Please remember that, while your pouch seems easy to use, learning to use a baby sling will take time and practice.
Persistence is key to learning to place your baby comfortably inside your pouch carrier.
It is best if your child is fed and rested before you begin.
**Make sure that the bottom rail of the pouch is always between you and baby for all carries**

The instructions below show the pouch being worn on the "RIGHT" shoulder.
If you will be wearing the pouch on your "LEFT" shoulder, switch the "lefts" and "rights" in the following directions.

**Please click on the thumbnail to enlarge a picture**


Hold the pouch with your right hand, and slide it over your head onto your right shoulder.
The open edges should be near your neck, the seam line near your hip.
 Then open the pocket


This is a comfortable and snug position, great for newborns and for breastfeeding.
 Older children don't like this position unless feeding.
Hold your baby at your chest in a burp position with your left arm, and open the pouch with your right hand.
Place your baby in the pouch; bottom first so that your baby's bottom rests above the seam line.
Lay your baby's head down into the pouch high on your chest on the left side of your body.



Great for babies, who wants to peek out to the world, and for children that have reflux or gas.
Legs are crossed "Indian way".
Center the seam-line across your front.
Have the bottom layer of the pouch against your chest, close to your breasts.
Spread open the pouch to create a seat area.
Turn your baby so that his back is against your chest.
Cross his legs and lift his knees while sliding him down into the pocket.




It's a great position for calming reflux and burping your baby.
Promotes closeness and visual contact.
You can pull up the fabric to hold the head for a young baby.
The seam of the pouch is centered closer to the front of your tummy.
Hold your baby on your shoulder as if you were going to burp him.
Spread apart the two layers of fabric to open the pouch to create a seat area.
Slide down your baby into the pouch, feet first.
** For an older child you will put baby against your chest in a burp position, and then you will slide the child's legs all the way through **



You will then grasp the bottom rail of the pouch, and seat the child's bottom in the pouch near the seam; the bottom rail of the pouch will be between you and your child.
The child's hips will be lower than his knees.


This position is great for babies with head control.
You will use it a lot with you older babies.
With the seam line over your right hip and the baby straight up and down, slide his legs down through the two layers of fabric.
Spread open the pouch to create a seat area.
His right leg should be in front of you while his left leg will be behind you.
This position mimics arm's natural position to hold a baby, supporting the weight with your shoulder, back and hips.





If baby falls asleep you can easily bring his/her legs over your front and switch to a modified cradle position.
This also works great for breastfeeding.


You can breastfeed easily and discreetly with your pouch in cradle position (or hip carry modified position).
Once your baby latches you can start moving and breastfeed hands free.



The back carry is wonderful to keep your hands and the front of your body free (washing the dishes, or tending an older sibling are good examples).
Must always be used with a cooperative child, who has good head control.
Put your baby in the hip carry position,
Bend slightly towards the front and hold the top of the pouch with the arm of the shoulder that it is on (in this case the right hand), slide the baby to your back, moving the baby with your left hand, and helping with your right.
**Ask another adult to check (or look in a mirror) that your baby is well placed and that the lower rail is pulled all the way from knees (and under his bottom) to shoulders.
Please be especially careful in this position**

 


To get the baby's upper body closer, fold the top layer of the shoulder part over from your neck towards your arm.

 


Move them back into a burp position, and then lift them high to your shoulder while pulling the pouch down.
Directions and instructional pictures provided courtesy of Diane Pepin.

Diane Pepin ~Mother's Helper, baby slings and more~ www.mothers-helper.ca
If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

Ayesha Ghatala ~Comfy Joey Baby Carriers~ www.ComfyJoey.com


www.NineInNineOut.org ~ A volunteer-run nonprofit organization that exists to promote babywearing.

www.TheBabyWearer.com ~ A busy forum, 10,000 members strong, dedicated to babywearing.