Depending on baby’s age and ability the sling can be used in countless ways. Slinging your baby will take time and patience for you and your baby to get used to. Once you have baby securely in the sling, walk around. Movement will help you and baby become accustom to the sling. We suggest to start wearing your baby sling soon and often for years of “baby wearing”. Start when baby and you are calm and well rested. With practice you will soon be a pro at baby wearing!
Wearing
Our sling can be worn on the left or right shoulder. The instructions are written for the right shoulder wearer. Switch right shoulder for left if this suits your needs better. Start by threading the tail through both rings. Fold tail back on itself weaving over the first ring and under the second ring. Think of how you do your belt buckle. Holding the rings in you right hand, slip the wrap over your head and your left arm. Rest the rings on your right shoulder, or slightly in front, with the tail in front. You will be wearing the sling as a sash. The rings will move towards the front of your body when tightened. As you work with your sling and as baby grows, you may need to adjust the starting point of the rings. You will want to end up with the pad on you shoulder for maximum comfort. Play around with the starting position of the rings. You will have the hang of it in no time!
To Wear Your Newborn in a Sling
Newborn/Nursing Create a deep pouch with your sling. Be sure to have the inside edge of the sling pulled up high on your chest. Use your elbow or hand to help open the sling’s pocket. Support baby’s head and weight while
slipping baby into sling. Tighten your sling while supporting baby’s weight and head. Pulling on either edge of the tail will tighten the sides of the sling individually. Please be sure the sling is secure and will support your baby before removing support arm. Baby can lie with head away or towards the rings. This is a wonderful position to nurse your baby, and the tail can be used for extra cover if desired. Young babies will look bunched up inside the pouch similar to being in the womb. If they are uncomfortable they will let you know. If you would like, you may put a small blanket or pillow in the bottom of the sling before placing baby inside.
Vertical Carry Your Infant
As your baby grows and gains head control, carefully place baby in the sling with their tummy on your tummy with the bottom edge of fabric covering the bottom of baby and the top edge of fabric covering baby’s head. Tighten the fabric securely on bottom and top to hold baby.
Vertical Carry with Older Babies/Toddlers
Please see instructions for the Vertical Carry above. As your baby discovers the world around them, they may enjoy these ways to be carried. When baby has head control, you can try removing the top fabric over the head and allowing baby to look around.
Kangaroo Carry
Some babies need to see the outside world! This is a great way to carry older infants that have good head control. Be sure to have the inside edge of the sling pulled up high on your chest. While holding your infant against your chest, facing out, cross their legs and slip them into the sling pouch. While still supporting baby, tighten sling. Baby will have a great view and be able to reach and lunge for things so please be careful! You may need an extra hand to help you get baby in the first couple of times.
Hip Carry Your Older Baby Hip Carry Your Older Baby
As your child grows, this is a nice way to carry them. Your hip will bear the brunt of the weight and your hands will be free. Place your child in the sling with their legs straddling your hip. Extend the bottom fabric under their bottom and towards their knees. Pull the top of the sling up to under their arms. Tighten the sling securely. You may find it helpful to tuck their arms inside the sling.
Piggy Back Your Toddler Piggy Back Your Toddler
This is a wonderful way to carry your growing toddler. We recommend that your child is at least one year old and have a friend check the security of the child before venturing out. Place you child on your hip as you would for the hip carry. Tuck their arms inside the sling. Slide you child to your back until their legs straddle your back. Check that the bottom edge of the sling is under their bottom and extended towards knees. The top edge of the sling should be over the shoulders. Tighten sling securely.
Use with a Shopping Cart
Ever get to the store and place your child in a shopping cart only to fnd that the saftely strap is missing or broken? With your sling you have a ready made safety belt. Thread the sling through the back of the cart seat and around your child. Tighten securely. Never leave your child unattended in a shopping cart.
Removing you Infant/Child from a Sling
You can keep your custom fit by loosening the sling just enough to remove the infant/child. This will help minimize the adjustments to be made the next time you wear your baby sling. While supporting your infant/child carefully pull the top ring up to loosen the sling. Remove child from the sling.
What do I do with the tail?
The extra length or tail of the sling can be used as a cover up while nursing or to protect your child against the elements. You may also tuck the extra tail into the sling itself. Our sling has a buttonhole on both ends of the tail to attach a “link” to carry a small rattle or pacifier. Please do not attach strings or toys smaller than your fist to the sling. Always inspect you sling/rings prior to using.
Washing
Our slings have been pre-washed to minimize shrinkage and color bleeding. Please wash your sling separately in cold water to minimize color bleeding. the metal rings can really bang up your dryer so we would recommend hang drying them.
A Word of Caution
Slings should be treated as an additional layer of clothes. Be sure to check your baby’s warmth and adjust clothing as needed. Remember your baby is not tied in while using a sling. Please use caution while bending over by placing an arm around your child. It is possible your child could climb out of a sling. Please do not use if your child is uncooperative. Do not wear you baby in a sling while cooking. Always inspect you sling prior to use. Continuously check to make sure baby is secure while wearing baby in the sling. Please follow all instructions carefully. Use at your own risk. For further instructions or questions regarding your sling please email us or call Melanie at 507-261-7781.
