| Sling Instruction Manual |
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Here are some handy tips for the use and care of your sling,
including instructions on how to wear your baby in different positions.
If you're like most people, it will take you a few days to get comfortable and familiar with getting baby in and out of the sling, and changing positions once there. In no time, however, you'll be quieting a fussy baby while putting on the sling and unfastening nursing wear all at once! TIP: stand in front of a mirror while getting familiar with your sling and learning how to position baby!
Washing Instructions :
Safety Considerations :
The wearer is fully responsible for the baby's safety at all times. The makers of the sling are not liable for improper or unsafe use of the sling resulting in any degree of injury. Simple Tips: * Depending on your stature and your baby's age, you may find that once baby is positioned in the sling you have a long and flowing sling tail to contend with. The long tail comes in very handy as a shade from bright sun, harsh wind, snow or rain, it serves as a built-in blanket for discreet breastfeeding and can be easily used to wrap around the rings to protect little wobbly heads. If you aren't in need of any of these things, simply gather the tail and tuck it between your body and you baby's. This will keep it out of the way as you're getting things done! * For all positions that have baby's legs within the sling, create a shallow pocket with the inner rail so that the baby is fully supported. However, the pocket doesn't need to be too deep (except for the kangaroo hold where the inside rail is nearly level with the outside rail), just deep enough to support the baby's body securely while allowing enough fabric to support baby's back and head. As always, experiment and use good judgment! * Did you know that your sling comes with lifetime support? Whether you purchased it new or lucked out with a hand-me-down, you can reach us throughout your baby wearing years with any questions or concerns. If you live in or are visiting the Victoria, BC area you can schedule an in-person lesson too, as often as you need! Detailed Wearing Instructions **instructions are presented chronologically from newborn to preschooler**
THREADING & PUTTING ON YOUR SLING: Each time you use your sling, begin by making sure that the fabric is properly threaded through the rings. The edges of the sling fabric should be at the outer edges of the section gathered through the rings. This will make your life a lot easier when it comes time to adjust the sling! You may have to re-thread your sling from time to time.
To thread the rings, drape the sling over one shoulder (the folds of the fabric facing up) and hold the outter edges of the tail. Gather the tail fabric into a bunch, keeping the edges of the fabric pinched under your thumbs.
Pull the gathered tail up through BOTH rings from underneath. Separate the rings and thread the tail over the top ring and through the bottom ring. (The same mechanics as those stylin' belts from the 80's.)
Place the threaded sling onto one shoulder. The label should be facing out and right-side-up. Lift the sling over your head to rest on the opposite shoulder. You should now be wearing the sling like a sash, rings and label facing out, tail hanging down. The sling should be resting over your shoulder, not by your neck. Adjust to your comfort. Assure that the sling is not twisted or bunched and is lying flat across your back. Start off with the rings slightly higher than their final position (around armpit level). TIP: It is important to get used to using your sling on both shoulders. Start from day one alternating sides! Create a pocket in the sling by tightening the inner rail so that the fabric is snug against your ribs. Do this by pulling only the edge of the tail that corresponds with the inner rail. Tighten the entire sling leaving enough room to place baby in the pocket. Do this by grasping the entire tail and pulling slightly. Check position of rings.
UPRIGHT CARRY (infant, toddler):
*Please note that the inner rail does not necessarily need to be as high as shown above for all carrying positions. As long as the inner rail creates enough of a pocket that little feet will not slip out by accident, it is deep enough. With the pocket in place and rings positioned high at the front of your shoulder, lower baby into the pocket of the sling. You can also reach into the sling from the side (ring side) to help position baby's legs comfortably. Young babies naturally adopt a frog-like leg position while older babies may try to stand in which case you can help them "sit" in the sling.
Once baby's legs are in the sling, pull the outter rail up to the nape of baby's neck (no higher than the ears for safety) for babies without good head control, or to the shoulders for older babies. Make sure the fabric is tight across your back. Do this by pulling fabric snug and pinching it down with the bicep are of the arm that is supporting your baby's weight. (This becomes automatic very quickly!). Grasp the entire tail, pull OUT & DOWN while supporting baby's weight with your opposite hand. If you aren't supporting baby the sling will not tighten. It is perfectly normal for the padded portion of the rails to be pulled through the rings, particularly with very small wearers &/or very small babies. Adjust the padded rail as necessary for baby's and your comfort.
