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| SAFETY FIRST: Keeping your baby safe is your responsibility, by reading and using these instructions you are agreeing to this. We are not responsible for any accidents or injuries caused when using our product. I will provide you with some pictures and suggestions for ways you can wear your Pouch. I have tried all of these out with my own children, and am comfortable in saying they can be done safely. However, it is your responsibility to use them with caution and to take extra precautions to ensure that your children are safe when putting them in and wearing them in any baby carrier. ALWAYS check the seams of your carriers before use. (Pouches, pay special attention to the curved seam) If any rips or tears are visible, or the fabric seems compromised in any way, DO NOT USE. DO NOT wear your baby while cooking. DO NOT wear your baby and drink a hot liquid. DO NOT wear your baby in a moving car. These carriers are not car seats! Use caution going through crowds, doorways, etc. A baby in a carrier is like an extension of your body, just as he was when you were pregnant. Remember to account for their little extremities as you move about the house. Don’t forget, babies like to grab anything within reach, and they often will. Generally speaking, just use your common sense. These instruction photos were taken using weighted demonstration dolls, used in my Babywearing 101 class. These babies are weighted just like the real thing, so they are not simple dolls being used to show the carriers. These babies are more cooperative over 2 hours of manhandling, so they make for perfect models. |
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We have recently made video instructions as well! They are 10 minutes long each, and cover just about everything you need to know! If these videos are not working for you, see our page on youtube.com
Part 1 covers tips and tricks, and basics if you are new to the pouch. How to fold, put on, and make sure it is the right size. Part 2 covers Tummy to Tummy with a small baby, Cradle Carry, Side Kangaroo, and Kangaroo carrying. Part 3 covers Tummy to Tummy with an older child (legs out), Hip Carrying, the shoulder flip, and Back Carrying. |
| General Tips |
 
To fold, tuck one side into the other, making sure the edges are even.   
To put on, find the curved seam, and slip the carrier on like a sash. The seam should be located out front for any front carry position. For hip and back carrying, it should be closer to nipple area. Be sure open side is UP! Try wearing carrier on both shoulders, and see what feels best to you. Personally, I use one shoulder for front carries, and the other for hip carries.  
Be sure the center of the sling's width sits on the ball of your shoulder, and the back of the carrier is spread wide across your back. This is easiest to fix before beginning to put baby in.   
For any carry position where baby's legs will be out the bottom, you will want to flip your padded carrier so padding is on the inside edge. Take the curve and turn it inside out, smooth the rest, and check to be sure padding is in the correct area.  
When baby is in the carrier, this padding should be under the bend of the knee. If properly positioned, baby's bottom will be at the same level as, or lower than, the level of the knees. 
When settled in the sling, the seam should be located where the bulk of baby is. Outer rail should be up high on baby, to armpit level or above, for security.   
*Shoulder Flip: If baby seems to be leaning away, when in the hip or tummy to tummy carries, try this! Grab the outer layer of fabric, pull it up and out, so it cups your shoulder. This will shorten the outer rail of the pouch, and bring baby closer to you. |
Newborn/ Nursing Carry
Start with the seam at midline. Set baby's bottom along the seam, and lay baby's head toward the crook of your arm. (AWAY from shoulder using sling) This hold is great for breastfeeding, and for newborns with little head control. Baby is not so “lost” in the carrier, with this position. Adjust shirt as needed first, then pull down the inside layer of the sling. The outer layer can be used for privacy if you wish. Smaller moms seem to prefer having baby nurse in the cradle carry. As a more topheavy mom, I found it’s easier and more comfortable for baby if I have him in the nursing hold or football carry. Try nursing both ways, and see what feels better to you. |
Cradle Carry
  
Start with seam at midline. Lift inner rail high on your chest, lift baby up, in cradle position, on your chest. Bottom in first, then back, stretching the fabric around baby's body. Bounce down in. Baby's head should be resting on the breast, not laying deep within the carrier. You should *ALWAYS* be able to fit 1-2 knuckles between baby's chin and chest while laying down.  
To get baby out, lift baby up and peel fabric away. Lifting baby will give you the slack in the fabric that you need to easily remove baby. |
Football Carry
 
This works for very small babies, and for nursing, mostly. Start with the sling seam off to your side, and put both legs on the side of you, towards your back. OR, position baby in a cradle carry, and simply move the sling off to the side. Baby's head will be resting at or around breast level, which makes this a good carry for nursing. |
Tummy to Tummy Carry
 
Hold baby on your shoulder, with the inner rail nice and high. Open sling and lower/bounce baby in, guiding feet straight down into the pouch. Smaller babies usually prefer to have legs inside, frog-legged.  
If you use this carry before baby has good head control, just position baby’s head so he is facing out, and ease the shoulder of the carrier around his head, as shown.   
For an older child, you will want to turn so padding is inside, as baby's legs will be out. Toss baby on your shoulder, reach up through the bottom of the sling, and get baby's legs spread wide. Open sling up, being sure to keep inner rail at knees, BEFORE you lower baby into the sling. Once inner rail is positioned, bounce baby down inside.  
To get older baby out, lift baby up onto your shoulder, still in the carrier. Open, lifting carrier from the knees up over the baby's head. |
  
Start with the seam at midline. Lift inner rail high on chest, open sling and lower baby, bottom first, helping legs cross if needed. You can pull the front edge of the fabric around baby, so just the head and an arm are out, or so both arms are out. Be sure the front edge of the sling is at least at armpit level. This carry should only be used after baby has good head control. 
To get baby out, lift from the bottom, once again, and then lift baby out. |
 
I prefer this to the traditional kangaroo carry, and used it often until my son was 10-ish months old. Start off as though using the typical cradle carry, but allow baby to sit up. Both arms out of the edge, head may be leaning back on the fabric by your shoulder. It’s great, as when he falls asleep, I just open the edge and let him lay back, and he is in a snug, warm cradle carry again. |
Hip Carry
Start with seam around nipple level, padding inside. Toss baby onto your shoulder, and reach up from the bottom with the other hand, to grab baby's feet. Using that hand, guide baby's feet inside, to the knees, opening wide there BEFORE lowering baby in. Position the padding under the knees, making sure legs are spread enough to straddle the hip, then bounce baby down in. The upper rail should be high on baby's back, up to armpit level, at least. If baby is leaning away, try using the shoulder flip* to pull baby close to you. This is best used after baby can sit up with a little help. Get baby out by lifting from the bottom, and bringing bottom rail up over baby's head, as shown with older baby in tummy to tummy position, above. |
Back Carry
 
Settle baby into a hip carry, and pull the outer layer up HIGH on baby's back: at least to armpit level. Once you are certain baby is secure, raise your arm up over baby's head so both arms are free and in front. Baby will be just behind your arm. Grab the fabric up at your shoulder, and with your other hand just in front of baby's body, swing the whole sling around, until baby is resting on the back edge of your hip, or on your back, whichever feels most comfortable to you. This is best used after baby can sit up with a little help. |
