| Washing & Care
The 100% cotton fabric of your SlingEZee is selected to be safe, cool, and comfortable next to your baby. Some dark colors can bleed, so wash separately at first. Machine wash warm. Rinse cold. Gentle cycle. Mild detergent. Tumble dry on low setting or air dry. Do not bleach or use fabric softener.
Sizing
Sizing is crucial when wearing a padded sling. When I purchased my first SlingEZee, I bought a size too large, thinking that it would be nice to share it with my husband. With our second child, and the right information, I purchased my correct size. I couldn’t believe what a difference it made. With my baby higher up on chest, snug against me, I was able to be hands-free, and so much more comfortable!
To check to see if you are wearing the correct size SlingEZee, put your SlingEZee on with the tail pulled through the rings until the label is just below. Ensure that the shoulder pad is on your shoulder cap, rather than on top of your shoulder. Check to see where the lower padded rail touches your body. The correct size will hit close to your waist. If it is closer to your hip, the sling is too long. If it comes up under your arm, the sling is too small.
How to determine your proper size:
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Find the row that best describes your pre-pregnancy body. Focus primarily on your shirt size. |
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If you are still unsure of your size, use a piece of string to measure from the cap of your right shoulder across your body to your left side at the waistline. If it is between 23 and 26 inches we would recommend the Regular size, if between 19 and 23 inches the Petite size, and if between 26 and 28 inches the Long size. |
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To understand more about the importance of sizing, click here. |
Click on your size to view all available sling fabrics from the Classic and Design Collections.
English Measurements
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0 to 2
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5' or less
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Less than 100 lbs
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3 to 7
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5'1" to 5'4"
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101 to 125 lbs
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8 to 13
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5'5" to 5'10"
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126 to 180 lbs
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14 to 17
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5'11" +
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181 to 225 lbs
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18 +
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6' +
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250 lbs +
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Wearing Your SlingEzee
Over the years, we’ve made many mistakes when it comes to baby wearing. Learning baby wearing the hard way has been a blessing, because we are now able to pass on the tips we’ve learned.
Parts of the SlingEZee
To be successful using your SlingEZee, it helps to know the parts of the sling as they are referenced below. The stitched strap with the SlingEZee label on it is referred to as the tail. The portion of the SlingEZee that cradles your baby is the hammock. The rails are the top and bottom padded portions that line the hammock and continue on to provide comfort across your back and shoulder. The stitched pillow above the rings is the shoulder pad, designed for long-term comfort of wearing, especially as your baby grows into a toddler. The shoulder pad is not a pillow for your baby’s head. Lastly, the rings are called just that – the rings.
Buckling the SlingEZee
To put your SlingEZee together if it is apart, pass the tail through the two rings, and then back over the first one and under the second. Tighten it so the SlingEZee label is immediately below the rings.
Key Tips for Comfort
Rest assured that, with practice, wearing your baby will become second nature to you. Most things that are truly worth it take a bit of work, so hang in there until the art of baby wearing comes naturally!
If you are right handed, you may find that the position that feels best to you is to wear your SlingEZee with the shoulder pad on your right shoulder. To do so, start with your hands out in front of you, with the SlingEZee draped on your left hand. The shoulder pad should rest on your left hand, with the tail hanging between your two hands. Next, slide the SlingEZee up your left arm and over your head, and then rest the shoulder pad on your right shoulder. If you’re left handed, you will probably feel more comfortable with the shoulder pad on your left shoulder, so follow the above directions using the opposite sides. The hammock where your baby will be cradled goes across your chest like a banner. The rings should come just between your breast and shoulder. This is called the neutral position.
If you find yourself experiencing some discomfort, try this. Reach behind your back, below the shoulder pad area, and pull the SlingEZee fabric down some. Of course, this can’t be done if your shoulder pad is on top of your shoulder, rather than on your shoulder cap. I find that when I tug down on the fabric to make sure my baby’s weight is distributed properly - the discomfort goes away!
In review, the three keys for comfort are:
| 1. |
The rings should be between your shoulder and breast. |
| 2. |
The shoulder pad should be on your shoulder cap, rather than on top of your shoulder. |
| 3. |
The fabric of your SlingEZee should be spread out across your back as much as possible. |
Bubbling
 The bubbling technique is key to getting your baby snug against you so that you can be hands-free. “Bubbling” is what you do to take up excess material in just one rail. When you pull on the tail, it makes your SlingEZee snugger, as it pulls your baby higher up; but sometimes you may just want to tighten the top rail alone. To do so, reach just below the rings – between the rings and the SlingEZee label – and find the piece of material that relates only to the top rail. The material splits just above the SlingEZee label, with one split corresponding to each rail. Pull on the fabric split that matches the loose rail, and pull that piece of fabric just below the rings until you have made it look like a bubble. This tightens the top rail, pulling your baby closer to you – which will make a huge difference in comfort for you. Many find that they use the bubbling technique more as their infant is worn in an upright carry position. Also, as your toddler is worn in a hip straddle, you may find that they will recline away from you if there is any slack. You don’t want your baby hanging low or away from your body. The closer your baby is to your body, the more comfortable you will be.
