BUDDHA CARRY—4 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR

The Kangaroo/Buddha position is a favourite for babies at the peak of squirminess (think 9 month old crawlers) because a baby facing outwards is a baby enthralled with the world.
Hold the pouch open as if you were going to put baby in lying down, but instead cross baby’s legs in front of his body and place baby in a sitting position facing out.
Take care that baby is in a pocket with the inner edge of the sling between your tummy and his back.

While supporting baby’s weight, tighten the sling by pulling the tail.

You may want to tighten the outer rail to keep baby secure. Do this by pulling the edge of the tail on the inner side, just below the rings.

HIP CARRY—6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS

This will quickly become your favourite position for an older baby, it can be used as soon as your baby can sit up. It mimics the natural carrying position yet alleviates strain on your arms.
An older child can also breastfeed in this position.

This position is the one you will use if you have an Out and About sling (see photo of O&A Sling below)

Begin by holding baby over the opposite shoulder to the rings. Place your baby’s body in the sling, pull the sling body fabric over the baby’s bottom as you thread his legs through the sling.

Hold the sling body and baby with one arm, get a good grip on your rings, and scoot the baby and sling so that the baby rests just above and over your hip. Use the baby’s bottom as a handle (not his shoulders)

The child’s bottom must be firmly seated in the sling and there should be enough fabric on the baby’s back to hold the child in place if he tips away from your body a bit.
The baby’s knees must be higher than her rump, fabric spread as close to her armpits and knees as possible.

Your child’s legs will straddle the side of your body. Generally, the heavier the baby, the higher above the hip bone she rests.

Washing your Mighty Mama Sling…
Hand wash in cool water and hang to dry. Don’t tumble dry your sling. Will soften and grow more comfy with each wash!

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to exercise caution when wearing your sling and to inspect it from time to time for wear and tear. Mighty Mama will not be held liable for any injury resulting from the use of a Mighty Mama sling.

How to wear your sling and grow to love it !

Using the Mighty Mama sling is very easy but it does require a little practice and patience at first. Just like breastfeeding, once you get the hang of it using your sling will become second nature!

Putting on your sling..

You can wear your MM Sling on either shoulder so first decide which side you prefer. Wear your rings in the corsage position in the hollow under the front of your shoulder. Make sure the shoulder pad is flat and the sling cups your shoulder.

It is important for your comfort that you have the sling spread across your shoulder and wide across your back. This way your weight is distributed evenly and the sling won’t dig into your neck.

You can adjust your MM sling by pulling the tail through the rings; the longer the tail is the smaller the pouch will be and vice versa…

If your baby doesn’t seem to have enough back support from the railings and needs quick adjusting, try pulling the shoulder pad so it sits on the cap of your shoulder. This will automatically pull baby closer and make him sit more comfortably.

To take your sling off, pull the top ring up and away from your body, thereby loosening the sling enough to get baby out whilst maintaining your customised fit.

CRADLE HOLD — NEWBORN to 5 MONTHS

We strongly recommend using a folded multi mat under baby’s head, neck and shoulders for the first 5-6 weeks. This will bring baby up in the sling, support him, and help him not get lost in the deep pocket!

When you place your newborn in the sling, support the baby’s head until the sling has been tightened enough to provide sufficient support.

Begin by pulling up the inner side of the sling against your chest to create a deep, secure pouch.

Open the pouch with one hand while holding baby in the other arm.

Cradle baby in your arms with baby’s head near the sling’s rings and slide her into the pouch gently, making sure the head rests just below the rings. Body should be resting towards the outside edge of the sling.

Adjust rails so inside rail is high and outside rail is high and tight, not slack.
You can do this by pulling the outside of the tail, just below the rings to tighten the inner edge or rail of pouch, and pull the inside of the tail to tighten the outer edge or rail. It may be a bit stiff at first to get the batting through the rings but with regular use and a wash, that will go smoothly
Pull your baby up as close as is comfortable.

Very young babies can look a bit squished in a sling—generally though, babies love this closeness and security. Combined with your movement, the correctly tightened sling creates a womb like environment for baby.

In any of the baby wearing positions, your baby should rest just where he/she would be if you were holding him/her in your arms. This is best accomplished by tightening up the sling as snugly as is comfortable as soon as the baby is positioned within it.


NURSING YOUR BABY IN THE SLING

Like riding a bicycle, breastfeeding in the sling can be challenging at first, but it will soon become second nature. Being able to walk around while meeting baby’s need to nurse gives a new mom tremendous freedom.

When first learning to breastfeed in the sling, it can be helpful to start out in a seated position. Put the sling on and loosen it, slide the baby in the loosened sling and latch baby on. Gently tighten the sling to support her back and head and adjust the railings so they sit snugly around her body. Adjust the sling — baby’s bottom should be about level with your waist.

Baby can have her head on either side of the sling, nestled in under the rings or cuddled in on the open side of the sling.

When baby’s head faces away from rings (see photo) her body should lie across the width of the sling, with her head near the outer rail and feet near you. This allows the baby's body to stretch out more, keeps the outer rail from flopping over the baby's face, and makes it easier to tighten the sling properly without completely altering the baby's position.

With the baby nursing in the snug sling, you can get up and walk around!

If you your baby falls asleep in the sling and you would like to put him down, it is best to do so by keeping baby in the sling and lying him on the bed by leaning over the bed yourself.

Then gently back out of the sling and bring it over your head as soon as the baby is positioned within it.


TUMMY TO TUMMY—NEWBORN TO 6 MONTHS

Some babies prefer to be held upright rather than lying down, this is especially true of colicky or reflux babies.

This is also a great position for visual contact with your baby and promotes a strong bond!

Begin by holding baby over your shoulder as if you were going to burp him. Slide baby down and open the sling with your other hand forming a pouch. While supporting baby’s weight tighten the sling by pulling on the tail.

Make sure the lower edge of the sling is behind baby’s knees. Tighten top and bottom rails, making sure bottom rail is well under the baby for safety.

Tighten fabric across baby’s back. For a younger baby, pull it right up behind her shoulders and neck and tuck her arms inside the sling too.

Position top rail behind baby’s neck and head for support and tighten side rail. Baby’s head should rest sideways on your chest. (Your heartbeat will be soothing and calming.)




For more information on wearing your baby correctly, please visit www.thebabywearer.com