PUTTING ON YOUR POUCH

Keep the gOzOzO folded in half so there is an open and a closed edge.  Hold the pouch with the seam or curved end at the bottom and folded end on top (this is where it will rest on your shoulder). The gOzOzO label or tag will be by your hip or belly button, depending on carrying style. Remember, Your baby will also be placed where the seam or gOzOzO tag is placed.

The pouch will rest on the opposite shoulder of the hip or side you prefer to carry your child.

For a right side hold:
Hold your right arm straight out by your side.  With the open end of the pouch toward your fingers and the closed end toward your body; slide the pouch as a loop over your head with the curved seam on your hip bone.  The pouch should lay on your left shoulder like a sash with the fabric evenly distributed in the back and front. The layers of fabric form a pouch in front of you with a “pocket” to place your baby.

If you wear your child on the left side:
Reverse the directions above.

Now you are ready to try different positions!

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CRADLE HOLD (NEWBORN) **

• Good for small babies and newborns
• You may breastfeed in this position
• Good resting position

1. Place your baby somewhere safe & easily accessible (e.g. bassinet, bed, have someone hold the baby till you are ready)
2 Put your pouch on the preferred side and have the seam by your belly button.
3. For right shoulder positioning, hold your baby with your left arm and open the pouch with your right hand.
4. Place your baby in the pocket of the pouch, bottom/butt first so that your baby rest on the seam line. You may criss cross his leg like in fetal position.
5. Lay your baby’s head down into the pouch high on your chest.
6. If your baby is very small and seems "lost" in the pouch; roll or fold a receiving blanket and place it in the pouch (where the head will rest) before putting the infant in the sling. This will help prop up your babies head.** If your baby is at low birth weight, born prematurely, or has breathing issues such as a cold, DO NOT USE the cradle hold position, wait until they are older and ready for hip carry.
7. Make sure the baby's chin is not pressed against his or her chest. The chin should have at least an inch space or finger width between chin and chest. Always make sure that chin is up, face is visible, nose and mouth are free from obstruction. Always check that baby can breathe easily. **

**WARNING:  Positional asphyxia (suffocation) can occur in young babies. This can happen when a baby's chin is pressed against his or her chest, restricting airflow. Check to ensure that baby's airway is unobstructed and baby is breathing regularly at all times, especially when sleeping.

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KANGAROO OR BUDDA CARRY (3 MONTHS & OLDER)

• For babies who like to face forward and inward & have more head control.
• For babies who grow out of the cradle hold like this position next.

1.  Position pouch with seam aligned to your belly button.
2. Turn baby to face forward or inward.
3.Hold baby above "the pocket of the pouch" with baby's legs either crossed,; knees up, froggy-style; or feet tucked under..
4. Place baby in pouch, making sure the back seam/rail is fully coveirng the child.

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FRONT CARRY

• For babies with better head control who want to face forward
• Legs are in crossed position and mimics womb position

1.  Align seam across the front.
2. Turn baby to face forward with his back toward you.
3.  Cross his legs and lift his knees while sliding him down into the pocket.
4.  Make sure the there is a layer of fabric between your chest and baby’s back.

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 TUMMY TO TUMMY HOLD:

• Great position to keep baby upright
• Use a shoulder flip* to make it snugger

1. The seam of the pouch should be centered across your front
2. Hold your baby on your shoulder as if you were going to burp her. Cross and fold her legs like in fetal position.
3. Slide your baby down into the pocket of the pouch by spreading apart the two layers of fabric.
4. Make sure the fabric is smooth along your back and that your child’s legs are comfortable.

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HIP CARRY

• Most popular hold for larger babies and toddlers
• Helps relieve hand and wrist strain from carrying larger babies on the hip
• Works well with breastfeeding

1.   Place seam line over your right or left hip and the baby on your right or left shoulder; slide his legs down though the two layers of fabric.
2.   Spread open the fabric and place baby’s bottom in the pocket of the pouch. Make sure the seam on the pouch is align with your child's bottom.
3.   One leg will be in front and the other in the back of you.
4. Position the bottom rail of fabric toward his legs so there is a comfortable seat in the pouch.
5. Adjust the fabric on his back upward to hold her securely in the pouch.

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BACK CARRY

• For experienced babywearers and cooperative babies with good head control
• Good for hands free wearing

1. Put your baby in the hip carry position, bend slightly towards the front and slide the sling (with baby positioned at the seam) toward your back.
2.  Make sure the lower rail is pulled all the way from the knees to shoulders.
3.   In the beginning you should ask for another adult to help position the baby correctly.
4. Be very careful in this position always check your child’s position. The child should fit securely with his or her bottom tucked into the “pocket of the pouch”.

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NURSING IN THE POUCH

• Transition while in cradle position or hip carry.
• You may sit with the baby in the pouch.

Simply prepare for nursing by pulling the bottom rail down to nurse and the top rail over the head area for privacy.

Before standing up with the baby in the pouch; reposition pouch and baby so he or she is securely in the proper carrying position.

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*SHOULDER FLIP

To get the baby’s upper body closer, so that they are not “flopping around”, fold the top layer of the shoulder part over from your neck towards your arm. It will also allow the liner to show.

1) Have your sling and baby properly placed the pouch.

2) Fold the top layer of fabric on your shoulder and fold it over toward your outer shoulder. The lining will show. The bottom fabric layer will still be fully covering your shoulder/ upper arm area.