guide to print: pouch

Here is a sequence of pouch positions provided for you that demonstrates how one pouch will work for a baby from infancy to toddlerhood or around 35 pounds. Pouches, the essence of simplicity, pack up small in your diaper bag and are the easiest babywearing tool to use. These pouches are also known as tapered pouches or contoured pouches and are different than most pouches on the market because the fabric is gently curved to remove much of the fabric at the shoulder of the sling....this makes something as simple as the common pouch sling even easier to use. For even better instructions visit us on the web at www.sweetthingsbabyslings.com.

1. Put your sling on, shoulder fabric cupping your shoulder, middle of pocket lined up between your navel and hip. Pick up your child.
2. Get a good grip on your child's legs and back, supporting the neck of very young babies, and hold the child against your shoulder above the sling's pocket. With larger babies, you will be tipping the child over your shoulder, great fun for easily amused toddlers.
3. Place your baby's body in the sling, pull the pocket over the baby's bottom and thread the baby's legs through the sling; with smaller babies, you may keep their legs tucked in the sling, squat position. Active, curious babies are faced outwards(kangaroo-style.) Sleepy, upset, or nursing babies are placed tummy-to-tummy.

Basic Rules for All Positions:
*The sling must cup the baby's butt and support as much of the baby's body as possible.
*The baby's head must be higher than the baby's butt and the baby must be able to breathe well.
*The sling must be under tension.
*The babywearer must feel like the sling makes the baby feel lighter to hold or carry and that the sling is comfortable.
*The pouch seam is always lined up with the baby's bottom.

1. Put your sling on, shoulder fabric cupping your shoulder, middle of pocket lined up between your navel and hip. Pick up your child.
2. Get a good but gentle grip on your child's legs & back, supporting the neck of very young babies, and hold the child against your shoulder above the sling's pocket.
3. Place your baby's body in the pocket of the sling, bottom first, so that the baby is resting on his or her back, pulling the fabric around the baby so that the pocket encloses the baby's body. The baby's head will be towards your shoulder and must be higher than the baby's bottom. Place a folded receiving blanket or towel under the baby's neck for extra support if needed.
4. Hold the sling and baby with one arm and scoot the baby and sling so that the baby's bottom rests between your navel and hip. The baby's bottom must be firmly seated in the sling and there should be enough fabric between you and the baby that the sling "cups" the baby. If a pouch sling feels too loose, try giving the shoulder fabric a twist. If this doesn't tighten it up sufficiently, then the sling is too large and not safe. The baby should breathe clearly and smoothly, with no sign of obstruction to the airways.

4. Hold the sling and baby with one arm and scoot the baby and sling over your navel. The baby'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 or she tips away from your body a bit. If a pouch sling feels too loose, try giving the shoulder fabric a twist. If this doesn't tighten it up sufficiently, then the sling is too large and not safe.

For the hip carry, begin with the pouch positioned with the seam on your hip. Pop baby into position so that the sling covers as much of the baby's torso as possible and the knees are raised slightly above the baby's rump. For the the back carry, position for a hip carry and then scoot toddler/sling to the center of your back. Check in a mirror or ask for help to make sure the toddler is securely seated in the sling.