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Best Baby Slings

Updated February 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Nalakai Ring Sling Baby Carrier
Nalakai
Ring Sling Baby Carrier
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Most Eco-friendly
Bottom Line

A women-owned business is behind this soft, luxurious option that will help you avoid overheating, according to our baby expert.

Pros

Can be worn different ways for comfort, while allowing you to bond with your baby. Material is made from linen and bamboo and regulates your little one’s temperature to avoid overheating. Company gives 5% of proceeds to those in need. Many colors to chose from. Suitable for any wardrobe.

Cons

Expensive, and some consumers said that the fabric can slip through the ring.

Best Bang for the Buck
Momcozy Baby Wrap Carrier Sling
Momcozy
Baby Wrap Carrier Sling
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Great price for a product that distributes your child's weight evenly in every position.

Pros

Made from breathable fabric and can adjust up to size XXL with the double ring. Easy on/off with X design for a snug and secure fit. Aligns your child’s hips in the M formation for proper development. Stay hands-free while keeping your baby close to you. Great for newborns and babies up to 50 lbs.

Cons

May not fit curvy women.

Mebien Baby Carrier Wrap Ring Sling
Mebien
Baby Carrier Wrap Ring Sling
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Family-Owned
Bottom Line

Lightweight model with excellent portability that you can take on the go.

Pros

This baby sling is a great option for carrying out light household chores, as it increases your oxytocin level because you have constant contact with your infant. Crafted from 100% cotton muslin from Turkey, and the manufacturer doesn’t add any fabric softeners.

Cons

Not dryer-friendly, and only for kangaroo or side carrying.

Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling Baby Carrier
Hip Baby Wrap
Ring Sling Baby Carrier
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Handmade, quality product at a reasonable price, and the positioning helps with neck strain.

Pros

Ergonomic design reduces shoulder, neck, and back strain and is comfortable for you and your baby. Machine-washable and dryable. Available in various patterns, including stripes, honeycomb, and solid colors. Leftover material can also be used as a nursing cover.

Cons

Some customers did not find it comfortable.

Moby Ring Sling
Moby
Ring Sling
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Award-Winning
Bottom Line

Our baby expert notes that this product has been made by a trusted brand for over 18 years.

Pros

This manufacturer adheres to strict guidelines in order to be CPSIA-compliant. One of the longest slings available at 85 inches. One size fits all. Comfortably finish tasks independently while your baby is secured next to you.

Cons

Some users said that the material is scratchy.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
189
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best baby slings

Whether for convenience, to promote bonding, or to have more baby snuggles, a baby sling allows you to carry your baby hands-free. A sling is ideal for keeping your baby close to you while you fix yourself a snack, run around after an older child, or shop in a tightly packed store.

Just a quick internet search will pull up thousands of makes and models, so how do you find the best baby sling to meet your requirements?

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Baby slings let you get on with day-to-day tasks (like eating with both hands!) without the need to put your baby down. This is great news for parents of fussy infants.

Types of baby slings

Wrap sling

Wrap slings are essentially long strips of soft, slightly stretch fabric that can be wrapped around your torso in a number of different ways to create a sling for your baby. Although they're highly versatile and often inexpensive, they can be hard to put on at first, which puts some parents off.

Ring sling

Like wrap slings, ring slings consist of a long, wide strip of material. However, ring slings have two metal rings that you use to secure the sling in a loop shape. You wear a ring sling over one shoulder, and you can either put your baby in an upright position or a reclined position for nursing. Ring slings are much simpler than wrap slings, but they are less versatile, too.

Pouch sling

Although not as widely available as other types of slings, pouch slings have a dedicated following. They're extremely simple to use: they just go over one shoulder, and there's already a folding pouch to support your baby. Pouch slings are not the most versatile option, and they aren't one-size-fits-all like other types are, so you'd need to size up as your baby grows.

Soft-structured sling

Soft-structured slings look much like wrap slings when you're wearing one, but they have a rectangular part at the front to support your baby's back and bottom and long strips of fabric coming from each corner. You simply position the rectangular part, tie the fabric strips around your neck and waist, and you're ready to go.

