The best baby sling carrier is the one you can put on the same way every time, with your baby upright, snug against your chest and with their face in view. Parents usually mean one of two things by "sling": a ring sling, which sits on one shoulder, or a stretchy baby wrap, which goes around both shoulders and your back. Each has a trade-off. Konny FLEX, a carrier you slip on like a T-shirt, sits between the two.
Ring slings and stretchy wraps side by side
| What to compare | Ring sling | Stretchy wrap |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | One piece of fabric threaded through two rings | One long piece of stretchy fabric |
| Where the weight sits | On one shoulder | Across both shoulders and your back |
| Putting it on | Thread the fabric and pull it through the rings | Wind and tie the fabric around you |
| What it is good for | Quick ups and downs, short trips | Holding a newborn close for longer |
| What takes practice | Getting the rings tight and even | Learning a wrapping method |
When a ring sling makes sense
A ring sling is quick once you know it. You slide your baby in, pull the tail of the fabric through the rings, and you are done. That makes it handy for short errands and for a baby who wants to be up, then down, then up again.
The trade-off is the shoulder. All of your baby's weight sits on one side, so a ring sling can feel tiring on long walks. Getting the fabric tight and even through the rings also takes a few tries.
When a stretchy wrap makes sense
A stretchy wrap holds a small baby close and spreads the weight across both shoulders and your back. It suits the newborn weeks, when your baby wants to be held for much of the day.
The trade-off is time. You wind and tie a long piece of fabric around you to put it on, and learning a wrapping method takes practice. The long tails can also drag on the floor while you wrap.
Something in between: Konny FLEX
Konny FLEX is a baby carrier you slip on like a T-shirt instead of winding a long wrap around you, and its two shoulder sashes go over both shoulders and spread your baby's weight across your torso, rather than resting on one shoulder like a ring sling. FLEX is not a ring sling, and it holds your baby close against your chest. It comes in two sizes, XS-XL and M-4XL, and you pick yours by your usual top size.
Set FLEX to your size before you put it on. Then it goes on in three steps:
- Pull FLEX on like a T-shirt.
- Tuck your baby in securely.
- Wrap the outer sash.
Check that the sashes lie flat over both of your shoulders and hold your baby from thigh to knee. Expect a little practice at first. The Carrier Wear Guide shows each step on video. FLEX has three carry positions: a newborn hold, facing in, and facing out once your baby can hold their head up.
FLEX weighs 7 oz (195 g) and folds into the pouch it comes with, so it fits in an everyday bag. Both versions cost $59.99.
FLEX is sized to the wearer, so check the size guide on the product page before you order.
How to choose for your day
Start with how long you will carry your baby and how you want to put the carrier on.
- Short trips and quick ups and downs, and one shoulder is fine: a ring sling.
- Long newborn cuddles, and you don't mind learning to wrap: a stretchy wrap.
- A close hold on both shoulders, slipped on instead of winding a long wrap: Konny FLEX.
- Two parents sharing one carrier: a ring sling or a wrap adjusts to each wearer. FLEX adjusts too, with a size setting from 1 to 13, so two parents can share one when they both fit the same FLEX size.
Carrier safety basics
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises checking on your baby often in any carrier and keeping fabric and your own body clear of their mouth and nose. For slings, the AAP adds that some may curl a baby into a C-shape, which makes breathing problems far more likely. Keep your baby's neck straight, keep their chin off their chest, and keep their face in view at all times.
The AAP also says babies born prematurely or with breathing problems "should not be placed in backpacks or other upright positioning devices," because being upright in these may make breathing harder for them.
Read the AAP's baby carrier guidance and follow the instructions for your own carrier.
FAQ
Does a ring sling hurt your shoulder?
It can on long carries, because the whole weight sits on one shoulder. If that shoulder gets sore, switch sides or try a carrier that goes over both shoulders, such as Konny FLEX.
What is the difference between FLEX SoftBreeze and FLEX AirMesh?
Both weigh 7 oz (195 g) and come with a pouch. The difference is the fabric: SoftBreeze is a soft poly-cotton blend you can wear in every season, and AirMesh is a light, airy mesh for warm days.
Can two parents share one FLEX?
Yes, when you both fit the same FLEX size. It comes in two, XS-XL and M-4XL. If your size falls between them, pick XS-XL when your partner is slimmer. Pick M-4XL when your partner is larger, or when your bust measures more than 37 in (95 cm).