Tips for wearing your baby safely and comfortably in your sling:
- Each time you put the sling on, examine the rings and stitching to ensure that they are sewn in securely. This is important because you are holding the weight of your baby. You are ultimately responsible for the safety of your child while wearing them in the sling.
- Ensure that the fabric is not twisted while threading or putting your sling on.
- Ensure that the sling doesn’t slide towards your neck as you are wearing it as this could lead to discomfort. Proper positioning and the pleats should help prevent this.
- Tightening the sling in any position: You can tighten the upper and lower edges and even the body of the sling independently by pulling on each separately. Tighten the sling so that your baby feels secure.
- When you are first getting used to wearing the sling, it is a good idea to adjust it while you are sitting down to ensure the baby doesn’t slip out.
- Until you feel confident in wearing your baby, it is helpful to keep an arm around the baby in the sling.
- You can use the sling tail to cover your baby up in any position. It is especially useful for infants who are easily distracted when nursing in public.
- Be aware of your baby’s position at all times!
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Here is a small avi movie (7.75MB avi) of how to thread your sling.
Putting the Sling On
Determine which side you want to wear the sling on. We recommend wearing the sling on the side that you use most often. For example, if you are right-handed, wear the sling on your right shoulder. Bring the sling over your head, keeping the rings just below your collarbone and put your other arm all the way through the sling. Spread the pleated area over your shoulder slightly and ensure it is spread evenly over your back.
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Cradle Carry
This position is best for infants who have yet to develop have head control. Many babies like to nap in this position, and it is among the easiest for nursing.Making a pouch with the body of the sling can be done without rethreading, however you can also thread the sling with a fold in it, keeping the two edges together. Pick up your baby and cradle her in either arm. You can have the baby’s head either away from or beside the rings, whichever works best for you and your baby. With your other hand put the baby into the sling. If your baby’s head is toward the rings, leave enough space so that your baby’s head does not touch the rings. Tighten the sling accordingly so that the baby feels secure.If your baby is small, it may help to roll up a small receiving blanket and put it on either side of the baby. Nursing in the cradle hold:Cradle the baby with her head away from the rings. Pull the sling around her, so that her feet stick out the end. Adjust the fabric around the baby’s bottom and sides so that it is secure. Tighten the sling until you are both comfortable. At first, you will probably be more comfortable holding your baby with you arms while nursing in the sling. With practice, you can nurse hands-free, but it will probably take some time.
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Front Kangaroo Carry
This hold is good those who have good head control and are learning to sit supported, but who are not yet ready for the hip carry. It is a good idea to keep one hand on the baby when using this hold. This hold is not secure when you are bending over forwards. Be sure to hold onto your baby with your hands if you are bending over.Put on your sling and hold your baby on your chest, facing out. Cross your baby’s legs pulling the feet up a bit and with your other hand, open the sling to make a pouch. To make the pouch it is best to loosen the sling a bit in the middle to ensure that there is room in there for the baby to sit comfortably. Lower your baby into the sling, making sure that their feet and legs are inside the fabric. Pull the top edge towards the baby’s chest, tightening the sling so that it is holding the baby into your body.
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Front Chest Carry (cuddle)
This position is good for babies and toddlers of any age. Having the baby close to you is both comforting and soothing. Many babies prefer being upright. You can also nurse in this position once the baby has good head/neck control.Put the sling on as described above. Hold the baby over your shoulder. Put the baby’s feet and legs down through the sling keeping a hand on their bottom for security. For smaller babies you can bend their legs like a frog either having their feet inside or out. For bigger babies, their legs are to be spread apart straddling your body. Their knees should always be higher than their bottoms to ensure that the sling does not cut into the backs of their legs.Tighten the sling by pulling the upper and lower edges of the tail as necessary. The bottom should be nice and snug, so the baby is sitting on the bottom edge of the sling. The body of the sling should also be quite snug, to keep them from arching back. Nursing in the cuddle hold: To nurse in the cuddle hold, loosen the sling at the bottom so that the baby is lower down on your chest and tighten the body to keep the baby secure.
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Back Carry
If you are alone, start with the rings in the back in the same position as you would have them in the front. Slide the baby into the sling at your front with their head on the opposite side from the rings. Tighten the sling closely around the baby’s body to ensure the baby will not flip out when you are moving the baby around to the back Keeping one hand on the baby, shift them around to your back. You can pull on the rings while you lift up the baby. This takes a fair amount of practice and it is a good idea to practice this with someone else around or at least while you are sitting down. Tighten the sling as needed when the baby is in the desired position on your back.For bigger babies and toddlers, start with the rings at your back and put the child in the hip carry. Make sure the fabric is above their shoulders or at the armpits of the toddler. Keeping one hand on the child, lift up while pulling the rings forward, transferring the child to your back. You can keep him either on your hip, behind your arm or higher up on your back like in a piggyback carry.
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Baby Cover
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| Carried babies cry less. Babies that are cuddled close to a caregiver cry less than babies that spend a large amount of time in bucket style carriers, playpens, strollers, etc. |
| Carried babies are more alert. Babies that are worn in a carrier are seeing the world from an adult point of view, and adults will interact more with a baby they have eye contact with. |
| Carried babies are safer. No need to worry about where baby is or if she’s okay, as she’s right there snuggled close to you. |
| Free your hands to care for older children. Wearing your baby can make you more available for playtime with older siblings. Being able to care for an infant and still focus attention on your toddler can be a huge benefit with siblings adjusting to having a new baby. |
| Stop struggling with that stroller. Why wrestle a stroller when you can just pop baby in a carrier and go? Much safer than the shopping cart! |
| Rest those tired arms. A baby carrier distributes the weight across your body, making it much more comfortable than juggling a baby in tired arms. |
| Get the chores done. Using a carrier can free up your hands for household chores, allowing you to cuddle with your baby and get to work at the same time. |
| Nurse on the go. Breastfeeding in a carrier can be discreet and easy with just a little practice. |
| Get extra cuddles. Enjoy those sweet baby hugs while you can. Time moves by much faster than we can imagine. |
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