Expert tip
Always ensure that babies hips are in the M position and not straight to avoid hip dislocation.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Considerations for selecting a baby sling

How old is your baby?

Check that your chosen sling is suitable for the age of your child. You can use some slings from birth right through to toddlerhood. Others have shorter shelf lives. Some slings are suitable for newborns, but only from a certain weight upward — and so might be unsuitable for the tiniest of babies. Even if a manufacturer declares a baby sling suitable for newborns, you must double-check that the sling allows your baby to be carried with their legs in the M-position. Also known as the frog position or spread-squat position, this is when your baby's thighs are spread around your torso with their hips bent and their knees a little higher than their bottom, with the whole of their thighs supported by material. If your sling doesn't allow for the M position, it could be highly detrimental to the child’s hip health and even cause hip dysplasia.

How easy is it to use?

You might like the idea of a wrap sling, but when you're trying to do fabric origami with an eight-foot length of cotton while soothing a screaming baby, you may change your mind. We recommend choosing a sling that you're confident with. If you pick one that's a bit more complex to put on, remember that practice makes perfect. It's a wise idea to practice before the baby arrives or, if the child has already been born, practice when you don't need to be anywhere in a hurry.

Is it adjustable?

Some baby slings can easily be adjusted to suit parents of all shapes and sizes. This is a huge bonus when both parents intend to use the same sling. Highly adjustable models also tend to be better at accommodating children of different sizes, which is great if you plan to use a sling well into your child's toddlerhood.

Does the baby ride in front or in back?

The majority of baby slings are designed to be used with your baby in front of you, either facing inward or outward. However, you can also use some slings for back carrying, so your baby is positioned behind you, looking forward with their front to your back. Although front carrying is more popular, especially for young babies, if you want to have the choice to carry your little one on your back, check that it's possible with your chosen sling.

Expert tip
Washable fabrics are much easier to manage because they will get soiled.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Tips

  • Check what material your chosen baby sling is made of. Cotton or a cotton/spandex blend is a common choice. You can also find slings made of bamboo and other sustainable materials.

  • Decide whether you want your baby to be forward-facing or rear-facing. Do you want to face your baby inward toward out? Outward facing the world? Or do you want the option to do both?

  • Pick a baby sling that's easy to keep clean. Babies aren't shy about bodily fluids! Ideally, your chosen sling should be machine washable and dryer-friendly.

  • Consider the folded size of your baby sling. If you want the option to switch to a sling on the go, it should fold down small enough to toss in a diaper bag and head out.
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Baby slings are excellent for taking your child where strollers can't go.

FAQ

Q. What is the TICKS rule?

A. The TICKS rule is essentially a checklist for safe use of a baby sling or other baby carrier. This is what TICKS stands for:

  • Tight: A sling should hug your baby close to you. Your baby's body shouldn't be slumping due to loose material.

  • In view at all times: You should be able to see your baby's face when glancing down. It should be tilted up toward you, and there shouldn't be any material closed in around it.

  • Close enough to kiss: Position your baby's head as close to your chin as is comfortable. You should be close enough to kiss your baby's forehead when you tip your head down.

  • Keep chin off chest: Your baby's head shouldn't be tucked in with their chin on their chest, as this could impede breathing.

  • Supported back: A sling should support your baby's back so it's in a natural position — not slumped down, which could partially close their airway.

Expert tip
Make sure your baby fits in the weight recommendations for safety.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Q. Can I nurse my baby in a sling?

A. Yes, it's possible to nurse your baby in the majority of slings, although some mothers find it too awkward to manage. If you do nurse your baby in a sling, you must always return the child to a regular upright position once feeding is done.

Q. How long can my baby stay in a sling?

A. As long as your baby is comfortable and in the correct ergonomic position, there's really no limit on sling time. If course, you'll need to remove the child every few hours for feeds (unless you nurse in the sling) and diaper changes, and the baby should sleep in a crib at night. That said, you shouldn't keep your baby in a sling all day every day, as babies need tummy time and other forms of stimulation.