Practice using the sling before you put your baby in. Use a doll or a 2-liter soda bottle for the right feel. Get used to putting the Baby Holder on and off and adjusting the length of the sling before you put your infant in it for the first time.

Above all, relax! This is not a test of your parenthood. Babies feel more secure when movement is taking place. As soon as your infant is in the sling, start moving and talking. The more comfortable you are, the happier your baby will be.

If baby looks uncomfortable, don't be afraid to simply lift him into a more natural position. We recommend that you keep your arms under the sling and baby until you feel more secure with it.

1. If the Baby Holder rings are "unbuckled", pass the tail through both rings, then loop over the top ring and pass the tail through the two rings, coming out through the bottom ring until the label is showing (As shown). The sling tail should not be adjusted below this.

2. Grasp the Baby Holder with rings at front and tail hanging down.

3. Pass it over your head and rest the shoulder pad on your shoulder. (Hint: Which shoulder would you like to wear the sling on? Slip the OTHER arm through.) Rings are at the front, positioned approximately where you'd pin a corsage. The tail is hanging down. THE RINGS MUST BE KEPT IN THIS POSITION AT ALL TIMES OR THE BABY HOLDER WILL NOT OPEN PROPERLY. Pull any slack fabric from behind your back. Do not slide the pad off of your shoulder.

The Baby Holder may be worn on either shoulder. To adjust the sling for a smaller parent, lift baby with one hand to "unlock" rings, and pull down on the tail with the opposite hand. To enlarge the sling, lift up on the bottom of the upper ring and pull down on the sack portion with your other hand.

4. The sling should be adjusted to position the baby just where you would hold him in your arms. For example, when your baby is not nursing, he would lie just under your bustline, not down on your tummy. The tail should be far enough through the rings for you to grip securely. If not, order the next larger size sling.

5. To place baby in a horizontal position (to sleep or nurse), loosen the tail to make plenty of room in the sack where the baby lies. Make sure the rings stay high on your chest. Turn the channel of batting that is closest to you up against your tummy. Stretch the sack out evenly in front horizontally by pulling out on both rolls of padding at the same time with both hands. Position baby's head away from the rings. As baby grows, his feet can hang out. Pull material up for discreet nursing or to shield the baby's eyes from sun or cold wind. Smaller babies may rest their heads right on the padded edge if they look lost down on the bottom of the sling.

6. To incline a tiny newborn for better head support, tighten the tail up to make the sack smaller. Turn inner channel of batting up high agains your chest, tucking excess fabric behind your back. Pull sack open straight out in front of you. Lie baby on back with his head toward the rings. (Note: Keeping the batting high on your chest pulls the slack out of the pouch around the baby's head so he can see out and experience the world. You might fold a little blanket or diaper behind his upper body for support.)

7. To sit baby facing forward, tighten tail about halfway, depending on the size of your baby. Turn inner channel of batting up against your tummy, and pull the sack straight out in front of you. Cross your baby's legs tailor-style to sit down in the pouch. Baby's head rests against the center of your chest.

If your baby cries when you first put him in the sling, and he's in properly, you might try again later when you're both in a relaxed mood. In comparison, some babies cry the first time they are put in a bath tub, but learn to love baths as they get used to them.

8. Baby can face tummy to tummy with parent, too. Little infants can put their legs in the sack, while larger babies let their legs dangle out. Position channel of batting closest to your tummy either up against your waist to create a curved bag with baby's legs in, or tuck batting under baby's bottom with legs out. Tighten tail snug.

9. To carry a larger child on your hip, pull sack to your side, straddle baby on hip as usual, and place the inner channel of batting under the child's bottom. One leg will be behind your hip, and the other in front, with both legs hanging out of the sling. Lift baby with one hand while pulling on the tail with the other to tighten the sack so baby is closer to your side. Pull outer channel of batting up as high as you like to support baby behind his back or head. To carry baby on his back, position baby in the hip straddle, then slide sling and baby behind your arm.

10. You can remove the Baby Holder without waking your baby! Simply lie the baby down and back out of the sling, slipping it over your head.