Ring Slings and Toddlers

I still love ring slings for my toddler.  They are perfect for quick ups and downs around the house.  I can put my son in a ring sling in seconds.  My son is too busy to want a cuddle for long (unless he is tired or sick and then I bring out my mei tai).  Rings slings are great if my toddler falls asleep in the car.  It is much easier to pop him in a ring sling than to wrestle a sleepy, floppy toddler into a two shoulder carrier.  It is perfect for visiting or unfamiliar places as my toddler can get comfortable for a little while in his new surroundings close to me, before hoping down to play and tear about as he usually does.  

Ring slings are perfect in any situation where my toddler needs a nap but I'll also be sitting down for a while (such as going to the cinema).  Once my toddler is asleep I can loosen the ring sling until he is supported in my arms and lap and I am very comfortable  When it's time to leave I just tighten up my sling and go without disturbing my sleepy baby at all.  Timing visits to the movies at nap time is great! My toddler would never sit through a whole movie otherwise! When my son was around 18months old I had an hour long speech therapy lesson to go to with my four year old.  My toddler slept through almost the whole session cuddled in my ring sling, waking towards the end and after a quick feed which left him bright and happy and ready for a short play until it was time to leave again - in the ring sling of course - ideal for crossing a very busy road back to the car.

My toddler is almost two and is still a little small to walk beside me without darting off but in the future it will be great to bring with me to rest his legs if he gets tired walking with his older siblings to school.  And in the meantime it keeps him safe on the short walk to pick up big sister from Kinder.

Ring slings also my a handy spot to lie my toddler down for a nappy change and makes a great emergency blanket.

I love wrap conversions for toddlers (although double silk or linen is great too).  My favourite toddler sling in Vatanai Perito (pictured below) because it's thick, cushy and molds to my shoulder so well. Plus it's pretty! I wore my toddler for an hour recently and it felt great.  I love my Didymos burgundy Pfau too just as much as it is also lovely and cushy.  An ideal wrap for an older baby or toddler is one in which you would comfortable use is a single layer carry i.e. nothing too thin (but thin and dense can be good.  I love my Ellevill Zara ring sling almost as much).