Troubleshooting

When having trouble, don’t give up!
Learning how to use your sling is well worth the time and effort.

Watch our how-to videos.
Practice in front of a mirror.
Choose a time to practice when your baby is happy and well rested.
Give older babies a toy or something interesting to hold while you put them in and out of the sling.
Sometimes you have to totally start over. Even sling pros have to do this from time to time. Take your baby out and go back to the beginning.
Before you start over, keep an arm on your baby while loosening the fabric and working it around to bring rings back to the top of your shoulder. Then reposition and retighten.
Connect with other baby wearers. Many times a friendly, one on one sling lesson is the best way to learn. La Leche League is a great place to find baby wearing moms. Don't be shy of approaching sling wearers when you are out and about. Most baby wearers are passionate advocates and will be happy to give quick advice about your sling.
Contact us with any questions as well. We often give sling lessons over the phone. We enjoy talking about and finding solutions to unusual sling issues and problems you may be having. Your feedback only makes our product better. Let us know how we can help you to better use your sling.

You are not hands free, the child moves too much, wiggles or feels insecure.

If you’re not totally hands free, keep adjusting.
Get it tight to get it right. The sling fabric should be snug around you and your baby.
Use your hands to bring all the excess fabric around to the front of the sling. Gather the fabric around from your back and bring it past the baby to the front near the rings.
Pull the fabric through the rings to tighten and hold the position.

Your baby is fussy when she gets in.

Try bouncing and walking to help her to settle into the position.
Try different positions. Every baby has her favorites.
If nursing, try latching your baby on soon after you finish positioning. If not nursing, try a bottle or pacifier. This will help your baby relax and make a pleasant association with the sling.

Your baby feels like she can lean back too much.

There is loose fabric around the middle or your baby’s bottom is hanging too far down.

The fabric is twisted in the rings.

If the fabric is completely twisted, re-thread the sling.
If the fabric just appears half twisted or not quite right, try grabbing the opposing ends of the tail, taking care to grab the top and bottom accordingly. Pull in opposite directions to fan out the fabric in the rings. This should straighten the tail and allow you to better adjust the sling.

A Tiny baby feels insecurely positioned.

Make sure your baby is high enough on your body. In the tummy to tummy position, your baby should be right in the center of your chest. In a cradle position, your baby should be at about the same level as your navel with her head slightly higher.
Tighten the sling so it fits more snugly around your baby.

You can’t get the sling tight enough or it’s hard to adjust.

Your rings may be too low. Loosen the sling and shift fabric around so that rings start on top of your shoulder and retighten.
A heavy baby may need to be bounced or held up with your arm as you make the final tightening motion. The momentary relief in pressure on the sling will allow you to pull it a little tighter.

The sling hurts your shoulder.

Make sure to fan out the sling fabric across your shoulder.
The sling fabric should be cupping your shoulder, not resting entirely on your neck or grabbing mostly around your upper arm.

General trouble can be caused by your clothing.

Slippery and bulky clothing can make it more difficult to tighten the sling and keep it in place.
Whenever possible, wear your sling over jackets and coats. Wearing your sling under a jacket can interfere with the proper fanning of fabric on your shoulder.

Wearing Instructions