Sling Along Baby Slings

SLING ALONG BABY SLINGS

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Hello and welcome to my baby wearing/baby sling blog! I can’t wait to introduce you to the wonderful world of baby wearing! Here you will find baby wearing instructions with pictures, sling care, fabric in stock, and sling order information. Be sure to check out all the links under the blog archive. Soon I will have an instructional video on the site. If you are interested in ordering a sling please e-mail me at: slingalongbabyslings@gmail.com , or give me a call: (801) 648-7146.

I hope you will find this site to be helpful. However, if you are having any trouble, please e-mail or call me at the address or phone number above. Thanks so much and happy baby wearing!!

Ring Slings: I prefer ring slings over pouch slings because they are 100% adjustable. The same sling can fit mom, dad, grandma, aunt, etc.! You can fit a newborn up to toddler (35 lbs) in the same sling. The tightness can be adjusted to fit your comfort level and the various carrying positions. I've made and used pouch slings, but they just don't compare to ring slings.

Fabric Choices

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I want your baby to be safe. That's why all Sling Along Baby Slings are made specifically from bottom weight fabric. Bottom weight fabric is strong enough and durable enough to be worn on the bottom half of your body. Fabric like suiting, twill, linen, and denim. Your sling will get a lot of wear and these fabrics are made to handle it.

Sling Orders: All slings are $35 and shipping is available for an additional $6. To order a sling just pick from the fabric choices below and e-mail me at slingalongbabyslings@gmail.com or call (801) 648-7146 to place your order. If you prefer, you may come to my home to pick out the fabric. I sometimes have to feel the fabric to see if I like it. I will need your name, phone number and/or e-mail, and the name of the fabric you chose. When the sling is completed I will e-mail and/or call so that you can come pick up your sling.

Fabric Choices: Please note that actual color may differ slightly from the picture shown.

Light charcoal checks: light weight and flowy (not available at this time)

Dark charcoal checks: (NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME) Light and flowy

Light Denim: super light weight and airy

Ivory floral: very elegant home decor fabric

Grey blue textured stripe: drapes well (color is most like the close up photo)

Dark Denim: fun and casual, not thick denim (color is most like the top photo)

Charcoal tan and silver checks: flowy and drapes beautifully

Black Linen: classic, light and airy

Blue and brown small checks: spunky and flowy

Dark blue with light stripe: very light weight and flowy * *Not all fabrics are always in stock. Please e-mail or call to check for availability.

Sling Orders and Pricing

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All slings are $ 35
To order a sling all you have to do is call or e-mail me your fabric choice. If you would prefer, you may come to home to choose your fabric. I personally have to touch the fabric to see if I like it.
When your sling is completed I will e-mail you and/or call you so that you can come pick it up.
If you are purchasing for a friend or relative out of the area I can ship the sling for an additional $ 6.
Please don't hesitate to call 648-7146 or e-mail slingalongbabyslings@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Threading Your Sling

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Lay your sling out with the underside facing up towards the ceiling.
Underside

Topside

Make sure it is not twisted.
Bunch up the tail end (the end opposite of the rings) of the fabric like an accordion.

Thread the bunched up fabric through both rings and pull it through about 2 to 3 feet entering on the inside of the sling.

Separate the two rings and pull the fabric up over the top ring and down through the bottom ring. (Just like you would with a belt that does not have a buckle.)

Using your fingers spread the fabric out evenly through the rings and you’re done!

Wearing Instructions

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Always check seams and fabric before each use. Make sure there are no tears or lose seams.
Practice wearing/putting your baby in your sling over a soft surface like a bed or couch until you get the hang of it.
It will take several days to get really comfortable with your sling. That’s okay! Keep trying and you and your baby will be so happy that you did!
Be sure to check out the tips post. There are more pictures and troubleshooting tips.
Please e-mail me at slingalongbabyslings@gmail.com if you have any trouble. I want you to be completely happy and satisfied with your sling.

Putting On Your Sling

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Getting use to the sling takes a little bit of time. You and your baby have to get used to it. Just keep trying!

Decide which shoulder you would like the rings to be on.
Slide the threaded sling, tail facing away from you, over your head and the arm opposite of where the rings will be. (Ex. If you want your rings on your right shoulder, your head and left arm will go in.)
Make sure your sling is not twisted or bunched up. It will not be comfortable if it is.
Make sure the fabric is spread out across your back.
Once your baby is in and you’ve tightened your sling, the rings should be at your collar bone or slightly below if that is more comfortable. I like mine slightly below. This is true for all the carries.
When you are practicing make sure your baby is fed, awake, and happy.

