Sakura Bloom Linen Ring Sling Review

Baby wearing selfies are not easy. Keep reading for my review on our new Sakura Bloom ring sling!

(If you want to know how our Sakura Bloom ring sling is holding up at 14 months, click here! Or, if you want my review on Sakura Bloom's new "Classic" slings, click here!)

I'm so excited about my new Sakura Bloom sling. Being a thrifty mama on maternity leave, I didn't ever think I would be able to treat myself to one of these gorgeous slings. While the internet is great for the convenience of ordering, I always want to try everything out and on before I purchase. That's the fate that introduced me to my first love, the Maya ring sling, which I purchased a few weeks before Emmy was born. They were the only slings in stock at any stores around us at the time, and I wanted to practice before she arrived (so in typical excited mama fashion, I spent those last few weeks wearing the dog around the house). 

With all of the Sakura Bloom sling mamas that I follow on Instagram, I just had to know. What was the difference? Was there one? What was this amazing sling secret that I was missing out on? Don't get me wrong, my Maya ring sling was great: we traveled everywhere with it, and without that sling I would have never gotten over my shyness of public nursing (sling nursing rocks. Seriously). I took to my city's babywearing group on Facebook and asked them right out -- What's the difference?

The first comment was minutes later from the owner of an all natural baby store around the corner from us. "I have some linen Sakura Blooms down at the shop. On sale. Why don't you go check them out?"

Now, this store is literally two streets away from me. Fifteen houses tops. But I swear I must have beaten some kind of world record for how quick I got there. I feel like I was a little more composed coming in than I remember -- in my head I totally see myself bursting through the front door and asking for the slings all Hulk-like. "SAKURA... BLOOM!"

I opened the boxes and looked at all the colors, and as beautiful and unique as every single one was, I knew we would end up with something pink. Not only is it my favorite color, I wanted something that said "Hey! Notice me and my awesome baby wearing self!" and the beautiful  color of their Coral sling does just that -- although every color alone could be considered a fashion statement. The linen looked and felt so much more breathable than the thick Maya sling, and the fabric moved through the rings so easily. I knew we wouldn't be taking this bad girl home until we tried her out though -- and within minutes of trying out the sling, we knew we were in love.

The fabric spread so easily over my shoulder, distributing all 15 pounds of Emmy evenly, unlike the padded shoulder of the Maya. It was easy to adjust, just pulling the fabric up through the rings, unlike the Maya where it as always a struggle. Also, it was so cool and breezy. Coming from Florida, Land of All Things Air Conditioned, to Canada, where AC is almost regarded as a guilty pleasure, the thought of being too hot in the summer was definitely putting me off from baby wearing. 

Emmy and I went on a long walk through the neighborhood shortly after, and this is where the best part of the Sakura Bloom sling came into play. I don't know what kind of magic Sakura Bloom deals in, but after over an hour walk downtown through three different parks, I wasn't hurting at all. And this surprised me more than anything! I stepped into the house and did my usual routine thinking of "boy, I can't wait to put Emmy down", and then realized that I didn't have to. Holding her, even on one shoulder, wasn't hurting. Usually after a walk that long I would pretty much be hobbling back into the house and not be able to wear Emmy on the same shoulder for hours after.. But not this time. So I left Em to continue napping in the sling while I did dishes, ate lunch, and cleaned the bathroom. And it's been a long time since I've gotten to do any of that.

What this super long review comes down to is: If you can spend the money, get one as soon as possible. And if you can't, be sure to follow Sakura Bloom on Instagram and Facebook as they are constantly doing giveaways! Even for a thrifty mama like myself, it was worth the splurge -- and after rehoming my Maya sling, I've only paid twenty bucks out of pocket. Not too bad if I say so myself. It's been days since my purchase and I've been able to wear Emmy so much more than before, which makes both of us happy (and still no sore shoulder or back!) and makes it so mommy is enjoying lunch a lot more often these days.

You can check out all of Sakura Bloom's slings at  http://www.sakurabloom.com/

(Pssst! Check out our updated review of our Sakura Bloom sling at 14 months by clicking here!)