Baby slings from Pouchlings - top

Baby slings, ring slings, mai tais, infant carriers

From 6 months to 2 years

Hip Carry - (6 months - 2 years)

Once you are carrying your child on your hip regularly, you can use the 'hip carry' position with your sling which will take the weight off your arm, straighten your spine and allow the use of both your arms whilst still carrying your child. For this position you do not need to make the pouch that you need for 'newborn' positions.

  • lift the baby into 'burp' position and use your right arm to support them under their bottom
  • slip your left hand under the sling fabric and use it to pull the sling pouch away from your body whilst guiding the baby's legs through the fabric (Fig 6a)
  • position the baby onto your hip as you would naturally carry them but keep the baby held quite high whilst you adjust the sling fabric.
  • with your left hand, tuck the fabric well under the baby's bottom so that it reaches the back of their knees.
  • pull upper hem of the pouch at least as high as the baby's armpits (for arms free) or over their shoulders (for cosy hold). They will not be safe if you only pull it up to their waist. (Fig 6b)
  • lift the baby high and press close to your body. Whilst doing this, use your left hand to pull the whole of the tail to tighten the baby against you. Then take up any slack on the top or bottom hems as required. (Baby's bottom must hang lower than their knees for safety.) (Fig 6c)
  • the closer the baby is to you, the less heavy they will feel. If they fall asleep in this position you can either pull the fabric up over their head or twist them round into either the 'tummy-to-tummy' position (legs dangling out) (fig 6d) or the 'cradle hold 2 (reclining).' (fig 6e). Alternatively loosen the sling, lay the sleeping child down and back yourself out of the sling, using the extra fabric as a blanket

Fig 6a
Fig 6b
Fig 6c
Fig 6d
Fig 6e

Toddler Back Carry

  • put the sling on as though for the hip carry and take up the slack so that it feels fairly tight.
  • now shift the sling right round so that the rings are past your left shoulder blade. (Fig 7a)
  • put the child on your hip as for 'hip carry'. (Fig 7b)
  • Lean forward, move your right arm in front of the child and slowly (and carefully) slide (or bounce) the child and sling round into piggy-back position. The rings should now have slid back round over your shoulder into their usual position. (Fig 7c)
  • before straightening up pull on the tail to tighten the sling, pay special attention to tightening the top hem. Don't let go of the child until you are sure they are tightly fastened to your back with the fabric well up their backs to their armpits or shoulders and right to their knees. (Fig 7d) Until you are confident, practice this position over a bed or with someone to help.


    Fig 7a
    Fig 7b
    Fig 7c


    Fig 7d

     

    GENERAL RULES
    The higher and tighter the baby is carried in the sling, the more secure they will be and the lighter they will feel. Always begin by taking the weight of the baby in one arm, pull on the whole of the tail to get the general positioning right. Then pull on either the front or back hem to take up the corresponding slack To loosen or remove the sling, (hold the baby) lift the bottom ring over the top ring. The weight of the baby will make the fabric slip through the rings so always hold the baby when you do this.

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© Pouchlings, Angela Mansfield, 2007