How to Wear a Sling

A sling supports an injured arm, shoulder, or collarbone while it heals. Slings can be made of a cloth pocket with a strap, or just straps to hold the arm up. Using the sling correctly will make your child more comfortable and decrease swelling in the hand.

• Help your child wear the sling as instructed:

  • Be sure to place the arm correctly in the sling.

  • Keep the hand higher than the elbow.

  • Encourage your child to wiggle his or her fingers occasionally.

  • Only remove or adjust the sling if the medical team says it's OK.

  • Talk with the medical team about whether your child should sleep with the sling on.

• Check the skin under the straps and at the edges of the sling for blisters, sores, or redness.

• If the strap rubs the neck, put a cloth between the skin and the strap.

Bath instructions:

• If the medical team said not to remove or adjust the sling, use a damp washcloth to clean your child.

• If it's OK to remove the sling for short periods, take it off for baths or showers, to change your child's clothes, to clean the sling, or to do recommended exercises.

  • While the sling is off, remind your child not to lift or move the arm.

  • To clean the sling: Use soap and water and let it air dry.

Your child:

• has swelling in the fingers, hand, or arm

• has pain that continues while taking pain medicine, or that spreads or gets worse

• has blisters, rashes, or raw spots on the skin around the sling or straps

• can't get the sling back on comfortably after removing it

• needs a new sling because the first one is torn or damaged

• Your child has trouble moving the fingers.

• Your child's hand or fingers tingle or feel weak.