How to Make Your Own Baby Sling

Both of my babies were born at 9 1/2 pounds. It didn’t take long for them to be heavy enough to make it difficult to carry them around and still try to get other things done. I’ve tried the fancy front pack carriers but because my babies were heavy, I didn’t get the back support that I really needed. Then a friend of mine told me about the history of baby slings and how women did their chores and had their baby tied to their bodies and still had both hands free. This is how you can do it, too!

You will need four yards of stretchy, breathable material. Once you get the hang of tying the sling, you can trim the material as you need to. There is no sewing necessary!

1. Take the fabric and find the center, put against your belly button.

2. Take the two long ends and wrap them behind your back and cross the material. (pictured)

3. Take the ends up over your shoulders and cross again in the front (pictured)

4. Tuck the ends underneath the straight piece across your belly button. (pictured)

5. Take the ends and tie on your hip or on your back (pictured)

Now you’re ready to add your baby.

Lower the straight piece to expose the “X” and then put your hand in between the piece of fabric that’s closest to your body. Pull it out to make a pouch to put your baby in. Then take the other part of the “X” and center it over your baby’s butt. One leg will go through each side of the “X”. You can position the “X” over your infant’s butt to use more like a sling (last picture).

TIPS AND OTHER USES FOR THIS SLING:

* Adjust the material over your shoulders and pull down your arms for added support and more comfort.

* You can position your baby to face toward you (infant) or facing outward (older baby).

* If you are planning on going somewhere, you can put the sling on your body before you leave the house. It will be much easier when you get there and all you have to do is add your baby.

* You can adjust the material over your baby’s head for more privacy while nursing. Be sure you’re using breathable fabric.

* Use the material as a blanket, cover a shopping cart, or use as a head support in the car seat.

* You can purchase the material in a thin spandex and use the sling at the swimming pool. This is great when you have an older child who needs help in the swimming pool. You can “strap” your baby to your chest and still have both hands free to help your older child in the pool (obviously in the shallow end!). The spandex material also protects your baby from the sun’s UV rays.

* You can machine wash the material.

* Check the clearance bins at a fabric store. You can find material for $1 a yard, which means you can make your own baby sling for $4!