The Cradle Carry

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Great for newborns! Baby lies inside the pouch of the sling protected from germs and outside elements. My baby is 7 months old so it's a little hard to show, but I hope you get the idea!

Decide which shoulder you would like the rings on and put your sling on using the directions above.
Tighten your sling so that there is about 4-6 in. between you and the pouch of the sling if you push the top side fabric away from you. This gives you enough space to slide baby in.
Make sure to pull the inside fabric, (the fabric between you and the baby) up to about your lower breast area making a pocket or pouch for your baby.

Be sure the bottom of the sling is tight by pulling that side of the tail.
Hold your baby high up on your shoulder opposite of the rings, open up the pouch with one hand, and moving feet first diagonally across your chest, gently slide the baby into the pouch of the sling in a laying or semi-laying position.
Tighten to where you feel comfortable and baby is secure. I tighten my sling by supporting the weight of my baby with the hand opposite of the rings and tighten the tail with the hand that has the rings on it. Supporting your baby’s weight with the hand opposite of the rings while you tighten your tail will make it easier to adjust.
If you need the bottom tighter find the bottom edge or rail and pull that part of the tail. If you need the top rail tighter find the top edge and pull that part of the tail. Remember to support your baby’s weight while you do this.
Make sure the rings are at your collar bone, like where you would wear a corsage or slightly below.
If the rings are too low or too high and is uncomfortable, take off the sling and start again, but this time place the rings slightly higher on your shoulder to that after you have baby in and you’ve tightened the sling, the rings hit you at your collar bone or slightly below.
Baby can lay either direction with the head on the ring side or the head opposite of the rings. If your baby is neborn you will want to make sure your baby's head is inside the pouch.
You can breastfeed in this position using the tail if you need to cover for discreet nursing in public.
Tighten to what is comfortable.
The tail can hang or you can tuck the tail anywhere you like.

Tummy To Tummy/Snuggle Carry

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Great for all ages. Baby sits in an upright position belly to belly with legs under her bum inside pouch. For older babies their legs can hang out of the bottom of the sling

Decide which shoulder you would like the rings on and put your sling on using the directions above.
Tighten your sling so that there is about 4-6 in. between you and the pouch of the sling if you push the top side fabric away from you. This gives you enough space to slide baby in.
Now you have a choice. You can slide baby in from the top or the bottom of the sling.
If you want to slide baby in from the top you place your baby high up on your shoulder opposite of the rings, curl her feet up under her like a frog or leave her legs straight, and slide her into the sling.
If you do not want your baby in a froggy position, pull her legs through. Just make sure that you have the bottom edge of the sling pulled down around her bottom and up to the back of her knee.
The sling can be pulled over baby’s head, or just to the neck. Older babies can have their arms tucked in or out.

To put baby in sling from the bottom, sit down and hold your baby facing you.
Grab the entire pouch of the sling and pull it over your baby’s head and down under her bottom all the way to the back of her knee.

Tighten to where you feel comfortable and baby is secure. I tighten my sling by supporting the weight of my baby with the hand opposite of the rings and tighten the tail with the hand that has the rings on it. Supporting your baby’s weight with the hand opposite of the rings while you tighten your tail will make it easier to adjust.

If you need the bottom tighter find the bottom edge or rail and pull that part of the tail. If you need the top rail tighter find the top edge and pull that part of the tail. Remember to support your baby’s weight while you do this.
Make sure the rings are at your collar bone, like where you would wear a corsage or slightly below.
If after you’ve tightened your sling the rings are too low or too high, and they feel uncomfortable, take off the sling and start again, but this time place the rings slightly higher on your shoulder so that after you have baby in and you’ve tightened the sling, the rings should hit you at your collar bone or slightly below.
Tighten to what is comfortable.
Leave the tail hanging or tuck anywhere you like.

The Hip Carry

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Also great for older babies and toddlers. I’ve even held my 5 year old in the sling this way! This is just like the tummy to tummy hold, but instead of your baby being on your front he is on your hip.

Start with the rings slightly higher than your collar bone.
Follow the instructions for the tummy to tummy hold.
You can put your baby in the sling feet first.

Or you can put your baby in the sling head first.

