Water Ring Sling

If you are a member of our Facebook Group, check out this poll and its comments to see members personal experiences and opinions of water ring slings!

Summary of Steps

1. Pick a safe mesh fabric
2. Buy the right length
3. Cut to width
4. Buy small babywearing rings
5. Sew the shoulder (no hems necessary)
6. Learn to use it

Pick Your Mesh

For more information, click here.

Fabric for a water ring sling SHOULD:

• Be an athletic mesh or football mesh material, like a basketball jersey.
• Have a regular pattern of small holes - big enough to see through but not so big as to look like a butterfly net.
• Have a little bit of stretch from selvedge to selvedge (widthwise)
• Be 100% polyester or nylon

• Contain any rayon, spandex, linen, cotton, hemp, flax, wool or silk
• Have any stretch from end to end (lengthwise)
• Have tiny, dimple-like holes too small to see through
• Have large, fishnet like holes
• Be labled "utility mesh" or "athletic knit" or "wicking mesh"

Buy the Right Length

In general, 3 yards is plenty of fabric to make even an extra long sling with a deep, floating gathered shoulder. The majority of wearers are comfortable with a medium sling, which can be made with just over 2 yards. The easiest option is to buy 3 yards, sew in the shoulder, and then try it on and cut the tail to the desired length. This also gives you the option of chopping the shoulder off and starting over if you were to mess up.

For more information: Click Here

Keep in mind that athletic mesh will not shrink, so you do not need to account for shrinkage when buying it.

Cut to Width

Standard width for a ring sling is between 26"-32"

If the mesh you bought is 60" wide, the easiest option is to simply cut it down the middle. Use the holes in the mesh as a guideline for cutting a straight line.

At this point, if you want, you may be able to use the mesh without rings as a "shorty wrap," depending on how much fabric you bought and what your base size is. If you are between a base 5-8 and bought 3 yards of fabric, you likely have enough to use it for a traditional sling carry.

If you want to use rings, keep in mind that mesh is too slippery for a no-sew ring sling, so you will need to sew your rings in.

Buy Your Rings

For more information on buying safe rings and country-specific sources, click here.

For athletic mesh, you will want a set of small (2" or so) sling rings. Both aluminum and nylon rings are safe and simply a matter of preference. Be sure to use weight-tested rings designed for babywearing from a reputable source.

Sew the Shoulder

While you can technically do any shoulder style for a water sling, many people prefer a pleated shoulder for this application since, after the sling is wet, it can be very difficult (nearly impossible) to adjust anything, so having a more "molded" shoulder that won't bunch up can be preferable.

Remember to use polyester thread when sewing the shoulder. While polyester is always recommended for all ring slings due to its strength, it is particularly important when sewing a water sling. Do not use cotton thread that could absorb water or be damaged by chlorine.

Sleeping Baby Productions' video on sewing a pleated water ring sling: Click Here

Learn to Use It

Along with following the basic TICKS rules for safe babywearing like you would with a regular ring sling, keep some extra safety precautions in mind when wearing in or near water.

• Baby should always be on your front or hip in/near water.
• Make sure to stay aware of baby's airway and the water level - inhaling splashes of water can be just as dangerous to an infant as being submerged!
• Make sure the sling is comfortably and safely tightened and adjusted before it gets wet - a wet sling is not adjustable.
• Water ring slings may slip or be diggy and uncomfortable when dry. If you are going to use it outside of the water, use caution.

• "How to Thread a Ring Sling" by WrappingRachel
• "(basics) Newborn ringsling 'classic'" by WrapYouInLove
• "How to use a Ring Sling with a Newborn" by WrappingRachel
• "Babywearing (basics) : Ringsling (classic)" by WrapYouInLove (Same technique as above but with an older child)
• "How to do a hip carry in a ring sling with an older baby" by WrappingRachel
• "Ring Sling Troubleshooting: Getting a Great Seat" by WrappingRachel
• "Ring Sling Troubleshooting: Keeping the rings at corsage level" by WrappingRachel

-- Alyssa Leonard - 2016-07-16

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