Keeping You and Baby Comfy
Rest assured that, with practice, wearing your baby will become second nature to you. Most things that are truly worth it take a practice, so hang in there until the art of baby wearing comes naturally!
If you are right handed, you may find what feels best to you is to wear your baby sling on your right shoulder. To do this, start with your hands out in front of you, with your sling draped on your left hand. The shoulder pad should rest on your left hand, with the tail hanging between your two hands. Next, slide the ring sling up your left arm and over your head, and then rest the shoulder pad on your right shoulder. If you are left handed, you will follow the same instructions on the opposite sides. Left or right the hammock where your baby will be cradled goes across your chest like a banner. The rings should rest just between your breast and shoulder. This is called the neutral position.
#1 tip for staying comfy: make sure the rings always end up/stay between your breast and shoulder, no matter which position you wear your baby in.
#2 tip for staying comfy: shoulder pad position. Make sure the shoulder pad is on your shoulder cap (so that it looks to be diagonal), rather than sitting on top of your shoulder or between your shoulder and neck.
This is important, allowing the fabric of the ring sling to drape properly across your back (which is actually the third key for comfort). When wearing an infant, you may find that you’re comfortable even with the shoulder pad on top, but as your baby grows, it will certainly make a difference to slide the shoulder pad to the cap of your shoulder. Draped properly, your baby’s weight will be distributed across your body for long-term comfort of wearing. If your rails are criss-crossed anywhere, then the fabric cannot be spread out properly for weight distribution. The best position for your rails to be in on your back is parallel to each other, and as far away from each other as possible.
<<<<<< If you find yourself experiencing some discomfort, try this. Reach behind your back, the shoulder pad area, and pull the Sling fabric down some. Of course, this can’t be done if your shoulder pad is on top of your shoulder, rather than on your shoulder cap. I find that when I tug down on the fabric to make sure my baby’s weight is distributed properly - the discomfort goes away!
