Carrying Positions
There are many positions that you can use to carry your baby in the Mbeleko depending on your baby's age, size. Here's a how to of the most common:

Snuggle Hold
Newborn to 6 months +
When you place your newborn in your Mbeleko support baby's head until the sling has been tightened enough to provide sufficient support.

Baby can have her head on either side of the sling, nestled in under the rings or cuddled in on the open side of the sling.

This is an excellent position for breastfeeding baby. When you do so, you can drape the tail of the sling over yourself and baby for discretion if you choose.

Begin by pulling up the inner side of the sling against your chest to create a deep, secure pouch.

Open the pouch with one hand while holding baby in the other arm. Set baby in the sling, with the head on either side. Support the head and weight carefully.

While still supporting baby, tighten the sling by pulling the tail.
Pull the outside of the tail, just below the rings to tighten the inner edge or rail of the pouch, and pull the inside of the tail to tighten the outer edge or rail.

Make sure the sling has been tightened enough to support baby sufficiently and keep baby secure.

Very young babies can look a bit squished in a sling - generally though babies love this closeness and security, its similar to swaddling your baby. Combined with your movement, the correctly tightened sling creates a womb like environment for baby.

Handy Hint: For a very small baby you may like to place one or two folded flat cloth nappies or similar in the sling to raise them up so they are not lost in the deep pocket.

Tummy to tummy
Newborn to 6 months
Some babies prefer to be held upright rather than lying down, this is especially true of colicky or reflux babies.

This is also a great position for visual contact with your baby and promotes a strong bond with baby.

Begin by holding baby over the opposite shoulder to the rings, as if you were going to burp them.

Slide baby down and open the sling with your other hand forming a pouch. While supporting baby's weight tighten the sling by pulling the tail.

Pull the lower edge of the sling behind baby's knees and cup their bottom.

For a newborn pull the upper rail or edge over their head for support.

For a baby with neck control cup their shoulders with the upper rail or edge.

For an older baby they may like to have their arms free. Make sure the  sling is tight and secure under their arms.

Buddha Carry
4 months to 1 year
This position is for babies who have neck control and like to see the world pass them by.

Hold the pouch open as if you were going to put baby in lying down, but instead cross baby's legs in front of their body and place baby in the sling in a sitting position, facing out. Take care that baby is in a pocket with the inner edge of the sling between your tummy and baby's back.

While supporting baby's weight tighten the sling by pulling the tail. You may want to tighten the outer rail to keep baby secure. Do this by pulling the edge of the tail on the inner side just below the rings.

Hip Carry
6 months to 3 years
This will quickly become your favorite position for an older baby, it can be used as soon as your baby can sit up.

It mimics the natural carrying position yet alleviates strain on your arms.

An older child can also breastfeed in this position.

Begin by holding baby over the opposite shoulder to the rings.

Slide baby down feeding their feet through the sling, creating a pocket for baby's bottom. Baby's legs can then straddle your hip.

The top of the sling should either come over baby's shoulders or tightly under their arms.

It is a good rule of thumb to make sure baby's knees are higher than their bottom.

For a younger baby you can wear them higher and towards the front rather than on your hip to provide extra comfort and security.

You can slide baby slightly over your hip towards your back if you need  to do something with both hands and want to keep baby safe.

On the Back
12 months to 3 years
The back carry position is for older babies and experienced slingers.

Put the sling on with the rings slightly behind your shoulder.

Put your baby in the sling in the hip carry position then carefully slide your baby under your arm and around to your back.

To adjust the sling in this position you can lean forward taking baby's weight and then pull the tail of sling.

Until you are used to this position you should always have a second person check to ensure that your baby is secure, or check in the mirror if you are on your own.

Remember that your baby is not tied or strapped into the sling, please use this position only with a cooperative child.

Of course babies are carried this way in many traditional societies and have been for centuries without mishap. Its just a matter of getting familiar with the procedure.