Back Carrying Information

Back wraps

Carrying your baby on your back is a wonderful feeling, you can get on with your life while keeping your child – little baby or heavy toddler – close to you.

Back wraps can feel a bit daunting at first, here are a few tips to get started:

• Choose a moment when both you and your baby are relaxed.

• Take your time, don't try to rush. You didn't learn to drive in one day!

• Before trying to use the wrap on your back it helps to practice step by step:
Pop baby on your back without the wrap. When you feel happy with this, try placing baby on your back with the wrap and then stop. Now you can try the first few steps of the instructions and stop again. Once you feel confident with each step, you can try the whole tie from start to finish. This will ensure that you are comfortable with each stage and will quickly find it very easy to tie your baby on securely.

• Until you are comfortable enough, ask another adult to stay close by.

• Practice on a soft surface.

• Practice in front of a mirror and give her a biscuit, it will keep your baby entertained while you wrap (shame about the crumbs in your hair!)

• Choose a key phrase to remind your baby to lie still on your back while you wrap. Use it every time and you'll be surprised by the result.

Remember:

• Your baby's legs should be wide apart with the knees higher than her bottom, in a frog-like position.
This is true for all carries but particularly important for back carries so that she doesn't slide down. Remember that the baby should be sitting in the wrap, not hanging down by the crotch.

• Spread the fabric, it should go from her knees, down her thighs, around her bottom and up her back.

• Tighten the fabric as you wrap. Pull on the the rails as you tie, they should be fairly tight (but not too much or the fabric would create pressure points).
The bottom hem ensures she doesn't slide and the top one that she doesn't lean out.