which shoulder for ring sling?

hey_little_bird

i had read directions that say both to use the shoulder of your dominant hand, and your non-dominant hand.

when i first got my ring sling, my instinct was to put the rings over my right shoulder; though i am right-handed, i carry my purse on my right shoulder, so it felt more natural.
i tried it out on my left shoulder as well and it just felt weird.

(so far my little bun is still in the oven, so i have only practiced with a full 2 liter bottle)

can anyone give some input? will it be different once i have a real live baby in the sling, or should i just go with my original comfort?

(for what it's worth, my mom is left-handed, and i think i learned to do some things the lefty way from watching her as a child, so this may be part of my confusion)

jcsumm0

I put it on the shoulder of my dominant hand (I'm right handed).  I really only use it for a hip carry, so then LO is on my left hip, which is where I would normally carry her on my hip.  It leaves my right hand more free.

SirSleepsALot

I put mine on left shoulder - right handed.  It was easier to adjust the "tail"/rings, etc. with my right hand.  I also carry my kids on the left so it made sense. 

jday1229

I can relate to the confusion - I'm technically left handed but only eat and write with my left hand and do everything else right-handed (carry my purse on my left side as well). For me, I'm most comfortable holding babies on my left side so I always put the rings on my right shoulder. I'm actually better at adjusting the rings with my right hand so that helps. It does make it tricky to have the baby on your dominant side if you need to write or do something with that arm but it is more comfortable for me on that side.

Mobility with the sling shoulder will also depend on what position you use and how much you spread the fabric so if you're using a tummy-to-tummy position you might not have as strong a preference but if you're doing a hip carry you'll be more restricted.

I think you may just have to go with what is most comfortable for you so you can wear it confidently. Practice with something substantial, like an 8-10lb bag of birdseed.

Amitchell0626

I would put it however feels comfortable to you! I have a non adjustable sling and have it on my left shoulder, I'm right handed.

textbookcase

I use it on my left shoulder and I'm right-handed. It's the most comfortable way for me.

nosoup4u

It's just one of those things that you'll have to wait and see what you're more comfortable with. 

I'm right-handed, but I like having cross-shoulder bags on my left shoulder. I did the same with the ring sling, also so I could have more freedom with my right hand. But! it made my back hurt after awhile, so I switched and used it on my right shoulder, too.

WIAgrrrr

I put it on without thinking over my left shoulder. It felt awkward. I have since been putting it over my right shoulder and love it. I would usually hold LO with my left arm, so it is more natural.

ETA: I am right hand dominant.

hey_little_bird

WIAgrrrr:

I put it on without thinking over my left shoulder. It felt awkward. I have since been putting it over my right shoulder and love it. I would usually hold LO with my left arm, so it is more natural.

ETA: I am right hand dominant.

when i hold someone else's  baby i tend to use my left arm (with the child's head pointing to my left side), so that makes sense.

cookinitup

I wear my sling on either shoulder - it doesn't seem to matter much.  Usually I just put the rings on whatever side I last BF on so that I can easily switch LO to cradle position when he gets hungry.