Baby Wearing instructions:
If you have come here hoping to solve a sling wearing problem
and these instructions and trouble shooting tips don't help please don't hesitate to e-mail us with a description of your situation and we will try to offer you some more individualized help.
 
 Threading your sling:
(This only needs to be done once, just leave it threaded unless you feel that the sling needs to be re-threaded to make the fabric move through the rings more easily or if you are storing the sling and would like to fold it up)

Hold the sling, by its rings, in your dominant hand. Fold the sling in half and bring the tail of the sling up through both rings (the label on the pocket should be facing in and the shoulder pad should be in between the two layers of fabric).	Feed the tail through the lower ring only (the label on the pocket should now be facing out). Spread the fabric out so that it is evenly spread across the rings and the right side of the fabric is showing.

Putting your sling on:

Place the rings of a threaded sling in your dominant hand with the shoulder pad to your back. Lift the sling over your head (as you would a purse strap or sash).	Place the shoulder padding on your shoulder, spread the fabric out over your shoulder and place the rings just at the height of your collar bone.

Cradle/Nursing Carry (birth - 35lbs):

Make a pouch in the front of the sling by pulling the rail that would normally be lowest toward your chest.	While holding baby laying down with your non-dominant hand place her into the sling with her head facing away from the rings.	Support her weight from the outside of the sling while removing your hand from inside the sling. Keep her well supported and tighten the sling (the more weight the sling is supporting the harder it is to tighten).	Always make sure that there is a pouch of fabric all around baby so she can't roll out. Tighten the upper rail as much as needed by pulling on the part of the tail that is an extension of that rail.

Vertical Carry (birth - 8months):

Lift baby into a "burping" position on your shoulder and feed her feet through the sling.	While supporting her weight place the baby directly in front of you and spread the fabric up and around her.	While still supporting her weight pull the fabric through the rings to tighten the sling around her. Make sure that baby is fully supported by the sling before you let go of her weight.	Pull the fabric up around her shoulders (for babies with poor head control make sure that the fabric of the upper rail is snug behind her head  for extra support) and double check that the fabric is spread from knee to knee and that her bottom is lower than her knees and thighs. You're Done!!!

Kangaroo Carry (3 months - 35 lbs):

Make a pouch in the front of the sling by pulling the rail that would normally be lowest toward your chest.	Drop baby in with bottom first with his legs crossed, meditation style.	Support babies weight while you pull fabric through the rings. Usually the top rail (which is adjusted by pulling on the outer fabric of the sling pocket) needs to be tightened to make sure that baby is secure.	Make sure that baby is fully supported by the sling before you let go of his weight. Pull the fabric up around his chest and double check that his bottom is lower than his knees and thighs. You're Done!!!

Hip Carry (6months - 35lbs):

Lift baby into a "burping" position on your shoulder and feed her feet through the sling.	While supporting her weight place the baby on your hip at the same height you would hold her if you were just carrying her that way and spread the fabric up and around her.	While still supporting her weight pull the fabric through the rings to tighten the sling around her. Make sure that baby is fully supported by the sling before you let go of her weight.	Pull the fabric up around her shoulders and double check that the fabric is spread from knee to knee and that her bottom is lower than his knees and thighs.   You're Done!!!

Back Carry (15months - 35 lbs):

Put the sling on as you would for any other carry but rotate the fabric so that the rings are about halfway down your back.	Lift baby into a "burping" position on your shoulder and feed his feet through the sling.	While supporting his weight place the baby on your hip at the same height you would hold him if you were just carrying him that way and spread the fabric up and around him.	Make sure that baby is sitting, not hanging, in the sling, place your arm in front of him, lean forward and spin baby and sling around your body.

While leaning forward and supporting his weight with your arm tighten the fabric around him by pulling the fabric of the sling through the rings.	Make sure that baby is fully supported by the sling before you let go of his weight. Pull the fabric up around his shoulders and double check that the fabric is spread from knee to knee and that his bottom is lower than his knees and thighs. You're Done!!!

There are some general safety and comfort guidelines that apply to all the carries in a ring sling:

Always fully support the weight of your baby with your arms until you know that they are fully supported by the sling.	Ensure that the sling rings are positioned a little below the level of your clavical (collar) bone. If they are too low they may apply pressure to your breast tissue and can cause blocked ducts and mastitis for nursing mothers. If they are too high on your shoulder the hard nylon rings will dig into your shoulder.	In upward and inward facing holds (all except the cradle carry and the kangaroo carry) the baby should always be "sitting" in the sling, never hanging in it. The best way to ensure this is to always make sure that the babies bottom is somewhat lower than his knees and thighs and that the fabric of the sling is spread from knee to knee.	Always make sure that the fabric is as high on the babies back and shoulders as possible to prevent her from flipping out backward from the sling by leaning back.

Tighten the sling so that your baby is carried as high as possible and as close to you as possible. When these two conditions are met the weight of the baby seems less and there is less strain on your neck and back.	Always ensure that the fabric is spread out on your shoulder and that there is no bunching or twisting on any part of the sling. If these two conditions are not met you may end up with a very painful back, neck or shoulder ache.

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