Before you try wearing your baby in your SlingEZee, keep in mind that babies are great at picking up on anxiety. So, as you’re about to try baby wearing, just relax and rest assured that it gets easier and easier as you practice! When beginning to use the SlingEZee, it helps to start with a well-rested baby who was just fed. Also, it helps to slowly walk around once you slip your baby into the SlingEZee, since babies love motion.
Positions
Cradle Hold
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The cradle hold is generally used for an infant, a sleeping baby, or for breastfeeding your baby at any age. Begin with the SlingEZee in the neutral position. 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 SlingEZee open and bring your baby up and over the top of the hammock, placing their feet toward your left hip. You may desire to |
| rest your infant’s head on the top rail, near the rings. 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. |
If you need 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 have an amount of hammock fabric between your body and your baby, for a secure hold, before letting go with your left hand. Notice a couple of things about this position: If the rings are in the proper position, they should not touch your baby’s head. If they do, they are probably too low. Also, notice that your baby’s feet rest inside of the SlingEZee. You may find that you cannot wear your baby in this position past the first couple of months. Your baby can be worn in a cradle hold with their head placed opposite the rings so their feet can hang out of the SlingEZee below the rings. This position is ideal for breastfeeding, even into toddler hood. It is also great for wearing your new little out in public, protected in the SlingEZee from uninvited touches – and germs! Once again, make sure you have an amount of hammock fabric between your body and your baby for a secure hold.
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 the SlingEZee in the neutral position. With both hands, hold your baby high on your exposed shoulder, opposite the rings. Open the hammock some and slide your baby into the 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. Direct any excess fabric toward the rings. While supporting your baby’s weight where you would like them to be, pull the tail until your baby is riding at your waist or higher. If the rail behind your baby’s head remains too loose, bubble that rail by pulling only the top rail tighter. This ensures |
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| that the SlingEZee is snug enough, so your baby’s head will be held secure. Make sure to keep some material between you and your baby by pulling the lower rail under your baby. Notice that an infant 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. When you wear your baby this way, ensure that the lower rail is secure and snug under your baby’s bottom. |
Kangaroo Carry
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The 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. Beginning with the SlingEZee in the neutral position, hold your baby against you, with their back high on your chest. Support them there in a “chair-like” position. With your free hand, hold the hammock open while you lower your baby’s bottom into the hammock. Take the lower rail and pull some material 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 the SlingEZee so they are riding at your waist or higher, pulling on the tail to tighten. If necessary, bubble your top rail. |
If you have a colicky baby, the kangaroo carry may help them to pass the gas because it brings their knees up into their little tummy where they are feeling pain, and then you can pat their bottom if you need to. Babies love this position because it puts them at conversation level. Babies who love the kangaroo carry may become verbal early because they are able to soak it all in. This is what Dr. William Sears calls a quiet state of learning or an optimal state of learning. Baby is quiet and content – listening and learning about their environment.
Hip Straddle
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The 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 the SlingEZee in the neutral position. Pick up your baby or toddler and place their tummy high on your exposed shoulder, opposite the rings. Reach between the SlingEZee fabric and your body to grab your child’s feet. Bring both feet through the SlingEZee and place your child on your hip. The top rail will go behind your child’s shoulders. Pull a small amount of the lower rail up between their legs. While supporting your child at your waist or higher, pull the tail to tighten. Keep in mind that toddlers will recline away from you if the fabric is too
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| loose behind their back. It is important, for your comfort, to bubble the top rail as needed. |
You’ll find that toddlers who are used to the SlingEZee 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 the SlingEZee.
Breastfeeding
To breastfeed in the SlingEZee, begin with your baby in the cradle hold, either with their head below the rings and their entire body in the sling, or with their head opposite the rings, which provides the option of their feet hanging out. You may find that you can breastfeed more discreetly with their head opposite the rings.
 You may find that you want to loosen the rings somewhat to create some space in your SlingEZee. Whenever you need to loosen the tension of your SlingEZee, simply lift up the lower ring. Always hold on to your baby while doing this. Next, reach inside the SlingEZee to prepare your breast for feeding. With that hand inside the sling, grasp your baby’s head and shoulder area and turn them toward you, tummy-to-tummy, and latch them onto your breast. With your baby supported, tighten the fabric by pulling on the tail. This should fully support your baby at the breast so that you can be hands-free. If you need to, you can do the bubbling technique to tighten the top rail.
Another great breastfeeding position in the SlingEZee is the clutch or football hold. This position is perfect for nursing during the first couple of months. In this position, you will place your baby in the SlingEZee with their head in front of your breast and their legs curled beneath your arm on that same side. Your arm supports your baby, with your opposite arm free to help your baby latch on. The clutch hold is a great position for a mother who has had a Cesarean birth, as it keeps the baby away from the incision. It is also helpful for the mother who has a strong milk let down, because the baby can handle the flow more easily in the clutch hold.
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