Sizing & Safety

TIGHTS:

  • 0-6 months                     up to 15lbs
  • 6-12 months                   15-23 lbs
  • 12-24 months                 18-28 lbs
  • 2-3 years                          26-32 lbs
  • 3-4 years                          29-35 lbs
  • 4-5 years                          34-43 lbs
  • 6-7 years                          42-57 lbs
  • 8-10 years                        58-75 lbs

SLINGS:

First and Foremost; Important Safety Information:

  1. Please remember that with all babyslings and carriers, your baby is not tied in. Please remember that an uncooperative child could wiggle and work their way out of a sling.

  2. Put an arm around your baby when you squat or bend over.

  3. Do not use your sling during rigorous or possibly dangerous activities such as jogging, cooking etc.

Disclaimer: You alone are ultimately responsible for the welfare and safety of your child. By purchasing this product you acknowledge that the creator/maker accepts no responsibility for any injury or damage resulting from the use or misuse of our products.

Great babywearing resources:

 www.babywearinginternational.com

http://babywearinginternational.org/pages/safety.php

 www.thebabywearer.com

Dittany Baby sells two different types of Carriers. The following is a quick description and explanation of them both and the individual benefits of each one.

Quick Definitions and Summary of Benefits:

Contoured Mei Tai: is essentially a contoured piece of fabric with straps at each corner. Two straps tie around the wearer's waist or buckle like Dittany's Organic MT's. The other two straps go over the wearer's shoulders and are tied together.

Pouch Sling: is essentially a long tube of fabric, folded in half lengthwise to create a pocket/pouch for the baby.

Mei Tai:

  • Still easy to put on but due to its "one size" nature it allows for adjustability for multiple sized wearers
  • Fairly lightweight (10oz) and with Dittany Baby's matching carrying pouch it is also just as easy to take with you anywhere
  • allows for several different carrying positions and slightly more discreet breastfeeding.
  • Can be used for children of many sizes typically 8-10lbs and up

Pouch Sling:

  • Simple and easier to use then many other forms of baby carriers, just grab and go
  • Lightweight and with Dittany Baby's matching carrying pouch it's easy to take with you anywhere
  • Often enjoyed by men for its streamlined look and ease of use
  • Allows for 5 different carrying positions
  • Can be used with children of all sizes from preemies to 35lbs

Mei Tai:

Things to Remember

If is not possible to be near a sofa or soft surface for your first time, we recommend having another person help you till you feel confident. After a little practice, you will get the hang of it and it will be no problem at all for you to do it on your own. It is also helpful to have a mirror nearby to check and see if baby is comfortable and the carrier is worn correctly.

Though we have offered some suggestions, there are many ways to wear the carrier. Feel free to experiment with different ways to tie and adjust it to your liking. Just remember that it was made for you and baby to be comfortable and safe.

Front Techniques

  1. With the front of the carrier against your legs and the arm straps falling towards the floor, clip the carrier around your waist, or slightly above, and adjust the strap till it feels secure.
  2. Pick up baby and hold baby tummy to tummy, baby’s legs around your waist. (For a newborn, fold legs up towards the chest.) Always make sure baby’s bottom is down into the body of the carrier.
  3. Holding baby with one arm, use the other arm to lift up the carrier straps between baby’s legs and over each shoulder. (For a newborn, the legs should be tucked in.) Make sure the straps are always flat and comfortable.
  4. Holding the straps behind you in one hand and supporting the baby in the other, bounce the baby and pull on the straps to adjust the slack. Always make sure baby’s body is snug against yours, with baby’s legs comfortably in place.
  5. Bring each strap over your shoulders and cross them against your back. Then bring them under your arms to tie.
  6. For a newborn, it is very important to tie the straps behind their back for support. For an older baby, tie the straps under baby’s bottom, either over the legs, or underneath.

Front Technique – Baby facing out 

  1. With the front of the carrier against your legs and the arm straps falling towards the floor, clip the carrier around your waist, or slightly above, and adjust the strap till it feels secure.
  2. Pick up baby and position baby’s neck against your chest. For a newborn, fold legs up towards the chest.
  3. Holding baby with one arm, use the other arm to lift up the carrier straps between baby’s legs and over your shoulders. (For a newborn, bring the entire body of the carrier over baby.) Make sure the straps are always flat and comfortable.
  4. Holding the straps behind you in one hand and supporting the baby in the other, bounce the baby and pull on the straps to adjust the slack. Always make sure baby’s body is snug against yours, with baby’s legs comfortably in place.
  5. Bring each strap over your shoulders and cross them against your back. Then bring them under your arms to tie around the middle of baby’s body.

Back Technique

  1. With the front of the carrier against your backside and the arm straps falling towards the floor, clip the carrier around your waist, or slightly above, and adjust the strap till it feels secure.
  2. Pick up baby and, holding baby at your hip, carefully slide baby around to your back. Bend forward to support the weight and keep at least one hand on baby at all times.
  3. Bring the carrier up behind baby and the straps over your shoulders. Make sure the straps are always flat and comfortable.
  4. Holding the each strap in your hands, bounce the baby and pull on the straps to adjust the slack. Always make sure baby’s body is snug against yours, with baby’s legs comfortably in place.
  5. Bring each strap over your shoulders and cross them against your stomach.
  6. Bring the straps back behind you and tie them under baby’s bottom, either over the legs, or underneath.

Pouch Sling:

Measuring - Finding the right size sling will maximize the comfort and enjoyment of both you and your baby. To obtain an accurate measurement you want to use a soft tape measure and measure from the outer corner of your shoulder diagonally across your body to your hip. (be sure to measure across your chest, depending on cup size this could significantly alter your sling size)

Don't have a tape measure handy? Buying as a gift? Sizing a sling should never feel overwhelming. Dittany Baby slings are designed to fit like todays t-shirt sizing. If you wear a size Medium t-shirt then get a medium sling. When your sling arrives if you find it is a bit tight or a bit too small just give us a call and we will gladly exchange it for the proper size.

The Proper Fit - If you have bought a pouch and you think you may have the wrong size here are some indications:An indication that your sling is too small is that it will dig into your baby's legs, be extremely difficult to get your baby into and if it feels uncomfortably tight.

An indication that your sling is too big is if your baby feels insecure, loose or wobbly. It is also too big if your legs bump the baby's bottom as you walk. A sling that is too big will also cause back ache after wearing it for only a short time.

Wearing Instructions:

Find the curved seam in the pouch and fold the pouch in half positioning the curved seam to the lower end (curved seam will sit at your hip) and the opening facing upwards.

(Hip Carry) Place the sling over your shoulder with the open edge facing upward. Remember the seam will be on the "Hip" end and not the shoulder. Gently place your babies legs between you and the sling. Holding your baby with one arm use your other hand to open the sling (the most comfortable fit will have the seam being right between the babies legs and up their back) For the Hip Carry it is most comfortably worn if the seam is slightly to the outside of your breast. Holding on to the bottom of the sling gently lower your baby into the sling. If you need to adjust the sling, slide the baby around to your hip with their legs straddled, one in front and one behind. Your babies arms can be in or out.

(Cradle Carry) Place the sling over your shoulder with the open edge facing upward. Remember the seam will be on the "Hip" end and not the shoulder. Place your baby on your shoulder and open the pocket of the sling. Gently lower your baby into your sling, bottom and feet first. Your babies bottom should be at the curved seam of the pouch with their head up towards your breast.

(Tummy Carry) This is basically the same as the "Hip Carry" except instead of sliding the baby to your hip position your baby tummy to tummy.