banana position tips - minimonkey

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Top Tips:

If you are having trouble positioning baby in the sling in this position whilst standing as demonstrated on the demo, then first sit down, spread open the sling on your upper legs, position baby inside, put the strap on, check if baby is well-positioned and then once all is sorted stand up.

Small baby: Turn the front of the baby sling to the inside. When wearing it this way (see picture on the left), baby lies in a smaller 'pocket' of fabric and is therefore higher up in the sling. Ideal for small or very young babies !

Below you'll find even more tips for the Banana position

1. Selecting the right sling height
2. First time use
3. First time use with an older baby (+/- 2.5 months)
4. What to do if baby is agitated or cries in the sling
5. Preventing back and neck pain
6. Maximum wearing time
7. Adjusting sling height
8. Removing sling with baby inside

1. Selecting the right sling height

The ideal height will depend on the preferences of you and your baby, but the following gives some general guidelines:

• Put the sling on (without baby) with the padding on the shoulder and clasp on the back
• Put the inside rim (next to your stomach) of the sling between your thumb on one side of the fabric and finger on the other side
• Pull the inside rim straight up against yourself
• The sling is at a good height when the inside rim is slightly above your belly button

2. First time use

• Practice before use with a doll
• Don't rush or abandon straight away. If baby is a bit unsettled try again at another time
• Experiment with the different positions, every baby and wearer have their preferred carrying positions

3. First time use with an older baby (+/- 2.5 months)

If your baby is a bit older and isn't already used to being worn in a sling, it's possible that he won't like the banana position. Effectively your baby is 'too old' for the banana position, as baby is used to being able to look around freely and may not like the contained feeling at this age.

If this true for you, wait a couple weeks until baby is old enough to be carried in the kangaroo position (starting at 3 months, see photo on the left). This way baby can enjoy looking around and you'll have your hands free as you would like - success guaranteed!

4. What to do if baby is agitated or cries in the sling

If baby is agitated or cries and is not hungry, try calming him by giving a pacifier or your pinky and/or walking him in the sling. The swaying movement often helps calm the baby.
If baby is crying the first time you put him in the sling it's possible he needs more time to get used to it. Don't give up but take the time necessary so you can both get used to the sling. If after a few minutes baby still isn't settling, try another time when baby is in a good mood. Experiment with different positions, every baby and wearer have their favourites.

5. Preventing back and neck pain

• Ensure the sling is at a comfortable height
• Walk with good posture
• Build up wearing time gradually. This will build muscle gradually so that you're able to wear for longer periods
• Relieve your shoulders and back once in a while by sitting down and resting baby on your stomach or upper legs
• Occasionally change the shoulder you use for the strap

6. Maximum wearing time

Baby can be worn in the sling until either he or the wearer feel like stopping. By building up wearing time gradually you allow the muscles needed for wearing to strengthen. Over time you'll be able to wear the sling for increasingly longer periods. It's therefore recommended that on first use you don't go for a long walk, but start with a short wearing period.

7. Adjusting sling height

In the banana position you can adjust sling height whilst sitting or standing

Sitting

• Sit with baby resting on your upper legs
• Remove the strap (either by unclasping or ducking your head through)
• Adjust strap to the desired height
• Put sling back on by lifting strap while clasped shut and ducking your head through
  

Standing

• Support baby with your hand/arm
• To make sling higher: Pull loose end of strap with your free hand so it glides through the clasp and hangs higher. To lower the sling: Pull the clasp with your free hand so that the strap glides through and the sling hangs lower
• Ensure baby is well-installed at the new height before removing the hand/arm that is supporting him

8. Removing sling with baby inside

Lean over a high, flat object such as a bed, couch, or table, enlarge the sling opening by spreading the two sides open, then remove baby. This can also be done while sitting.
In the banana position you can also remove both the sling and baby at the same time. This way you don't need to wake a sleeping baby, but can put them directly down to sleep, baby sling and all!