Wearing your Tentoes.com pouch
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Tentoes.com pouches are simple to use. With a little practice you will soon learn to easily and quickly place your baby comfortably and securely inside your pouch. Your initial attempts will be more successful if your baby is rested and fed before you begin.
Putting on your Tentoes.com pouch
Chose which shoulder you will be wearing the pouch on. If you don't know, more people tend to wear pouches and slings on their right shoulder, you can always try it both ways. Hold the shoulder of the pouch in the hand of the shoulder you intend to wear it on with the curved end at the bottom and the opening towards the middle of your body. Put your other arm and head throught the loop so the fabric sits easily over your shoulder to evenly distribute the baby's weight. The layers of fabric form a pouch in front of you. View slideshow, requires Quicktime.
Adjusting your Tentoes.com adjustable pouch
The first time you use your adjustable pouch you will need to pull the straps to size it to your body. It's better to be a little loose before you put the baby in. It's quite easy to snug the strap tighter while supporting the weight of the baby in the pouch. If the contoured buckle is in the middle of the checkstrap it will naturally sit comfortably against your upper back in most carrying positions. You will not need to readjust the straps unless the pouch is used by another person.
General techniques
Choose your carrying position according to your child's age, level of head and body control and preference. Put the pouch on with the seam where you want the baby's back to be. Open the fabric layers and put the child feet first into the pouch in the position you choose with their body along the seam. Always support your child's weight when putting them in the pouch until you are certain they are securely in the pouch.
Cradle Carry
The cradle carry is recommended for newborns, at least until they can support their head well. Put the seam to the side and gently slide your baby in horizontally. With a very young baby you may wish to place a folded receiving blanket in the bottom of the pouch.
Tummy-to-Tummy Carry
For the tummy-to-tummy carry, make sure the center seam is basically in the middle of your body. Guide the feet of the baby straight down into the pouch. Some babies will automatically fold their legs under their bottom. You can help by reaching in from underneath with your left hand. This carry can be used with young babies if they have fairly good head control.
Kangaroo Carry
As babies get a little older and more curious they may enjoy the kangaroo carry. Again with the center seam in the middle of your body, with your baby facing away from you, cross their feet and slide them into the pouch in a sitting position.
Hip Carry
The hip carry is convenient and comfortable for carrying your toddler because it allows you to rest much of the child's weight on your hip. Put the seam almost all the way to the side of your body. You can either put the baby in the pocket of the pouch with feet enclosed in the fabric on either side of your body or seat the toddler with feet hanging out the bottom on either side of you. A restless child will be more secure if you pull the fabric up around their arms.
Back Carry
This carry should only be used with a child older than 15 months with good head and back control. Begin by placing the child in the hip carry. Bend forward a bit and carefully slide the child around to your back. Spread the fabric up to your child's armpits and well down below their bottom. Make sure that the child's legs are well spread into a sitting position against your back. Do not attempt this carry with an uncooperative child.
Gentle reminders
Always check your baby pouch for wear and tear before use. Do not use the pouch with an uncooperative child; it is possible for a child to climb out of a pouch. Use common sense when choosing what activities to do while carrying your child. Put an arm around your child when bending over.