Tuesday, May 12, 2009

How to Wear the Sling (and how to take it off)

Unroll the sling. You will notice only one seam which is curved. (When the Sling is rolled up, it fits great in a diaper bag or purse)

Fold the sling inside of itself lengthwise. It will now only be about twelve inches wide. The padded handle should be on the exterior of the sling. The fabric you want to show should be on the outside. (Once you get this down, you will be able to reverse it to the other side with no problem).

Place the sling on your body like a beauty pageant banner. Place the sling over your head and onto your left shoulder. Pull your right arm up through the sling so that the sling lays across your body diagonally. The fold will be near your navel, the open seam will be up and will be where you place the baby.

For your comfort, make sure the fabric is flat across your back before putting your baby in the sling.

The curved seam that you took notice of in step one should align with your right hip. The sling will seem like it's wide on your left shoulder. Once you have the baby in the sling, you can bunch it, or give it an 'off the shoulder' look by pulling the top layer off of your shoulder.

Place the baby in the sling with the baby's head lined up with your left breast. This should feel snug. Using the handle, lift it in an up position, this, along with gravity allows the baby's weight to nicely fall in to the sling in a comfortable position. Take note that the curved side seam is very near your hip or you might feel like the sling is 'twisted'.

The baby's bum should sit at about your navel and the head in a position that looks almost like the baby could breastfeed there.

The sling should enfold the baby on both sides. That means that there should be fabric in between your body and the baby. If the baby feels too low, like it may fall out, then the sling is too big, or is on incorrectly. Please contact me if this is the case. (http://www.bugaroobaby@gmail.com/) Once your baby is positioned, adjust the sling tension by folding fabric over your shoulder.

How to take the sling off:

While still wearing the sling, hold the baby with your left arm. This will support the baby while you release the tension which has been holding the baby. Using your right arm, reach over your right shoulder behind your back (like you're giving yourself a pat on the back). Grab the material of the sling on your back. Once you have a good grip on the sling with your right hand, slowly pull it over your head towards the front of your body. All the while, you are holding the baby with your left arm. Once the sling is off, your baby will still be in the sling. You can lay them down and then take them out, or use your right hand to scoop them out.

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