All babies love to be cradled in the arms of their parents, but unless you have arms of steel, carrying your little one around all day long is a needlessly tough job. That’s where needing to find the best baby slings for breastfeeding comes in handy.
A sling is simply a piece of fabric that wraps across one shoulder and your torso. Slings, which make a pouch for the little one to sit in, are typically easy to use and are a favorite for many parents. They also work well in hot weather as they’re generally lightweight.
Keep in mind, though, that slings aren’t best worn for long periods of time, as they don’t evenly distribute the baby’s weight on you in the same way that a woven wrap or structured carrier will. That being said, they are still a perfect way to carry your little one while still having both hands free.
There are countless choices in the market when it comes to choosing the best baby ring sling for you. They have different sizes, shapes, styles, and features, which may well overwhelm you as a buyer.
So, instead of going out into this vast world of different brands and products, trying to find the best baby carriers yourself, we did the dirty work for you. Not only are we about to tell you some useful tips to help you pick the best baby ring sling for you, but we also picked the 7 best baby ring slings available in the market, and now all you need to do is pick the best one for you!
Table of Contents
Things You Should Look For In A Baby Ring Sling
Not all ring slings are the same. They come in different shapes and sizes and with different features. But there are some basic things you want to look for if you want to find the best baby sling for you.
Comfort
We don’t just mean the comfort of your baby, but also yours. You want a sling seat that holds the baby’s legs in the healthy M position. But for you, you want a sling that gives your shoulder and back adequate support.
The baby’s torso and back should be supported. When they get older, adjust the carrier if you want, allowing their legs to hang freely.
Fit
Some of the best baby carriers are already one-size-fits-all, so you won’t have to worry much about the fit, and they’re especially great if you plan to share the sling with another person.
If you haven’t found one of them, at least make sure it can fit your own size without being uncomfortable. Don’t forget to be mindful of the fit of your baby, too.
Ease of Use
Baby wraps can get tiring because of the wrapping process, but slings should be easier to put on. Check the instructions that come with the sling before you make your purchase and make sure they’re easy to understand and apply.
Support
Because breastfeeding can be pretty tiring in itself, you want a sling that can do some lifting for you and not make breastfeeding hard on you.
Airflow
When looking for the best baby carriers, make sure you pick one that’s made of comfortable, breathable material (preferably 100% cotton) to allow for good air circulation and keep the baby cool in hot weather.
Avoid harsh fabrics like nylon or canvas that can irritate the sensitive skin of your baby. Spandex is also a great component for slings to be stretchy and adjustable.
You also want your baby to have a good air passage while eating, so make sure you’re able to see the top of the baby’s head in periodic checks during nursing to make sure nothing is blocking their nose.
Longevity
If you’re looking for a sling that your baby can grow with, make sure it can fit heavier weights with front-facing positions. But if you only want it during infancy, go for whichever one is most comfortable for your infant, which leads us to the next point.
Coverage
When in public, many (if not all) women prefer to have no one see them nurse. If you’re one of them, look for a sling with a long tail that works as a breastfeeding cover. You can still use a nursing cover, but it’s always better to find the coverage within the carrier itself.
Machine-Washable Material
Our little ones are messy by nature, they drool and spit-up often, so it’s important to get a sling that is machine washable, because it’ll get dirty pretty quickly.
Best Baby Ring Slings In The Market
Because the market is full of baby slings of different shapes and sizes, choosing one might be overwhelming sometimes. Instead of having to do the research yourself, we did it for you, and we picked out the 7 best baby ring slings available out there.
Nalakai Ring Sling Baby Carrier
This eco-friendly ring sling is made from soft bamboo and linen, making it gentle on the baby’s skin and reducing their chance of overheating. It has a long tail fabric that you can double as a nursing cover.
This ring sling is great for all sizes, from super petite to plus size. In terms of aesthetics, you may pick from a palette of ten lovely colors. However, some buyers report that the fabric wrinkles easily, so keep that in mind when buying it.
>>Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Moby Moby Ring Sling
Baby wraps can sometimes be frustrating, but the Moby Moby ring sling makes things much easier as it features a ring that you can secure your baby with easily. You can also adjust the sling to match your size and the size of your baby exactly.
Babies weighing 8-33 pounds can be carried in either the hip or cradled positions. This ring sling is made from breathable fabric that is machine washable. However, it’s not recommended for babies whose weights are below 8 pounds.
>>Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
MEBIEN Baby Ring Sling
Made of 100% Muslin, this sling went under no chemical processes; it was just washed with water and dried. It doesn’t contain any softening agents or any artificial fragrance. It’s also vegan-friendly and should get softer after each wash.
The sling wrap comes with double muslin fabric that makes it more breathable in summer and warmer in winter. The instructions for this sling are simple if watched in the video, and it accommodates babies between 8-35 pounds.
This baby sling, however, might not be super durable and wears out after washes. Plus, the material might not be the most comfortable for some people!
>>Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Vlokup Baby Sling Ring Sling
Babywearing doesn’t have to be old-fashioned. Vlokup offers a wide variety of creative and pretty patterns and colors to choose from. It’s made of breathable cotton fabric that cools the baby on hot days and keeps them warm in cooler weather.
Unlike some baby carriers that carry the baby in an outward position, increasing their risk of hip dysplasia, this baby sling maintains the baby’s hips in the ideal M position, providing appropriate support to the baby’s hips. This sling can accommodate babies from 10 pounds up to 40 pounds.
Keep in mind that it could be challenging to adjust this sling, and some customers couldn’t do it even after trying. And the cotton might not be super soft as well.
>>Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Kids N’ Such 4-in-1 Baby Wrap & Sling
You really get a lot with this baby carrier. It’s a postpartum belly belt, a baby sling, and a wrap at the same time. It makes it easy for your baby to access, so it’s ideal for on-demand nursing. Its soft, stretchy fabric can accommodate even the smallest infants. In fact, you’d probably be surprised that this baby carrier comes with a lifetime guarantee.
However, some petite moms have said that it has too much extra fabric. It also takes some practice to wrap it right, but you can always follow the instructions that are included with pictures to help you get it right.
>>Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
RosyBaby Lite-on-Shoulder Baby Sling
If you care about looking fashionable while wearing your baby out, this baby sling is perfect! It’s available in 14 different stylish patterns and colors. But style is obviously not everything, and this sling offers a lot more than that.
The fabric is soft and allows breathability, while the curved design creates a deep pocket, allowing for a more comfortable fit for your baby and a greater grip on their legs.
>>Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Vlokup Baby Ring Sling
This one-size-fits-all baby sling is 55% cotton, not the best when it comes to material, but still offers a reasonable breathability.
It’s about 78 inch long, so it’s great for plus size wearers, too. It carries babies between 10-40 pounds and features a long tail for private nursing.
>>Click here to read more reviews and check the latest price on Amazon
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot you should consider when choosing a baby ring sling: fit, support, comfort, longevity, material, ease of use, and airflow, to name a few.
It might seem like a lot of work, but when you pay attention to all these details, you end up picking the best ring sling for you and your baby. And if you’re confused, you can always refer to our top 7 baby ring sling picks we listed above!