lets you spread, tighten and otherwise adjust the fabric until you feel confident it’s sturdy and won’t bother you or baby.

Sparrow acknowledges that “like any carrier, the ring sling takes consistent practice to use easily”—so don’t get discouraged if you don’t master it on the first try. The best way to figure out how to wear a ring sling is by reading the instructions that come with yours; the maker of your specific ring sling baby carrier is the ultimate authority on how to use it and will provide important safety tips. While those guidelines are your source of truth, you can also consult visual guides, like step-by-step photos and educational videos for extra help. (Many sellers offer those on their websites, product pages and social media channels.) Then practice, practice, practice—it might be helpful to try it out in front of a mirror too. Here are a few extra pointers to get you started:

• Make sure the “seat” you make for baby is big enough (many sellers say that a ‘deep seat’ is the key) to fit them and keep them safely enclosed—if it’s too small, they could tumble out.

• On the flip side, the baby sling shouldn’t be too tight. It should feel snug but not enough to squeeze and cause discomfort, and your child’s head should always stay out.

• Pay attention to the way baby is positioned. Their head should never be angled down toward their chest, which can restrict their ability to breathe. You’ll also need to keep an eye on their nose and mouth, so that they’re not covered or obscured.

• You can wear your ring sling in a couple of different ways: either in front of you or on your hip for extra weight support.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Best Baby Carriers for Every Kind of Parent

The Best Baby Wrap Carriers to Keep Baby Close

The 5 Best Infant Car Seats