1.Cradle Hold - Newborn to 6 months

(There are a couple of variations - it is the best position for breastfeeding)
Whenever you place your newborn in the Rockin' Baby Sling support baby's head until the sling has been tightened enough to provide support. It is best for newborns to lie down in the sling until they are able to hold up their head. You can place baby's head in either side of the sling. This is an excellent position for nursing baby. When you nurse you can completely cover yourself with the tail of the sling by pulling it up and draping it over your shoulder. For the cradle hold pull one side of the sling up against your chest to create a deep, secure pouch. Open the pouch with one hand and set baby in, with head on either side, while supporting baby's head and weight. While still supporting baby, tighten the sling by pulling the tail. Pull the outside of the tail, just below the rings to tighten the inner rail of the pouch, and the inside of the tail for the outer rail of the pouch. Make sure the sling has been tightened enough to support baby sufficiently and keep baby secure. Newborns may seem as though they are squished in the sling - most of them love it and are perfectly comfortable - they'll tell you if they are not. If you feel like baby is too deep in the sling you can make the pouch shallower by pulling more of the fabric up against your chest, or by putting a small blanket or pillow in before setting baby in. You can also angle baby's body so that baby's head is higher and can see out a bit.

2.Snuggle Hold - Newborn to 6 months

Some newborns are happier in a vertical position. Place your baby carefully in the sling in a vertical position with baby's chest to yours. You can carry your baby in this position, before your baby has head control if you pull the sling up over baby's head, then tighten it enough to support baby's head, then tighten the bottom of the sling that goes under baby's bottom to the bend in baby's knees. It is also a good burping position. When baby has head control you can just pull the sling up over baby's shoulders and tighten it enough to hold baby snug to your chest.

3. Kangaroo Carry - 3 to 6 months to 1 year
(and Side Saddle Variation)

This position is for babies who have head control. For this position hold the pouch open as if you were going to put baby in lying down, but instead cross baby's legs, and place baby in the sling in a sitting position facing out. While supporting baby's weight tighten the sling by pulling the tail. You will probably also want to tighten the outside rail of the pouch, to keep baby secure, by pulling the inside edge of the tail just below the rings.

The SideSaddle Variation works well when baby outgrows the Kangaroo Carry. You simply place baby in the sling facing sideways with baby's legs coming out of the bottom of the sling. Just make sure to tighten the sling securely around baby's legs and bottom, and either around baby's shoulder or under baby's arms.

4. Hip Carry- 6 months to 35 lbs.

This position can be used as soon as your baby can sit up. This is a great position for heavier toddlers because your hip supports the majority of baby's weight. Put your child in the sling, resting baby on your hip with baby's legs coming out the bottom of the sling and straddling you. The top of the sling should either come up to baby's shoulders or just below baby's arms and the bottom should cover baby's bottom and extend to the bend in baby's knees. Tighten the sling until baby is secure. For the Safety Hip Carry Variation just slide baby and sling around just enough so that baby's upper body is slightly behind yours. This carry is good when you are doing something that you want to keep baby's hands from getting into.

5. Back Carry - 12 months to 35 lbs.

The back carry position is for older babies. Put the sling on with the rings slightly behind your shoulder. Put your baby in the sling in the hip carry position with babies arms covered. Then carefully slide your baby around to your back. Until you are used to this position you should always have a second person check to ensure that your baby is secure. Remember that baby is not tied or strapped into the sling. This carrying position should only be used with a cooperative child.