Hip Carry

HIP CARRY (5 Months onwards)

You may use either arm or either shoulder interchangeably. For purposes of easier illustration, we have used the arm/shoulder that is seen in the photos in the descriptions.

STARTING BASICS

T1) Loop the Tail through 2 rings.
Then put over the nearest ring, and under the next. Spread the tail evenly around the rings

T2) Put Sling with label & rings facing front on one shoulder.

T3) Pass the Sling OVER your head to rest on the other shoulder, so that the sling is slung diagonally over your body.

This shoulder portion should rest nicely and broadly over your shoulder for even weight distribution while carrying your child.

T4) Ensure that the back portion of the sling fabric is not twisted but evenly spread with the edges roughly parallel.

STEPS FOR HIP-CARRY
(Babies)

Hip Carry
H1). Hold baby high on the side opposite the rings.

Cross baby's legs so that you can hold them in one hand.

H2) Bring baby's legs through the sling pouch.

Now, while holding baby, wrap the upper edge of the sling pouch over baby's back up to his armpits. For babies who need a more support for their upper back/neck, do bring this upper sling pouch edge up to the shoulder or even neck level.

Now the lower edge of sling pouch should be wrapped right around the back of knees. Sit baby down on this lower edge and on your hip.

Baby's knees should be bent as if sitting on a chair. Baby's bottom should be folded over the lower edge of the sling pouch so that it is lower than the knees.

H3) While supporting your child an the sling pouch, size down your sling pouch by gently pulling on the tail.

H4) You will find that although the pouch is roughly the right size, it may still not be a "snug" fit. Usually the edges will still be a little "loose" with some extra fabric around the sides of the sling pouch.

To further adjust:
While still supporting baby's weight and the sling fabric with eg. your left arm, find the edge of the sling tail that adjusts the top edge of the sling pouch. Give that section of the tail a gentle pull, until the top edge of the sling pouch is adjusted to the size you want.

Do the same with the bottom edge of the sling pouch. ie. find the edge of the tail that can adjust the size of the bottom edge of the sling pouch.

H5) If you find that you have adjusted too snugly, do pull up on the lower ring to loosen the sling pouch slightly while holding your baby. On loosening, you can proceed to re-adjust the sling pouch again to your satisfaction.

H6) You could either leave the sling tail long down in front, OR fold it in half, and half again, and tuck it under rings.

H7) You may now enjoy a nice stroll outdoors with your baby!

(Do note important points in H18 below)

STEPS FOR HIP-CARRY
(Older Child)

H8) Do bend your knees when picking up an older child.

H9) Lift your child while bending your knees. This is wise to protect against backstrain.

H10) With sling properly put on and arranged, carry child first, as you would normally carry him in your arms - eg. left arm.

H11) Hold both legs with 1 arm/hand. To do this, it would be easier to cross both legs.

H12) While supporting your child in eg. your right arm, bring the upper edge of the sling over his body with eg. your left arm.

H13) Support your child's back and bottom now with eg. your left arm.

Then use eg. the right arm to bring the bottom edge of the sling pouch fabric over the child's bottom, right down to the area behind his knees, forming a seat for the child.

H14) Bring all excess fabric from the sling pouch towards the direction of the rings.

H15) Hold & support with eg. your left arm - both baby & sling fabric.

Then use eg. right arm to give a tug at the sling's tail. This method will generally size the sling's pouch smaller. Pull until you have the sling pouch roughly to the size you want.

Remember that to adjust the sling, it is important to *lift* the weight of the child so that tension is taken off the rings. If baby's weight is hanging in the pouch, the weight will lock the fabric at the rings and you will not be able to pull & adjust the sling's tail or adjust pouch size at all.

H16) You will find that although the pouch is roughly the right size, it may still not be a "snug" fit. Usually the edges will still be a little "loose" with some extra fabric around the sides of the sling pouch.

To further adjust:
While still support baby's weight and the sling fabric with eg. your left arm, find the edge of the sling tail that adjusts the top edge of the sling pouch. Give that section of the tail a gentle pull, until the top edge of the sling pouch is adjusted to the size you want.

Do the same with the bottom edge of the sling pouch. ie. find the edge of the tail that can adjust the size of the bottom edge of the sling pouch.

H17) You're DONE! You could either leave the sling tail long down in front, OR fold it in half, and half again, and tuck it under your rings.

If you want extra "padding" at the shoulders, just tuck this extra tail fabric under the shoulder portion of the sling.

H18) You can see here the correct positioning of the hipcarry:

- shoulder band spread wide over shoulder

- rings just beside collarbone

- sling pouch goes up right under armpit and way down to behind the knees

- child should be around waist level and no lower. Any lower, and you will feel back strain.

H19) Ready to go!

(*hey mom! I don't want to pose anymore!*)

Note that your child should be around waist level and no lower. Any lower, and you will feel back strain