tips on starting the bonding process with least amount of stress

Hello Parents I've have my joeys for 5 days now and would like to start the bonding process very soon, but also want to have the least amount of stress for them. I was readying the sticky thread "into the bonding pit" and they stated to just use the sleeping pouch they sleep in as the bonding pouch instead of transfering them to the official bonding pouch. they mentioned putthing the pouch in their shirt but not quite sure what that means, and I also need to find something so i can put the sleeping pouch around my neck like a rope or something similar.

that does make sense and I think i will start off with that first and then transfer them to a bonding pouch. the only thing is I'm disabled and in a wheelchair and afraid them might run off while I try and transfer them.

when I do try and transfer them to a sleeping pouch to bonding pouch I was just going to try and transfer them from pouch to pouch hopefully without even touching them.

I'm just trying to figure out the easiest way for me and the joeys. If any of you have any other tips or advice to send my way please do, it's greatly appreciated.

One of our previous owners, Tom Havens was also in a wheelchair, and this is one of those times it would have been wonderful to have so many tips from him about how he managed to do some of the things I know you will have questions about.

I think if you start with simply carrying the sleeping pouch in your lap after they have settled for the day so they get used to movement while they are asleep, switching them to a bonding pouch will not be so difficult.

During this first process while in the sleeping pouch start with stroking the outside of the pouch talking to them and slowing work your hand inside the pouch so you are able to pet them. Always make sure the zipper is firmly against your wrist so there is no extra space/opening for them to slip out.

Once they are used to your hand and the petting, they should eventually sleep comfortably in the palm of your hand. This is the opportunity to transfer them to a bonding pouch.

This will take some time, so will not happen over a few days or make even a few week. All gliders are different. Yours may be comfortable quickly or it make take a little while.

Hope this made sense.

I use the c links from the pouch and hang them from my bra or cami tank vs
using a strap. Works well for me.

I have an escape artist so i take the sleeping pouch and shove it inside the bonding pouch and zip her up.

You may want to take sleeping pouch out and hold on chest or on lap. There are a few things you can do through pouch to get glider use to a hold from outside pouch or a slight pressure if you have to move. Relaxing watching a movie for a couple hours or any other quiet task is good to start out.

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=glider_handle

This article is a good start on what not to do until glider is more comfortable. Except the slight pressure that can be used on a brand new glider.

wow a lot of great advice, thank you so much everyone! I should've told you more about my condition. I have muscular dystrophy so it's really hard to lift and reach things, and have chronic back/shoulder pain 24/7.



unfortunately my man boobs aren't big enough for a bra yet, but hopefully next year. :D

I'll have to find some kind of strap,rope to put on the c links and hang it over my neck.

UPDATE: I grabbed the sleeping pouch and just attached it to my strap and clips, and it was pretty much a success! Thanks again everyone. :D one of them crabbed, but only very slightly for 2 crabs to be exact and I just pet them through the pouch. ( I didn't try and reach inside yet ) but I will put the sleeping pouch around my neck every day for a hour or two for a few days, and then start putting my hand in to pet them. Then I think I'll move on to putting them in a bonding pouch next.

I'm really happy that they didn't crab like crazy, but maybe I was just lucky today? we shall see in the next upcoming days.

They will get used to your presence quickly which reduces the crabbing. After the first day (or three), I've almost never heard a crab.