When you’re a new mum or dad, and your hands are full in every sense of the word, any product that can help free you up can come in handy.

Baby slings can be great for just that. It almost feels like you’ve got a second pair of hands so you can use your own to juggle all of the responsibilities that parenthood throws at you.

But in using a sling, there are few directions you need to be mindful of. We’ve put together the below tips based on the Australian Government’s TICKS rule. What’s that I hear you say? TICKS is an acronym created by sling manufacturers that helps parents know how to safely use a sling.

Tight: Ensure that the sling is tight with bub positioned high and upright with their head supported.

In view at all times: Bub’s face should be in view at all times. It should be easy to see them, simply by looking down. Ensure bub’s face, nose and mouth remain uncovered by both the sling and your body.

Close enough to kiss: Keep baby up high enough that you can easily kiss the top of their head. You should be able to easily kiss the top of their head just by tipping your own forward.

Keep chin off the chest: Bub’s chin should be kept up and away from their body and never curled so that the chin is forced into the chest. This can restrict breathing.

Supported back: Bub’s back should be supported in the sling with their tummy and chest against you. If you need to bend down, ensure you use your knees and your waist to bend. Use one hand to support bub’s back while you do so.

Following the above steps can help to keep bub comfortable and safe. Always remember to check in on bub regularly so you can tend to them quickly if they need to be repositioned.