STBS Ring slings: the cradlehold

Most newborns seem a bit shell-shocked by all the stimuli bombarding them in the new world outside Mom's body. Because a sling simulates the warmth and shelter of the womb, babywearing is a very sensible and effective way to ease a baby's transition from womb to world. Because a sling also makes it easier to hold a baby for longer period of time, babywearing is a handy way to ease a parent's transition from a relatively simple world before the baby to a world that is nothing but the baby.
If you tuck a newborn into a sling and take a short stroll, the baby will be soothed by the rhythm of your walk, hear your heartbeat, and feel safely enclosed in the warm, dark pocket. If the baby has an upset tummy or is restless, take a longer walk: it's a great way to tame frayed parental nerves, most babies won't be able to resist the urge to sleep, and the change of environment often is refreshing for both.
Another big plus is that a sling provides a good line of defence against grabby people (curious toddlers, strangers at a store, over-zealous relatives at busy holidays, the well-intentioned neighbor with a head cold, etc.) when you and the baby need a break. Who would want to bother a sleeping or peaceful little baby nestled in a sling?

Same sling and baby as to the left, but this time the sling is under less tension and the baby is nestled deeper in the sling. Some babies greatly prefer this arrangement over the one on the left (my guess is that being deeper in the sling and more scrunched up is a darker, warmer environment more like being in-utero). Note that with this position the baby's spine is molded to a more gentle curve than in the position to the left but that the baby's chin is tucked towards her chest; when you use this version of the cradlehold, always pay close attention to how well your baby is breathing.

Some babies never do care much for the coziness of the cradlehold and quickly move to the front carry positions; the cross-cradlehold is a good option for babies who do not like to be "cramped" because the baby is a bit more stretched out and upright. However, super-cuddly babies can hang out in the cradlehold position for many months and be happy as clams.

A newborn in a ring sling under tight tension. This position is preferred by many babywearers because it places the baby's head high up for optimal face-gazing and the baby's airways are un-restricted; the position closely mimics how the baby would be held in her mother's arms. Note that the sling's tail is wrapped around the rings to pad them a bit.

1. Hold your infant, cradled in your arm, parallel to the body of the sling. The baby's head will be slightly lower than the rings.

2. Open the pocket of the sling and slide the infant into the pocket, feet first. The infant will be diagonal along your torso.

3. Adjust the pocket. The inner rail should be snug against your torso. The outer rail should be high enough to reach, at the least, the infant's shoulders.

4. Gently pull the outer rail around the infant's head to help support the infant's neck.

5. Check the baby's positioning: the baby should not be sunk down in the sling, the baby's head & neck must be supported by the fabric, and the baby's chin must not be pressed firmly against his/her body.

6. A properly adjusted and positioned cradle hold.

Basic Rules:
*The sling must cup the baby's butt and support as much of the baby's body as possible.
*The baby's head must be higher than the baby's butt and the baby must be able to breathe well.
*The sling must be under tension.
*The babywearer must feel like the sling makes the baby feel lighter to hold or carry and that the sling is comfortable.

Click on images for more detail; click again for a slideshow.

Ring Slings: Using the Cradlehold for newborns & infants.

If the infant is quite small & seems lost in the sling, place a folded receiving blanket or towel under the baby's body for extra support & to fill out the space in the sling. The baby should be at a diagonal with the floor (as compared to resting flat in the sling, parallel to the floor.) The baby should breathe clearly and smoothly, with no sign of obstruction to the airways; you want to have at least a finger's width of wiggle space between the baby's chin and chest.

1. Start with your infant in the "burp" position and open the pocket of the sling.

2. Slide baby, legs first, into the pocket. The baby's legs will be folded up a bit, or "froggied," in the pocket of the sling.

3. Pull the outer rail of the sling to cup the baby's head.

4. If the infant is quite small, bring the tail of the sling upwards, behind and over the rings, and tuck it into the body of the sling. This will pad the sling a bit and help keep the baby in place.

5. If needs be, snug the outer rail of the sling to bring it under better tension. Gently rotate the infant's body in the sling so that the infant is diagonal to your torso.

7. A well-positioned and adjusted modified cradle hold.

The classic cradlehold.

The modified cradlehold or cross-cradlehold.