Using a pouch sling

Stage One – this is the basic starting point for all carries.

First, fold your sling in half widthways, so you have a narrow loop. Put the sling over your head and one arm, like a sash (Miss babywearer of the year is...). The seam of the pouch should be in front, but low down, near your hip. Make sure the open edges of the fold are nearest your neck, as the fold is going to form the 'pouch'. Now you are ready to do the following carries:

Cradle carry for newborns

Now pick your baby up. Put her on your shoulder as if you are burping her. Cradle the baby in one arm, with her head towards the shoulder with the sling over it. With the other arm, open the pouch by pulling the outermost edge of the sling away from your body. Pop the baby in, bottom first. Her bottom should ideally sit on the seam, as this is the deepest part of sling. Pop in her legs, and then tuck in her upper body and finally her head. Pull up the innermost side of the pouch (between your body and the baby) to ensure she is securely inside the pouch. It may be a little easier to lean forward as you do this. Your baby should sit snugly with her bottom just above your belly button. If you want her to be more upright, shuffle the sling up towards your shoulder a little more. If you want her more reclined, pull it down a little towards your hip.

Hip carry for older babies

Now pick your baby up. Put her up onto your shoulder. Pull both edges of the sling away from your body and pass the baby's legs between you and the sling. Open the outer edges of the fold and spread over baby's bottom so that the lower edge of the pouch is behind her knees. Lower your baby's bottom into the pouch; ideally her bottom should be on the seam of the sling. Lift baby's knees so that she is sitting 'froggy-legged' around your hip with her bottom sitting lower than her knees. Spread the fabric under her bottom to ensure she is sitting well into the pouch. Spread the fabric up her back to give more back support and a snug fit.

Finally, you can make an optional 'twist' in the shoulder of the pouch to tighten it a little more. If you still feel like you need to support baby's back with your arm, then you probably need to do 'the twist'!

The 'twist' is quite simple - Just take the outermost edge of the sling (by your neck) and pull it down over your shoulder cap so it turns inside out.