So, you're considering purchasing a Lucky Baby sling and want to learn how to put your little one in it comfortably? Here are the step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos to make it easy for you. Remember: babywearing takes practice. Try new positions when your little one is happy and you are sitting down. Let's go!

How to put the sling on
Cradle Carry
Kangaroo Carry
Belly to Belly Carry
Hip Carry
Back Carry
Half Shoulder Flip
Breastfeeding in the Sling

NOTE: You can click on any of the photos below to view a larger, more detailed version of the image.

HOW TO PUT THE SLING ON
	1. Fold the sling in half along the seam.
	2. Put the sling on like a sash across your torso with the seam in the middle of your body.
	3. Here is the opening for your child.
	4. Make sure the sling is flat across your back before putting your child in. This ensures comfort.
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CRADLE CARRY (for babies newborn to 10 months)
	1. With the seam of the sling in the center of your body open the pouch.
	2. While cradling your baby's head and body slide the baby in, bottom first. The seam should always be up your baby's bottom or along their back as this is the strongest part of the sling.
	3. Slide the feet in gently and then the head.
	4. Pull the outside of the pouch up enclosing the baby.
	5. To further adjust your child in the sling, slide one hand up on the inside (closest to your body) while pulling the outside of the sling up with your other hand.
	6. To pull your child in closer to you fold the top layer of fabric over your shoulder (called the half shoulder flip).
	7. Older babies can also be carried in the cradle carry position with their head and arms out of the sling (the baby seen here is 8 months, 22 pounds and the length of a 1- year-old).
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KANGAROO CARRY (for babies with good head control to 10+ months)
	1. Start with the seam at the center of your body and open the pouch up with the side closest to your body up higher than the outside of the sling.
	2. With your baby facing away from you slide their bottom in first in the sitting position.
	3. Tuck their feet in and cross them Indian style if they are younger or slide them to the side if they are bigger and longer.
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BELLY TO BELLY CARRY (for babies with good head control to 35 pounds)
	1. With the seam of the sling at the center of your body open up the pouch and pull the outside of the sling up higher than the inside.
	2. With your baby facing you slide them down into the sling making sure that their feet are not caught in the sling.
	3. Pull the outside of the sling up making sure that their bottoms are well supported in the pouch. If they are sleepy you can pull the sling up over their heads (for younger babies) or shoulders as seen here.
	4. Older children may prefer to have their arms out of the sling in this position.
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HIP CARRY (for babies with good head control to 35 pounds)
	1. With the seam of the sling at the center of your body open up the pouch and pull the outside of the sling up higher than the inside.
	2. With your baby facing you slide them down into the sling making sure that their feet are not caught in the sling.
	3. Pull the outside of the sling up making sure that their bottoms are well supported in the pouch.
	4. Slide the baby over to your hip. Older babies may prefer to have their arms out.
	5. You can pull the sling up over their shoulders if they are grabby and put a toy in there for them to play with.
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BACK CARRY (18 months and up) WARNING: Wait until your child is at least 18 months old before using the back carry position as a smaller child could lean over and fall out!
	1. Start with your child in the hip carry position.
	2. Flip your arm over so it is in front of your child and gently slide them onto your back.
	3. Children can put their arms in the sling or out.
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HALF SHOULDER FLIP (use this technique to pull your baby in closer)
	1. Fold back the top layer of fabric at your shoulder. This technique can be used with any of the sling carrying positions.
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BREASTFEEDING IN THE SLING
Breastfeeding in your sling is easy and there are many different ways to use the sling as a nursing cover. Here's the easiest:

Put your child in the sling cradle style (see instructions above).  Then pull up on the side of the sling that is away from your body while sliding down the side of the sling that is next to your body.  Then latch the baby on!  It's really easy if you have a v-neck shirt on and a criss-cross nursing bra that you can just pull down over your breast for easy access.  Older children can be put in the belly to belly position for nursing ease.

You can also open up the tube of the sling, slip it on and then slide your child in underneath to use the sling as a nursing cover.  This way of doing it covers your side and chest completely.

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