Wearing
Our sling can be worn on the left or right shoulder. The instructions are written for the right shoulder wearer. Switch right shoulder for left if this suits your needs better. Start by threading the tail through both rings. Fold tail back on itself weaving over the first ring and under the second ring. Think of how you do your belt buckle. Holding the rings in you right hand, slip the wrap over your head and your left arm. Rest the rings on your right shoulder, or slightly in front, with the tail in front. You will be wearing the sling as a sash. The rings will move towards the front of your body when tightened. As you work with your sling and as baby grows, you may need to adjust the starting point of the rings. You will want to end up with the pad on you shoulder for maximum comfort. Play around with the starting position of the rings. You will have the hang of it in no time!
To Wear Your Newborn in a Sling
Newborn/Nursing Create a deep pouch with your sling. Be sure to have the inside edge of the sling pulled up high on your chest. Use your elbow or hand to help open the sling’s pocket. Support baby’s head and weight while
slipping baby into sling. Tighten your sling while supporting baby’s weight and head. Pulling on either edge of the tail will tighten the sides of the sling individually. Please be sure the sling is secure and will support your baby before removing support arm. Baby can lie with head away or towards the rings. This is a wonderful position to nurse your baby, and the tail can be used for extra cover if desired. Young babies will look bunched up inside the pouch similar to being in the womb. If they are uncomfortable they will let you know. If you would like, you may put a small blanket or pillow in the bottom of the sling before placing baby inside.Vertical Carry Your Infant
As your baby grows and gains head control, carefully place baby in the sling with their tummy on your tummy with the bottom edge of fabric covering the bottom of baby and the top edge of fabric covering baby’s head. Tighten the fabric securely on bottom and top to hold baby.Vertical Carry with Older Babies/Toddlers
Please see instructions for the Vertical Carry above. As your baby discovers the world around them, they may enjoy these ways to be carried. When baby has head control, you can try removing the top fabric over the head and allowing baby to look around.
Kangaroo Carry
Some babies need to see the outside world! This is a great way to carry older infants that have good head control. Be sure to have the inside edge of the sling pulled up high on your chest. While holding your infant against your chest, facing out, cross their legs and slip them into the sling pouch. While still supporting baby, tighten sling. Baby will have a great view and be able to reach and lunge for things so please be careful! You may need an extra hand to help you get baby in the first couple of times.
Hip Carry Your Older Baby Hip Carry Your Older Baby
As your child grows, this is a nice way to carry them. Your hip will bear the brunt of the weight and your hands will be free. Place your child in the sling with their legs straddling your hip. Extend the bottom fabric under their bottom and towards their knees. Pull the top of the sling up to under their arms. Tighten the sling securely. You may find it helpful to tuck their arms inside the sling.
Piggy Back Your Toddler Piggy Back Your Toddler
This is a wonderful way to carry your growing toddler. We recommend that your child is at least one year old and have a friend check the security of the child before venturing out. Place you child on your hip as you would for the hip carry. Tuck their arms inside the sling. Slide you child to your back until their legs straddle your back. Check that the bottom edge of the sling is under their bottom and extended towards knees. The top edge of the sling should be over the shoulders. Tighten sling securely.Use with a Shopping Cart
Ever get to the store and place your child in a shopping cart only to fnd that the saftely strap is missing or broken? With your sling you have a ready made safety belt. Thread the sling through the back of the cart seat and around your child. Tighten securely. Never leave your child unattended in a shopping cart.
Removing you Infant/Child from a Sling
You can keep your custom fit by loosening the sling just enough to remove the infant/child. This will help minimize the adjustments to be made the next time you wear your baby sling. While supporting your infant/child carefully pull the top ring up to loosen the sling. Remove child from the sling.
What do I do with the tail?
The extra length or tail of the sling can be used as a cover up while nursing or to protect your child against the elements. You may also tuck the extra tail into the sling itself. Our sling has a buttonhole on both ends of the tail to attach a “link” to carry a small rattle or pacifier. Please do not attach strings or toys smaller than your fist to the sling. Always inspect you sling/rings prior to using.
Washing
Our slings have been pre-washed to minimize shrinkage and color bleeding. Please wash your sling separately in cold water to minimize color bleeding. the metal rings can really bang up your dryer so we would recommend hang drying them.
A Word of Caution
Slings should be treated as an additional layer of clothes. Be sure to check your baby’s warmth and adjust clothing as needed. Remember your baby is not tied in while using a sling. Please use caution while bending over by placing an arm around your child. It is possible your child could climb out of a sling. Please do not use if your child is uncooperative. Do not wear you baby in a sling while cooking. Always inspect you sling prior to use. Continuously check to make sure baby is secure while wearing baby in the sling. Please follow all instructions carefully. Use at your own risk. For further instructions or questions regarding your sling please email us or call Melanie at 507-261-7781.