Flickr: Hold me tight

As your baby gets older and can easily sit upright, one of the new babywearing positions you can start trying is the Hip Carry. The Hip Carry position is one of the most popular carries and will feel very natural for both you and your baby. It can be used with a sling, pouch, rebozo, wrap, hip carrier, and some soft carriers (depending on the manufacturer).

The Hip Carry term simply refers to any carry where the baby straddles you, and is not directly on your front or back. In most of the versions of this position, the baby will be slightly to the front of your hip, or slightly to the back. This is such a comfortable position for your baby, because not only can he see out and participate with the environment, but she can also see your face and snuggle into you if she’s feeling a bit overstimulated.

Babies can sleep in this position, with their head resting on your shoulder. When your baby is sleeping in the Hip Carry position, the movement of your supporting arm will naturally be reduced slightly. Some mothers find it convenient to nurse in the Hip Carry.

Always remember that the fabric of your carrier must go all the way to the baby’s knees, with your baby’s bottom sitting deeply in the pouch, lower than his knees.

Instructions For The Hip Carry Using A Sling

• Begin by opening the pouch over one hip.
• Place your baby’s bottom in the sling on the seam, facing you. Makes a little seat for her, and hold her while you position the sling so your baby is secure.

Watch this demonstration from Hotslings, which shows how to use a pouch for the Hip Carry position.

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In the Cradle Hold is one of the most popular babywearing positions for newborns. The carrier is used like a hammock, with your baby worn in a lying or semi-reclined position against your chest. It’s similar to how you naturally would cradle her in your arms, only the baby is supported by the baby carrier.

With a sling or pouch, your baby’s head would point towards the shoulder the carrier is supported by.

Sometimes parents may prefer to reverse baby’s position and put baby’s head on the opposite side. This is particularly convenient for breastfeeding mothers when they want to feed their baby, so this variation of the cradle hold is often called the Reverse Cradle Hold or the Nursing Cradle Hold.

This video from Hotslings shows how easy it is to use the Cradle Hold with a sling or pouch

Instructions For The Cradle 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.
• When the baby is comfortably in the sling, with her head either inside or outside the sling, pull the tail of the sling to tighten it. You can make the sling fit more snugly by adjusting the top and bottom rail independently.

A similar position is the Reverse Cradle Carry, where your baby’s head at the side opposite to where the pouch rests on your shoulder. This carry position is especially useful for nursing, including hands free nursing. Position the baby into the pouch from her head to her bottom, her legs can hang out the side and do not need to be tucked inside the sling.

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.

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.

For a fantastic Snugglehold step-by-step tutorial with pictures, check out this feature at MomsInMind.com.

Flickr: papa sling – crop

This carry technique is for babies that are old enough to hold up their heads for an extended period of time. Because they can look out and observe the word, most babies love the Buddha Carry. It lets them be close to and engage with everything around you at the same time.

You can use Buddha Carry position with a pouch, sling, rebozo, a wrap or an Asian-style soft carrier with the extra straps. Cross your baby’s legs Buddha-style, position him so his knees up, froggy-style, or tuck his feet underneath.

You’ll find that your baby sits out a little further from your body, and will tend to pull your shoulders forward. Some people find this position a little more tiring than others. Because your baby is facing forward, he will get a lot of stimulation. This can be overwhelming for babies sensitive to meeting lots of new people or being in new places.



Sometimes this position is called the Kangaroo Carry, however that term is used for when the baby is either facing in or out.

Watch this demonstration of the Buddha Carry / Kangaroo Carry, from the team that put together the Tummy 2 Tummy DVD: