Safe Use Guide

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE WEARING THE SLING WITH YOUR BABY INSIDE. 

I suggest that you wear your sling solo at first and practice with a doll to get comfortable wearing it and the feel of it around your body yourself.  After you have done so, you can place your baby into the sling and adjust him/her until they are comfortable.  This will take some practice and patience, so give it a little time before giving up.  The time and effort is definetely worth it. 

PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY!!  Your Baby's safety is your responsibility, please be SAFE!  I can not be held responsible for accidents while using the sling.  Your purchase from me is your agreement to these terms. 

Using a baby sling or wrap can make life easier for you and is good for your baby. Following are some of the advantages of "wearing" your baby (from The Baby Book by William and Martha Sears):

  • It's convenient. You can breastfeed discretely in a sling while working, getting things done around the house, shopping or eating in a restaurant. If you have a baby who wants to be held all the time, this is an easy way to meet her needs while doing other things.

  • It helps moms care for older siblings. Carrying your baby in a sling can give you the mobility to care for your older children.

  • It helps some babies to breastfeed better. Some babies, particularly those who are tense or tend to arch their backs, breastfeed better while moving. Also, babies who are slow to gain weight (for no apparent reason) have been known to gain better if carried in a sling for several hours a day, since proximity to mom encourages babies to eat more frequently.

  • It reduces crying and colic. A 1986 study of 99 mother-infant pairs (reported in Pediatrics) showed that carrying babies at least three hours a day reduces crying and fussing 43% during the day and 51% at night. Babies are happier because they have less need to cry, and parents enjoy their babies more as a result.

  • It enhances learning. Carried babies have enhanced visual and auditory alertness, and increased "quiet alertness" times. Carrying a baby promotes cognitive development and speech development, since babies are exposed to more experiences and conversations.

  • Carried babies are involved in their parents' world. They participate in life, rather than see it as a spectator.

  • Carrying your baby promotes bonding and enhances parents' feelings of competence. A higher frequency of feeding and touching stimulates mothering hormones, and frequent carrying encourages and speeds the development of a mutual reading of each other's cues. 

OK, Lets Get Started Wearing our Baby:

Basic CRADLE Hold (Breastfeeding, Newborns, Napping Toddlers, shown above)

Unfold the Pouch Sling so that the seam is hanging under your arm, pull it up to between your breasts and navel.  Fold the width in half.  Make sure the open sewn edges are by your neck and the fold is on the outside.

2. Put your left arm through the opening on the side away from the tab. (If you want to wear the Pouch on the other side just switch all the rights and lefts.) Slide the Pouch over your head onto your right shoulder. The open edges (with the stitching) should be near your neck. The folded edges should be over your shoulder.  This forms the Pouch where baby will sit.  Make sure the seam, located by the label,  is near your navel, mid point of your body.

3. Hold your baby with your right arm, like you are going to burp him/her, and open the Pouch with your left hand. Place your baby in the Pouch  feet first, so that your baby's bottom rests on the bottom seam and your baby's head is on the right side.  You can move the seam wherever you may need more room after you are comfortable wearing the sling.

4. For your comfort, be sure the Pouch fabric goes across your shoulder and back evenly, don’t let it bunch up.  Make sure your baby is inside the sling well, and that the fabric is pulled up equally on both sides of the baby.  Start moving. Your baby enjoys motion. Walking around will help you both adjust to your Pouch. 

If your baby is between 2-4 months, you may want to put the seam near their feet so that they have more room to move their legs.  Be vigilant, because baby is not as deep in the sling in this position.  Also, you can allow them to put one leg outisde the sling, as long as their bottom is firmly planted on the seam inside the sling. 

Once baby can hold his/her head up, you can sit them up with legs dangling in the tummy 2 tummy and hip carry positions.  If you need further assistance, with a fussy baby, please contact me and I can help!  Baby Safety should be #1 so if you are not sure, *contact me*.


 For very small babies, Newborns and for Breastfeeding
If your baby is "lost" down in the fabric there are several things you can do:
1. Turn your baby around so that your baby's head is on your left side. You can also adjust the position of the bottom seam so that it is closer to baby's feet. The Pouch is not as deep when used this way so please be sure your baby is secure.
2. Put a towel or receiving blanket beneath your baby.

Wearing your baby on your hip or facing you (Our Favorite)
Once your baby has head control you can wear your baby on your hip. Put the Pouch on with the bottom seam on your side. Lower your baby into the Pouch with your baby's legs straddling you. Make sure the fabric is securely pulled under your baby's knees and bottom. Then pull the remaining fabric up the baby's back and under the baby's arms.  For tummy just put the seam in the front, equal with your navel.  Baby should be sitting with knees slightly higher than their hiney.

Wearing your baby or toddler on your back
Once your baby is securely in the Pouch Sling you may slide the Pouch and baby around to your back. Pay attention to your baby's movements because it is possible to climb out of the Pouch. Bring your child back to the front if he/she is trying to get out.  I don't recommend this position until your baby or child can understnad "do not get out".

Other positions
As you become comfortable with your Pouch Sling and as your baby grows you may prefer other positions such as sitting cross legged and facing out or standing up and facing out.  You will discover what works best for you and your baby the more you use the sling.  NEVER use a position if you do not feel like your baby is secure or safe.  Commor sense should be your best guide.  However, if you were not blessed with it, have a spouse or freind help you out...lol..jk. 

ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE WHEN USING THE SLING.  IT IS YOUR BABY'S HEALTH AND SAFETY.  I CAN AND WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS.

Choosing the correct size
Please see the measuring guide at the left for complete measuring instrctions.  If it is difficult to get your baby in and out of your Pouch Sling, it is probably too small. If your legs knock the baby when you walk, then you need a smaller size.

Please contact me by phone or email if you need to exchange your Pouch for a different size.  To get a bigger sling, the cost is $10 plus the cost of shipping both ways, to make the sling smaller is free.

Laundering
Your Pouch Sling is made of 100% cotton, in most cases, and should be washed in cold water and dried on low heat to prevent shrinking.  If you over dry your sling it will shrink.

Please be careful
As with all brands of sling and pouch type baby carriers your child is not tied in. Always pay attention to your child's security and movements.  You and You alone are responsible for your childs safety when using the sling, I can and will not be held responsible for accidents while using the sling.

CAUTION TO PARENTS:

Young babies can be at risk for Positional asphyxia.  Positional asphyxia is a type of suffocation that happens when a person’s body is put in a position restricting airflow.  One form of positional asphyxia affecting small babies can occur when their chin is pushed down against their chest.  Keep your baby safe by insuring their head is back far enough to insure free air flow.  Do not allow your baby’s nose or mouth to become pressed against any soft bedding, soft parent, a pillow, plastic bag or any material that could restrict airflow.  This is especially important when your baby is sleeping.

Tips for ensuring your baby’s safety:

Your baby should be visible at all times so you can monitor his/her well being.  Warning signs of positional asphyxia are:

1.      Frequent or continuous grunting or sighing

2.      Labored or rapid breathing

Oxygenated studies show that placing a carefully folded receiving blanket behind the baby’s back from the bottom to shoulders inside of the carrier will help to lift the baby’s chin off of his/her chest.  This improves oxygenation to the safe level and should always be done for babies that are sick or small birthweight or for babies until they have muscle tone to control their head.
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