You can tweak the fit of the sling once baby is in position by pulling different parts of the tail to get rid of sagging or bunching fabric. TIP: Although many people assume that a cradle position would be the obvious choice, almost all newborn babies prefer being held in the upright carry! This position mimics many of the sensations baby is accustomed to from life in the womb! RELEASING THE SLING:
For all carrying positions the sling is released the same way: SUPPORT BABY'S WEIGHT then lift up and out on the ring that sits on top of the gathered tail fabric. CRADLE CARRY (infant, toddler):
Begin by positioning baby in the upright carry, especially while you get used to your sling. This will help assure the correct positioning of the rings & shoulder as well as your overall comfort. Support baby's weight and slightly loosen sling as described above. Still supporting baby's weight, reach into the sling from the ring side and scoop baby's legs toward the rings, head away from the rings. Feet can be tucked into sling or can hang out from the inside. Tighten the sling to comfort, making sure baby is positioned at or above your natural waist (to prevent back strain). BREASTFEEDING CARRY (infant, toddler):
The ability to breastfeed your baby while on the go is immeasurably convenient and absolutely essential for nursing mothers who also have older children! Position as with the cradle carry. For discreet nursing, gently raise the upper rail or use the tail as a cover. Baby's head should not be completely inside the sling. Wild little toddlers (like my son, above) generally prefer having legs out if in the cradle carry. The second image above is a great demonstration of how discreet breastfeeding can be in a sling. KANGAROO CARRY (infant):
Begin with a pocket as shown. Inner rail must be high on the chest for this carry to be utilized safely. This carry can be attempted once baby has good head control, usually around 4 months. Hold baby cross-legged against your shoulder opposite the rings. Baby's bottom should be resting against the inner rail!
Lower baby into the pocket making sure that ONE OR BOTH ARMS ARE ABOVE THE PADDED RAIL. Otherwise the rail will hold snug against baby's neck. Pull the rail across baby's chest, grasp the entire tail to tighten the sling then tighten the padded rail to support baby snuggly.
Adjust to comfort! Many babies enjoy this carry around the house but facing out can easily be very overwhelming for babies. Carrying facing out while going about daily activities outside the home can provide sensory overload to young babies so please listen carefully to baby's cues. HIP CARRY (toddler, preschooler):
Hold toddler against your shoulder with the arm opposite the rings. Using your other hand, position toddler's feet below both padded rails (feet will be sticking out). Pull upper rail to toddler's shoulders then support toddler's weight with your arm opposite the rings.
Supporting your toddler's weight, pull the tail out then down and across your body to tighten the sling.
This is a very comfortable position for carrying toddlers and preschoolers. Arms can be tucked in or left out, however if arms are out be sure the padded rail is high enough on the toddler's back to assure they cannot fall out! Legs should not be hanging straight down, but out on either side of the wearer's body so that the sling forms a seat. BACKPACK CARRY (toddler, preschooler):
For this carry you must begin with the rings on the back side of your shoulder. Once rings are behind your shoulder, position child in the sling as you would for the hip carry, keeping child as far to the side as possible. Supporting their weight, tighten the sling as much as you can. Even after 2-3 years of using a sling, a mirror can still come in handy to get this hold just right, but rest assured you'll get the hang of it!
Placing one hand on the rings and the other hand in front of your child and supporting their bottom, boost them around onto your back. Leaning forward slightly helps you adjust their position. Make sure that they are centered on your back, the padded rail above their shoulders, then bend forward while you tighten the outter rail of the sling.
This is a fantastic carry for toddlers from about 15-18 months + as well as sling-loving preschoolers like my 3-year-old daughter seen above. Your hands are free in front of you to push a stroller, do dishes, prepare snacks or go grocery shopping. The tail can be used to cushion the rings against your chest by tucking it up between the rings and your body.
Do you have a sling-related question you need help with? Did we miss something in these instructions? Let us know via the 'contact us' tab at the top of the page!
Thank you
all images by http://dasilvafoto.com/
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