The Snuggle or Tummy-to-Tummy Hold

Babywearing Position – The Snuggle Hold

Learn the Snuggle Hold hold for Slings
Flickr: Babyhawk – ethnic side

The Snuggle Hold is one of the most popular positions for infants who can hold their heads up and older. It’s also one of my favorites because it gives your baby security and comfort, and very direct visual connection with the wearer. This carrying position is also called Tummy To Tummy, but that name is actually a little misleading. In this babywearing position, the baby has her legs around the person’s waist, so her weight is aligned with your center of gravity. A young baby often prefers to have her feet inside the carrier, tucked underneath her bottom.

You can use the Snuggle Hold with a sling, pouch, rebozo, or wrap, and with these baby carriers it’s easy to switch from the Snuggle Hold to a reclining position for nursing or sleeping. Structured soft carriers can also be used with this position if the seat area is wide enough to support your baby’s bottom with her legs straddled around you. Make sure that you are not kicking her legs back as you walk.

Baby carriers from Hotslings, Serena & Lily, Baby Bjorn, Evenflo, Portamee and more!

Instructions For Snuggle Hold Using A Sling

Hold the sling in front of you and place it over your head, putting one arm through, bandolier style.
If your sling has rings and a tail, they should be just in front of your shoulder when properly positioning. The right spot is about where you may wear a brooch.
Arrange the fabric so that you have a little pocket for your baby, almost like a hammock, directly in front of you.
Spread the pocket as wide as you can before you pick up your baby, so you can easily position her inside.
Now pick up your baby, facing her towards you, and hold her high on your shoulder. Gently lower her into the sling pocket so that you are facing each other, tummy-to-tummy.
Let your baby’s legs hang out the bottom of the sling and position her bottom on the lower padded side rail of the sling.
Make sure the lower rail wraps around her bottom and extends to her knees. This should create a solid little seat for your little one, and her bottom should always hang lower than her thighs.
While holding your baby with one hand, cinch the sling with another, so it’s nice and snug. It’s important to do this step before letting go of your baby. She should now be snuggled up against you, with the padded side rail of the sling under her knees.
Draw the top layer of the sling against your baby’s back, and adjust the sling rings so she can comfortably lean back slightly.

Watch this demonstration of the Snuggle Hold, also known as the Tummy to Tummy Hold, demonstrated by one of the expert babywearers who created the Tummy 2 Tummy Babywearing DVD.