Correctly Putting Carrier On
Placing Baby in Carrier
Ways to Wear Your Baby & Toddler
On the Move With Your Baby—Toddler
Is Your Carrier the Right Size?
Washing Instructions
Folding Instructions
Making Your Carrier Smaller
Caution to Parents
Is your Carrier the Right Size?

Correctly Putting Carrier On
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When removing the carrier from the package it will appear as Figure1,(center below). Unfold it so that it appears as Figure 2, leaving the carrier doubled so that it forms a pocket on the inside, and then follow the instructions that follow.

Placing Baby in Carrier
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There are a couple of ways to place your baby into the carrier:

1. With the carrier on your left shoulder, you can hold your baby in your left arm as you open the carrier with your right hand. Then lower the baby down into the carrier. Or, you can start with the baby in your right arm, and use your right elbow and left hand to help open the carrier, while you lower the baby down into the carrier with your right arm.
2. With newborns and smaller babies you can put them into the carrier with their feet closer to the seam, causing them to sit higher up. This is nice for discreet nursing and for holding them higher up to you. With older babies (around 4-6 months) you can place them so their bottom rests somewhere close to the bottom seam, and their body is perpendicular to the seam. Bigger babies should have their bottom on the seam to keep them safely inside the carrier. Top
3. Look between your body and the baby to make sure the fabric against you is pulled up around your baby. Pull the fabric up if it is not. Now that your baby is in the carrier, you can modify its position, so that your baby can see out and is comfortable. To do this you can slide your baby toward the outside or inside of the carrier, or forward or back in the carrier. Or you can move the carrier to your right or left to find a comfortable position. Smaller babies may prefer their head facing the opposite direction. (see following section on smaller babies)
4. When your baby is secure in the carrier, pull the shoulder strap fabric out over your shoulder. Then stretch the fabric across your back to broaden the strap and provide more comfort for your back and shoulders.
5. Start Moving! Babies like to be on the move as they are getting used to the carrier. Most babies adjust to the carrier within one week; many right away.

Please Note
Smaller people or those with sloping shoulders may find that their carrier slides slowly off the shoulder down their arm. To prevent this, fold the outside edge of the carrier over, in half again. This narrows the fabric so it does not creep down. Wearing cottons or other fabrics that are less slippery helps with this problem also. The carrier may be worn on either shoulder depending on individual preference.

Ways to Wear Your Baby & Toddler
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Smaller Babies If your newborn appears to be fussy when in the carrier, you can try the following three options. You might also come up with your own methods and ideas based on your intimate connection with your individual baby. 1—Arrange a folded towel under the baby from the baby’s bottom up to the head. Prop your baby up high enough so that he/she may see out 2—Turn your baby around, facing the opposite direction from the manner in which page 1 indicates. This way your baby’s head is not down in the fabric that goes over your shoulder (see Figure 3). 3—Try pinning your carrier up at the shoulder to make it shorter. Some parents prefer the carrier worn higher with small babies. If you prefer it shorter, follow our instructions to make it smaller, or exchange it for a smaller size. (see sections following on making your carrier smaller and exchanges).	Figure 3 Facing Opposite Direction
Babies Sitting Up When your baby is old enough to sit up and hold its head up, you can try the hip carry position (see Figure 4). At this stage (under two years) your baby will likely prefer having their legs in the carrier rather than hanging over the bottom edge. If your baby has gotten used to being carried in the upright position, then this method of carrying will likely be preferred. Figure 4—Hip Carry Position Top	Figure 4 Hip Carry Position
Wearing Baby on Side or Back The previous directions show you how to put your baby on in the front. To slide your baby around to your side or back, grip the fabric with one hand, steady your baby’s weight with the other hand, sliding your carrier and baby around to the desired position (see Figure 5). After your baby reaches the rolling over or crawling stage you will need to pay attention to your baby’s movements when in your carrier. Your baby is not buckled in and can climb or roll out if trying to get down. You will feel this as it begins, so reach around with one arm and bring your baby back to the front again as needed. Be sure to keep baby away from hot stoves, heaters, fireplaces or other hot or sharp objects. Pay attention to what your baby is doing at all times!	Figure 5 Baby Worn on Back
Nursing or Sleeping Babies To nurse, slide your baby near the breast that you wish to nurse with. Pull the inside carrier fabric down to expose your breast and help your baby latch on. Tiny babies need support from one of your arms until they can reach your breast on their own (Figure 6). For more private nursing or sleeping, place your baby towards the inside of the wide strip of fabric so that the outside fabric covers your baby and breast. Babies usually sleep more while in the carrier next to the parent, feeling safer and more secure. These babies also tend to sleep more comfortably during the night. Babies who are out of close physical contact with a parent, are awake more, have a tendency to cry more, and often have more trouble sleeping at night. (Call Empathic Parenting for more information on this subject: (705) 526-5647). Top	Figure 6 Nursing & Sleeping
Wearing Twins When twins are small they can be worn facing each other in the same carrier, until they are about 13-15 lbs. Twins can also be worn in two carriers, one over each shoulder in the front, side, or back. (see Figure 7).	Figure 7 Wearing Twins

