Sling Instructions

Sling Instructions / FAQ

HOW TO PUT THE SLING ON
	1. Fold the sling in half along the seam.
	2. Put the 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 sling is flat across your back before putting your child in. This ensures comfort.

CRADLE CARRY (for babies newborn 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.

Want more tips and tricks for wearing your sling including nursing while wearing your baby? Check out our LUCKY BABY BLOG.

Breastfeeding in the Sling

* Put your child in the sling cradle style (see instructions above). Then pull up on the side of the sling that is away from your body while sliding down the side of the sling that is next to your body. Then latch the baby on! It's really easy if you have a v-neck shirt on and a criss-cross nursing bra that you can just pull down over your breast for easy access. Older children can be put in the belly to belly position for nursing ease.

* The sling doubles as a nursing cover! Open the sling up completely so it's a large tube. Then put one end over your shoulder and slide the baby in underneath and nurse. This covers your chest and side wonderfully just like a nursing cover!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Q: Are Lucky Baby Slings adjustable? A: These tube shaped pouch slings are not adjustable and the great thing is that they don't need to be! No more fiddling with buckles, rings, snaps or clasps. The sling is sized to fit you and it is the easiest way to go. Q: Do Lucky Baby Slings come with padding? A: Here's the thing, slings have been used for thousands of years without padding. Because the weight of the baby sitting up or even lying down is in the bum, the padding is really not necessary. Not only that, but one of the great things about pouch slings is how compact they are. The padding adds extra bulk. So why pay more for a sling with padding? Try one of our reversible un-padded slings at our great prices - and we guarantee you'll love it! Q: Do any Lucky Baby Slings have stretch to them? A: We carry slings with and without stretch. Both work well and are comfortable and breathable. Q: Do I need to buy a different sized sling when my child gets bigger? A: Wow, this is one of the great things about pouch slings. You only need one! Birth to 35 lbs. you use the same sling. As your child gets bigger and sits in the upright position in the sling, they take up less room. You only need one - but you'll want one to match every outfit. Q: My card was declined but my bank card shows a debit - why? A: If you receive an "order declined" message, your credit card or debit card will not be debited, however your bank may have set funds aside during the authorization request. Banks will release an authorization between 3 and 7 business days and they set their own policies.

Wear and Care Slings are as easy to take care of as they are to use. Machine wash or hand wash in cold water with like colors and line dry overnight. Drying the sling on medium heat will cause it to shrink approximately 1" total depending on the fabric and is the easiest way to go.

� 2005 Lucky-Baby