Threading your sling:

1. With fabric hanging down your back, place the ring-end over your shoulder so that the rings hang in the hollow of your shoulder. Reach around behind your opposite side and take the “tail” end making sure that the fabric doesn't twist across your back. The sling should now be across your back diagonally. 

2. Now bring the tail around you and under your arm to the front. Feed it up through both rings from underneath.

3. Thread the fabric back down through the bottom ring only and tighten around you.

Once you get the concept of threading your sling down you'll be able to thread your sling before you put it on and then just slip it over you head and the arm opposite the ring side.  Just make sure that your tail is facing front and you'll get the rings on the correct side.

4. Spread the fabric out in the rings and make sure the hems are on the outsides. It's much easier to adjust that way. Be sure that the shoulder cap is spread out over your shoulder, and the sling is spread out across your back.*

Now go get your baby...

5. Form a little pouch for your baby. Slip your baby in. It helps to use your free hand to guide your baby's  legs down. Position fabric around baby and adjust to fit by pulling down on the tail while lifting baby up.  Make sure is spread out all the way around your baby. Tighten the sling as much as you can before you put your baby in to keep your rings from shifting too far down when you adjust later.

6. Tighten the top and bottom rails (lengthwise sides) by pulling on the corresponding tail hem side. Your baby should by very snug but not tight in the sling. For newer babies especially, the sling must be snug for support.

To loosen your sling, grasp the bottom of the ring that is on top of the tail and pull up and out until you can take the sling off. But leave your sling threaded. Once your sling is threaded you can slip it over your head and under one arm for quick use next time.

Sling Positions:

Tummy to Tummy

Baby faces in positioned upright in front of you and pulled in close. Legs are spread around you, with baby’s bottom lower than his knees. Legs and arms can be tucked in or out. The top rail can be used to support baby’s head and neck while sleeping or to support a younger baby with less head control.

Hip Carry (For older babies with head control)                                                                                     

Baby is carried on hip facing in. Positioning is similar to tummy to tummy, just shifted to one side. Baby’s legs are wrapped around you, knees bent with baby’s bottom lower than her knees.

Back Carry (For toddlers only)
Start out in the hip carry position, but with your rings in the back, and slide your baby and your sling around to the back and adjust. Fold the top rail down over your shoulder to make your sling pouch more snug & secure. Starting out with your rings resting at your back will make sure that they will not be too far down in the end. Be sure the top rail is snug for safety.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Kangaroo

Kangaroo Carry (Older infants with good upper body strength)
Baby faces out in front of you. For this position it is very important to make sure you make a pouch for baby. Fold baby’s legs Indian style, slip her in and tighten the slack. Your baby should be sitting in the middle of the pouch. This position is only for older babies with good head and neck control and upper body strength.

Cradle Carry (For newborns and while nursing)                                   

Start with baby over your shoulder as if putting her in a tummy to tummy position, and lower baby sideways and diagonal until lying down. Baby should be in the middle of the pouch, as if laying in a hammock. For this postion there should be an inner and an outer rail. Use the tail for privacy while nursing.

Many moms find that placing a folded swaddling blacket under a smaller baby's head and neck gives extra support.

Baby can lay with head or feet near the rings depending on your comfort or nursing needs.

Babywearing Tips and Safety - Please Read!

Before you put your baby in your new sling for the first time...

Determine how your baby likes to be carried. This will cut down on the need to move and reposition your baby in the sling. We know newborns hate to be messed with so give them a break. For example, if your baby enjoys being cradled in your arms then she should like the cradle hold. But if your baby would rather be sitting upright with her head resting on your shoulder or bosom, then the tummy to tummy hold is for you.

Make sure that your baby is well rested and fed. Babies don't like new things usually, so start out while your little one is in a good mood. 

Baby wearing has a small learning curve. If  you are new to baby wearing, you may want to practice using your sling with a doll before introducing your baby to the sling. The doll will be patient while you get the hang of it.

When putting baby in sling for the first time, it helps to get moving to get your baby used to the sling. As we know, rocking comforts most babies. Once your baby is used to his sling, he should love being close to you in it. Sometimes it takes a few tries for you both to get it right.

For a comfortable fit, always make sure that your sling fabric is spread out across your back.

For comfort, do not wear sling across your neck; the sling should cup your shoulder. Spread the shoulder pleats to keep it positioned well on your shoulder.

Make sure sling is snug but not too tight to give baby’s back support, and evenly distribute his weight.

Always carry baby high on your torso, at or above your waist.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Always bend at your knees, not your waist.

For tummy to tummy, hip, and back, carry positions always make sure your baby is sitting in sling pouch with legs spread around you with his bottom lower than his knees.  (Think piggy-back) The sling fabric should be behind his knees. This assures that your baby is being held securely by your sling, not just friction. It also is more comfortable for baby, and will ensure that the fabric does not pinch baby’s thighs.

Keep fabric spread out across baby along his whole torso to hold him securely close to you and to give his back support.

Wrap your tail around your rings to cushion a sleeping baby, or just to if you need it up and out of your way.

Always keep one hand near your baby at all times. They’re wiggly, as you know.

Don't cook with heat, or handle hot liquids, while wearing your baby on your front or hip.

It is not safe to wear your baby for certain activities such as running, driving, or cycling. Use discretion. Any activity that would involve a lot of jostling should be avoided while baby wearing.

Remember, to make tightening you sling easier, lift your baby’s weight up as you pull on the sling tail.

To put a sleeping baby down, simply hold baby close to you as you loosen the sling and unwrap the both of you. Now you’re just holding your baby and you can put baby down as usual.

Wearing Twins.

Slings are great for twins too. Some baby wearing parents choose to wear both babies together in the same sling. Since the twins are used to being snuggled together in the womb, many twins are happy this way. This works great when the babies are younger till about 3-4 months old.

Although you may not always wear both babies at once, it’s good to be able to wear the fussy baby and attend to the other hands free. Then you can switch as needed.

Twin Positions

Twin Tummies: (1 sling) Put each baby tummy to tummy in the sling facing mom or dad. The two will be sitting side by side in the sling. Legs tucked in please, just to be safe.

Double Cradle: (1 Sling) Each baby sits in cradle position facing each other in opposite sides of the sling.

Criss-Cross: (2 Slings) Wearing two slings works well as the twins get larger. Wear each baby on opposite sides in the hip carry position.

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