BABY SLING WEARING INSTRUCTIONS:

SAFETY ALERT:  PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE ON SAFETY WEARING AN INFANT IN A SOFT CARRIER SLING BEFORE USING YOUR SLING WITH A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 4 MONTHS:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/Positioning.pdf

HOW TO PUT A BABY SLING ON
1. Fold the baby sling sling in half along the seam.

2. Put the baby sling on like a sash across your torso with the seam in the middle of your body.  It should not feel too tight.

3. Here is the opening for your child.  

  4. Make sure the baby sling is flat across your back before putting your child in. This ensures comfort.

 
CRADLE CARRY for infants (at least 8 pounds and full term) to 10 months
1. With the seam of the sling in the center of your body open the pouch.
   

2. While cradling your baby's head and body slide the baby in, bottom first. The seam should always be up your baby's bottom or along their back as this is the strongest part of the sling.
   

3. Slide the feet in gently and then the head.

4. Pull the outside of the pouch up enclosing the baby.

5. To further adjust your child in the sling, slide one hand up on the inside (closest to your body) while pulling the outside of the sling up with your other hand.

6. To pull your child in closer to you fold the top layer of fabric over your shoulder (called the half shoulder flip).
   
7. Older babies can also be carried in the cradle carry position with their head and arms out of the sling (the baby seen here is 8 months, 22 pounds and the length of a 1- year-old).

Be careful when positioning a newborn in the cradle position that their airway is completely open.  For detailed information on how to position a newborn in your sling - go HERE.  Proper positioning is important and EASY.  Questions?  E-mail us at info@lucky-baby.com
 
KANGAROO CARRY (for babies with good head control to 10+ months)
1. Start with the seam at the center of your body and open the pouch up with the side closest to your body up higher than the outside of the sling.

2. With your baby facing away from you slide their bottom in first in the sitting position.

3. Tuck their feet in and cross them Indian style if they are younger or slide them to the side if they are bigger and longer.  Gently pull up on the front fabric until it's where you want it to be.

 
BELLY TO BELLY CARRY (for babies with good head control to 35 pounds)
1. With the seam of the sling at the center of your body open up the pouch and pull the outside of the sling up higher than the inside.
  

2. With your baby facing you slide them down into the sling making sure that their feet are not caught in the sling.
 

3. Pull the outside of the sling up making sure that their bottoms are well supported in the pouch. If they are sleepy you can pull the sling up over their heads (for younger babies) or shoulders as seen here.
 

4. Older children may prefer to have their arms out of the sling in this position.

 
HIP CARRY (for babies with good head control to 35 pounds)
1. With the seam of the sling at the center of your body open up the pouch and pull the outside of the sling up higher than the inside.

2. With your baby facing you slide them down into the sling making sure that their feet are not caught in the sling.

 3. Pull the outside of the sling up making sure that their bottoms are well supported in the pouch.
 

 4. Slide the baby over to your hip. Older babies may prefer to have their arms out.
 

5. You can pull the sling up over their shoulders if they are grabby and put a toy in there for them to play with.  The sling should feel comfortable and not too tight.

 
BACK CARRY (18 months and up) WARNING: Wait until your child is at least 18 months old before using the back carry position!
1. Start with your child in the hip carry position.

2. Flip your arm over so it is in front of your child and gently slide them onto your back.

3. Children can put their arms in the sling or out.

 
HALF SHOULDER FLIP (use this technique to pull your baby in closer)
1. Fold back the top layer of fabric at your shoulder. This technique can be used with any of the sling carrying positions.

SAFETY ALERT:  PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE ON SAFETY WEARING AN INFANT IN A SOFT CARRIER SLING BEFORE USING YOUR SLING WITH A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 4 MONTHS:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/Positioning.pdf

DO NOT use a sling until you have read and fully understand wearing and safety instructions.  When using a sling with a newborn (at least full term and over 8 pounds) it is critical that you make sure baby’s airway is open at ALL TIMES! A proper fit will result in the bottom of the sling falling mid-torso, slightly above your hip. Your baby should feel secure. Using a sling takes practice, so take time placing your baby in the sling and keep one hand on your child until you are comfortable using a sling. Remember there are no buckles, so please do not take your child’s safety for granted. Use common sense – do not cook, use sharp objects, drive, run, etc. while using the sling. Remember to bend at the knees and do not lean over. Lucky Baby Slings can not be held responsible for misuse of the sling. Be sure to continue to check your sling for signs of wear and weak/loose seams. If the sling seems compromised, DO NOT use it. It is after all, being used to carry your precious child.