I tried a ring sling for the first time yesterday at my breastfeeding group and decided I MUST have one. Little did I know how many options there are! I'm trying to decide between a 100% linen sling or a wrap conversion sling. I currently have a 4 week old and am hoping to use it from now until he's a toddler. I live in Chicago, so it gets very warm in the summer and very cold in the winter. I guess I'm looking for something versatile, durable and long lasting. Which fabric do you prefer and why?
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I never had a wrap conversion sling, so I can’t compare but I had a linen ring sling and several cotton ones and loved the linen one. It also held up well during all seasons of wear, wasn’t too warm in the summer for me and I used it with LO until she was 2.
You might not end up using a ring sling until your LO is a toddler though – many people have back or shoulders issues using them with babies that weigh more, like toddlers. Mine was comfortable enough, but I switched to using a tula when LO was a toddler and holy crap - - so much more comfortable than the ring sling. And my LO is a peanut too!
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So I've had two slings. The first was single layer linen. The second is a wrap conversion from Tula which is a cotton/tencel blend. The linen sling was very breathable and I'd say VERY comfortable up until about 15-16 pounds. At that point it got a bit dig-y in my shoulder and also a bit on the bottom rail under LO's legs. The wrap conversion sling felt very thick and stiff out of the box but after washing it just one time it immediately softened up and it is soooo soft and floppy now. LO is now 22 lb (19 mo) and I find it very comfortable to wear her still. This morning I wore her for about 2 hours shopping around target and the grocery store and wasn't uncomfortable at all. I did have this sling over the summer and never remember being too hot, but I don't tend to wear outside all that terribly much (because she was walking this summer, if we were outside she was running around). I'm sure it is not as breathable or cool as linen, but linen will not get you into toddlerhood. On the balance if you only want one sling, I'd go with a wrap conversion. Maybe research which wraps are supposed to be pretty cool for the summer? I feel like the tula one would be pretty good but I haven't compared to others so there may be better.
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@Mae: @yoursilverlining: thanks for responding! I found this one, which is a linen blend. Do you think that's a good choice if i only want one wrap? I also have an ergo 360, so I can use that as well, especially when he's bigger. https://www.etsy.com/listing/244013102/linen-blend-wrap-conversion-ring-sling
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I have a linen single layer (Sakura Bloom classic) and loooove it. I could never really use my Ergo because it left me and DDs all sweaty messes. I rarely had an issue sweating with the ring sling on (only if it was insanely hot out or something!). It washes easily - as in, wipe clean, and never smells. I have washed maybe 4x in the entire time I've had it. IDK if that's weird but that's what the shop owner told me to do lol!
either way, love love it. It's so soft and floppy.
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Not an expert at ring slings but I heard the linen blends take longer to break in. I went with a WC because I heard those can be more supportive. I bought my WCRS from LittlePeepersKeepers. I'm a fan of wovens that can be broken in with a first wash.
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