Traveling With Your Baby Gently remove the carrier (with your baby) from your shoulders. Lower the baby, carrier and all, into the car seat, and buckle up! At the next stop, lift the carrier and baby out. Slide them both over your shoulder.
Passing Your Baby With the New Native® Baby Carrier, its’s easy to pass your baby to another adult. The carrier continues to cradle safely as you move. You can often transfer the carrier without waking your baby up! Top

Other Ways to Wear Your Carrier In the photo to the right, Jenna (four months old) has her back against Mom, facing out, with her legs crossed in front of her. The baby can also face the wearer, in a leg tucked position.
Carrying Toddlers If you fold your carrier in half, widthwise, it will function as a seat for your baby/toddler. With this method you need to support your baby with your arm.
Carrying Newborns The newborn will most likely curl up into a semi-fetal position. Some people prefer to carry the newborn using some extra support, such as our Infant Support Pillow. With the pillow for support, the infant’s head and body are held more upright. Both are fine for the infant.(pillow: 13 inch length,8 inch width,2 inch depth)

Is Your Carrier the Right Size?
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Sizing is very important with the New Native® Baby Carrier, as it is one continuous piece of fabric, with a deep pocket. It's a simple design, free of belts and buckles, providing the most comfort and ease of mobility for you and your baby. To check for correct sizing, you need to size the carrier with your baby in it. The lowest part of the carrier (with the baby in it) should not hang below the top of your thigh. If it is too long you will bump the baby when you are walking, and it could put strain on your back. The carrier is too small if the bottom of it hangs above your belly button (with the baby in it). When sized correctly, the carrier with your baby will fall within your center of gravity, and feel extremely comfortable. Call or email us if you need help with sizing.

Washing Instructions

Machine wash light colors in warm water. Do not use bleach! Wash dark carriers with like colors in cold water. Tumble dry on low setting. Remove promptly.

Folding Instructions
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In order for the carrier to be worn comfortably and safely it must be folded correctly, after washing and drying. There is a tacking stitch holding two of the edges together, that can serve as your guide. Find the seam at the bottom of the carrier and bring the two edges together.(See Figure A below).

Figure A

Not This!

Your carrier has been sized so that after you wash and dry it, it will be the correct size. They may shrink or stretch a minimal amount with the baby in them. Due to varied body shapes and personal preference, you may need a different size. If so, please exchange your carrier. Check with your place of purchase for their exchange and refund policies.

Making Your Carrier Smaller
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The New Native Baby Carrier can be made smaller by sewing a simple seam across the shoulder area. This can be taken out later if your baby needs more room.
Test First—Use pins to take your carrier in. Adjust the carrier to a comfortable length. Remove tacking stitch at the shoulder area, and open your carrier up, inside out. Flatten carrier out with the bottom seam along one edge. (see Figure 1)
Mark— the line that you wish to sew (see A), with pins or chalk. Sew across the length of the carrier and back again.
Open the carrier up (see Figure 2), lay the extra fabric over and stitch down. (Figures 3 and 4). Now turn your carrier back right side out and fold it in half to make the pocket again.

CAUTION TO PARENTS

Young babies can be at risk of positional asphyxia. Positional asphyxia is a type of suffocation that happens when a person’s body is put in a position restricting airflow. One form of positional asphyxia affecting small babies can occur when their chin is pushed down against their chest. Keep your baby safe by insuring their head is back far enough to insure free air flow. Do not allow your baby’s nose or mouth to become pressed against any soft bedding, soft parent, a pillow, plastic bag or any material that could restrict airflow. This is especially important when your baby is sleeping.


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