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Postioning your Baby in the SlingEzee and Hava  Baby Slings
Before you try wearing your baby in your HAVA or SlingEZee, keep in mind that babies are great at picking up on anxiety. So, as you’re about to try babywearing, just relax and rest assured that it gets easier and easier as you practice! When beginning to use your sling, it helps to start with a well-rested, just fed baby. Also, it helps to slowly walk around once you slip your baby into the sling, since babies love motion.

Cradle Hold

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The cradle hold is generally used for an infant, a sleeping baby, or for breastfeeding a baby at any age. Your baby can be cradled with their head on the ring side, or opposite the rings. Most find that they prefer to cradle their baby with the head opposite the rings after the first month or two, or while breastfeeding (this provides more room for you to latch baby on). Cradling baby with their head near the rings means that baby's entire body - legs and all - remain in the sling. Baby will outgrow this position quickly! Placing baby with their head opposite the rings allows baby's feet to hang out. As baby grows, the sling will securely wrap around their bottom, and their legs may hang out, knees to feet. This position allows even a breastfeeding toddler to be accommodated safely in the HAVA or SlingEZee.

WARNING:  Positional asphyxia (suffocation) can occur in young babies. Although this has never happened in one of our slings we want to alert you that this can happen when a baby's chin is pressed against his or her chest, restricting airflow. Always check to ensure that baby's airway is unobstructed and baby is breathing regularly at all times, especially when sleeping.

Begin with your HAVA or SlingEZee in the neutral position, with the rings a bit higher than corsage position. Pull all excess fabric from around your back, then create a hammock for your baby by placing the lower rail of your sling against your chest. Let's assume that you're placing baby's head opposite the rings. If the shoulder pad is on your right shoulder, then hold your infant in your right arm. With your left hand, hold the hammock of your HAVA or SlingEZee open and bring your baby up and over the top of the hammock, placing their feet toward your right hip. You may desire to rest your infant’s head inside of the top rail or on the top rail. With baby's body in the hammock and with the lower rail securely between you and your baby, slowly remove your right arm from under your baby and release them into the sling while supporting them with your left arm outside of the sling.

To bring your baby closer or higher, use your left arm to lift your baby. Pull down on the tail with your right hand to tighten the material and bind your baby next to your body. Make sure you continue to have an amount of hammock fabric between your body and your baby, for a secure hold, before letting go with your left hand.

If you have placed your baby's head on the ring side of your HAVA or SlingEZee, then notice that if the rings are in the proper position, they should not touch your baby’s head. If they do, the rings are probably too low or your baby is too big, and would be better accommodated with their head opposite the rings. Also, notice that your baby’s feet rest inside of the sling, and that the position of the sling fabric places your baby in a natural reclining position.

 

Snuggle Hold

The snuggle hold is often a favorite position for infants whenever they are not breastfeeding. The snuggle hold is also great for a baby that needs to be burped. Begin with your HAVA or SlingEZee in the neutral position, with the rings a bit higher than corsage position. With both hands, hold your baby high on your exposed shoulder, opposite the rings. Open the hammock some and slide your baby into your HAVA or SlingEZee vertically, facing you. Their head should rest near your heart. While supporting your baby against your body, pull the top rail of the SlingEZee around them and place it behind their neck. Before placing your baby's weight on the sling, direct all excess fabric around baby's body, toward the rings. While continuing to support your baby’s weight with your arms high on your chest, pull the tail (at the label or below) until your baby is riding at your waist or higher. Now adjust the top rail alone by "bubbling" the top rail (see under Instructions). This ensures that your HAVA or SlingEZee is snug enough, so your baby’s head will be held securely with the top rail supporting it. Make sure to keep some material between you and your baby by pulling the lower rail under your baby. Notice that an infant - feet and all - will be cradled entirely inside the hammock in this carry. As your baby grows, you may want to bring their feet outside of the lower rail for baby's and your comfort. To do this safely, place baby in "froggy" position. This means that their knees are higher than their bottom, and the sling fabric is wrapped securely around their bottom, with the lower rail under their knees. This ensures that there is hammock fabric securely between you and your baby.

 

Kangaroo Carry

Your HAVA or SlingEZee is great for the versatility of wearing positions it offers. Many find that their babies want to see their world, and the kangaroo carry is perfect for that. The kangaroo carry is also helpful for allowing fussy babies to pass gas, as it brings their knees up into their tummies where they are feeling pain.

Beginning with your HAVA or SlingEZee in the neutral position, with the rings a bit higher than corsage position, take the bottom railing and pull it around the front of your body just below your breast. Use your right elbow to hold it in position. Then take the top railing and pull it toward the front to make a hammock. Hold your baby against you, with their back against your chest. Support them in a “chair-like” position and cross their legs. With your free hand, hold the hammock open while you lower your baby’s bottom into the hammock. Take the lower rail and pull all excess fabric from around your back toward the rings, and make certain the material is between your body and your baby’s back. Your baby will sit in the hammock with their legs crossed, tailor style. You’ll continue to support your baby in your HAVA or SlingEZee so they are riding at your waist or higher, pulling on the tail (label or below) to tighten. Next, tighten the top rail alone as needed, by "bubbling" the top rail (see under Instructions).

 

Hip Straddle

Your HAVA or SlingEZee is wonderful for wearing babies well into toddler hood. The hip straddle is a great position for toddlers, as well as babies who are about 6 months old and up. They benefit from seeing the world around them while remaining in their secure place.

Begin with your HAVA or SlingEZee in the neutral position, with the rings a bit higher than corsage position. Pick up your baby or toddler and place their tummy high on your exposed shoulder, opposite the rings. Reach between the sling fabric and your body to grab your child’s feet. Bring both feet through your HAVA or SlingEZee and place your child on your hip. Pull any excess fabric around your child's body, toward the rings. While supporting your child at your waist or higher, pull the tail (label or below) to tighten. The top rail will go behind your child’s shoulders, or can be pulled up to support their head if they fall asleep. Ensure that your child is in "froggy" position. This means that their knees are higher than their bottom, and the sling fabric is wrapped securely around their bottom, with the lower rail under their knees. In this way, hammock fabric is securely between you and your baby. Keep in mind that toddlers will recline away from you if the fabric is too loose behind their back. It is important, for your comfort, tighten the top rail alone as needed, by "bubbling" the top rail (see under "Fundamentals").

You’ll find that toddlers who are used to the sling will automatically tuck their legs up and stick them through the sling. If your toddler is not familiar with the sling, you may have to reach in and take hold of both feet, pulling them through onto your hip. When your toddler is ready to get down and play, the simple way to let them go is to loosen the sling as you squat, allowing your toddler to slide out of the bottom of your HAVA or SlingEZee.

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