Either way, please make sure to pull the fabric around your baby's bottom and then up to the back of his knees.

Rotate your baby/toddler to your hip.
The sling can be pulled up to his armpits or up over his shoulders.

Arms can be in or out.
Leave tail hanging or tuck it in anywhere you like.

The Back Carry

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Perfect for older babies and toddlers. I use this when we’re hiking, or if I’m doing something I don’t want my baby/toddler to touch.

Start with the rings on the top of your shoulder blade.

Follow the instructions for the hip carry.

Make sure the sling is pulled up to his shoulders.
Rotate him around to your back. I put my arm in front of my baby and pull the sling down across my body while doing a small bounce. You can also grab your baby’s leg with the arm that the rings are on and pull him around while you bounce.
This is not a good hold for an upset baby/toddler. They tend to arch their back.
Please make sure you’ve tightened your baby very close so that she is nice and secure.
Also make sure the sling comes all the way up to the back of his knees.

Tighten as seems comfortable.

Leave the tail hanging or you can tuck the tail or where you like.

How to take your baby out of the sling

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To take your baby out of the sling support your baby's weight by placing your hand on his bottom and lifting up, and while you are doing this lift up and out on the bottom ring.

Don't loosen it so much that your baby will fall out, just enough to be able to pull your baby up and out of the sling.

You may need to place your baby on your shoulder and pull the fabric down from his bottom.

Tips

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If your baby feels like she is leaning way out, find the top rail in order to pull her closer.

Remember that pulling on the hemmed ege will tighten the hemmed edge, and pulling the salvage edge will tighten the salvage edge. If you do not have a salvage edge on your sling match the color of the thread on the hem.

I find it easier to adjust/tighten the sling by placing my hand under my baby's bottom to support her weight while I pull on the top or bottom rail.

If your baby feels like she is slipping out of the bottom or is sagging way down, find the bottom edge and tighten it to draw her up and in.

Remember to support her weight while you tighten the sling and make sure the fabric goes all the way to the back of your baby's knees.

Don't expect to be a master baby wearer the first couple of times you try wearing your baby. It will take a little time and practice before you both get the hang of it. If your baby does not like it the first few times, don't give up. Keep trying and you'll be glad that you did!

The Kangaroo Carry

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Wonderful for the curious baby who likes to look around. Good for babies who can hold their head up well. At first try sitting down when you put your baby in the sling this way. It will make it a little easier.

Start with the rings slightly higher than your collar bone.
Pull the inside fabric (the side closest to you) up above your stomach to make a pouch.

Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you.
Bring her up so that her bottom is about even with your lower chest. Cross your baby’s feet so that she is sitting “Indian style”, and hold her with your hand opposite of the rings.

With your other hand open up the pouch and slide your baby down into the pouch. Sometimes it helps to hold up the edge and bounce slightly to settle her into the sling.

Please make sure she is sitting in the pouch and that the inside fabric is up to your lower chest.
Tighten both rails until baby feels secure and comfortable.

You can let the tail hang or tuck the tail where you like.

The Tail

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A rolled or bunched up tail can be used for a pillow for your baby’s head or as a cushion if your baby’s head is resting on the rings.

The tail can be used for discreet nursing in the cradle hold.
The tail can be used as a blanket in cold or windy conditions.
If you do not want the tail to hang you can tuck the tail under your baby's leg, or inside the pouch.

You can also wrap the tail around your rings. I like to wrap my tail twice around the rings. I wrap from the inside moving out.

Care of your sling

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Slings have been pre-washed and dried.
Wash in cold water and dry on low.
The rings will slightly clank in your dryer, but don't worry they will not damage your dryer. The aluminum rings are very light weight.
If you prefer, your sling can hang dry.
Remember to check for tears or lose seams every time you put your sling on.
Sling Along Baby Slings will not be held liable in the event of accident or injury.

Why a baby sling?

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· A sling is very versatile. You can wear your baby in a minimum of 5 different ways: tummy to tummy, hip carry, back carry, cradle carry, and kangaroo carry. · You can carry small babies, preemie’s to 35 lb. · Compact and easy to transport in your diaper bag. · Quick and easy to put on. (No clips or straps to worry about.) · A sling positions your baby naturally, the way you would hold him. · A sling distributes baby’s weight properly and does not compress baby’s spine by hanging by the crotch. · Toys and binky’s can easily clip to the rings.