Cradle
Hold, Newborn to 6 months: There are a
couple of variations - it is the best position for
breastfeeding) Whenever you place your newborn in
the Sling-O-Mama support baby's head until the
sling has been tightened enough to provide support.
It is best for newborns to lie down in the sling
until they are able to hold up their head. You can
place baby's head in either side of the sling. This
is an excellent position for nursing baby. When you
nurse you can completely cover yourself with the
tail of the sling by pulling it up and draping it
over your shoulder. For the cradle hold pull one
side of the sling up against your chest to create a
deep, secure pouch. Open the pouch with one hand
and set baby in, with head on either side, while
supporting baby's head and weight. While still
supporting baby, tighten the sling by pulling the
tail. Pull the outside of the tail, just below the
rings to tighten the inner rail of the pouch, and
the inside of the tail for the outer rail of the
pouch. Make sure the sling has been tightened
enough to support baby sufficiently and keep baby
secure. Newborns may seem as though they are
squished in the sling - most of them love it and
are perfectly comfortable - they'll tell you if
they are not. If you feel like baby is too deep in
the sling you can make the pouch shallower by
pulling more of the fabric up against your chest,
or by putting a small blanket or pillow in before
setting baby in. You can also angle baby's body so
that baby's head is higher and can see out.
Snuggle Hold, Newborn to 6 months:Some newborns are happier in a vertical position. Place your baby carefully in the sling in a vertical position with baby's chest to yours. You can carry your baby in this position, before your baby has head control if you pull the sling up over baby's head, then tighten it enough to support baby's head, then tighten the bottom of the sling that goes under baby's bottom to the bend in baby's knees. It is also a good burping position. When baby has head control you can just pull the sling up over baby's shoulders and tighten it enough to hold baby snug to your chest. baby. Baby will sit in the hammock cross-legged.
Kangaroo Carry, 3 to 6 months to 1 year: This position is for babies who have head control. For this position hold the pouch open as if you were going to put baby in lying down, but instead cross baby's legs, and place baby in the sling in a sitting position facing out. While supporting baby's weight tighten the sling by pulling the tail. You will probably also want to tighten the outside rail of the pouch, to keep baby secure, by pulling the inside edge of the tail just below the rings.
Hip Straddle, 6 months to 35 lbs.: (and Safety Hip Carry Variation) This position can be used as soon as your baby can sit up. This is a great position for heavier toddlers because your hip supports the majority of baby's weight. Put your child in the sling, resting baby on your hip with baby's legs coming out the bottom of the sling and straddling you. The top of the sling should either come up to baby's shoulders or just below baby's arms and the bottom should cover baby's bottom and extend to the bend in baby's knees. Tighten the sling until baby is secure. For the Safety Hip Carry Variation just slide baby and sling around just enough so that baby's upper body is slightly behind yours. This carry is good when you are doing something that you want to keep baby's hands from getting into.
Back Carry 12 months to 35 lbs: The back carry position is for older babies. Put the sling on with the rings slightly behind your shoulder. Put your baby in the sling in the hip carry position with babies arms covered. Then carefully slide your baby around to your back. Until you are used to this position you should always have a second person check to ensure that your baby is secure. Remember that baby is not tied or strapped into the sling. This carrying position should only be used with a cooperative child.
Snuggle Hold, Newborn to 6 months:Some newborns are happier in a vertical position. Place your baby carefully in the sling in a vertical position with baby's chest to yours. You can carry your baby in this position, before your baby has head control if you pull the sling up over baby's head, then tighten it enough to support baby's head, then tighten the bottom of the sling that goes under baby's bottom to the bend in baby's knees. It is also a good burping position. When baby has head control you can just pull the sling up over baby's shoulders and tighten it enough to hold baby snug to your chest. baby. Baby will sit in the hammock cross-legged.
Kangaroo Carry, 3 to 6 months to 1 year: This position is for babies who have head control. For this position hold the pouch open as if you were going to put baby in lying down, but instead cross baby's legs, and place baby in the sling in a sitting position facing out. While supporting baby's weight tighten the sling by pulling the tail. You will probably also want to tighten the outside rail of the pouch, to keep baby secure, by pulling the inside edge of the tail just below the rings.
Hip Straddle, 6 months to 35 lbs.: (and Safety Hip Carry Variation) This position can be used as soon as your baby can sit up. This is a great position for heavier toddlers because your hip supports the majority of baby's weight. Put your child in the sling, resting baby on your hip with baby's legs coming out the bottom of the sling and straddling you. The top of the sling should either come up to baby's shoulders or just below baby's arms and the bottom should cover baby's bottom and extend to the bend in baby's knees. Tighten the sling until baby is secure. For the Safety Hip Carry Variation just slide baby and sling around just enough so that baby's upper body is slightly behind yours. This carry is good when you are doing something that you want to keep baby's hands from getting into.
Back Carry 12 months to 35 lbs: The back carry position is for older babies. Put the sling on with the rings slightly behind your shoulder. Put your baby in the sling in the hip carry position with babies arms covered. Then carefully slide your baby around to your back. Until you are used to this position you should always have a second person check to ensure that your baby is secure. Remember that baby is not tied or strapped into the sling. This carrying position should only be used with a cooperative child.