On the Back with a Sarong (without using your shoulders)
This position is suitable for babies who can support their own head (from around 2-3 months). You can use a sarong or a pashmina! This way of carrying your baby doesn't use your shoulders at all, which is why it's suitable for people with shoulder or neck problems.
Note: In the photos below I'm already 6.5 months pregnant and my Vasilis weighs 15 kilos! Even so, this is still one of the most comfortable positions I use for carrying my baby!
1. Wrap the sarong around your waist, the way a man would wear a towel coming out of the bath (or tuck it loosely into your trousers) and hold your baby on your side.
2. Carefully move your baby onto your back, passing your arm over its head and supporting it.
3. Leaning forward, bring your baby to the center of your back. (Alternatively, you can put your baby on your back in whatever way works best for you).
4. Take the sarong and spread it over your baby so that it covers it from the armpits down to its legs.
5. Hold the top edges of your sarong tightly and pull them taut under your arms toward the ground, hugging your baby snugly so that it rests firmly against your back.
6. Bring one edge, kept well taut, to your opposite armpit and hold it there by closing your arm.
7. Then bring the other edge of your sarong to the opposite side, over the first edge that is still held under your armpit.
8. Roll both edges up tightly together along their whole length in front of your chest (from one armpit to the end).
9. This should be done several times to make sure that both edges are held tightly around you.
10. Pull the sarong well taut over your baby's back and bring it under its bottom. Be careful, enough fabric needs to reach under the child's bottom; if your sarong (or the pashmina you are using) is too narrow, it isn't suitable for this position.
11. Keep holding it well taut and bring the two edges in front of you. Separate the edges so they take on a “rope” shape and tie a knot tightly at your belly. Alternatively, you can twist them together once or twice and tuck them under the fabric. The pressure from the baby's weight against your back is enough to hold them securely there.
12. Make sure your baby is “seated” on your back, meaning its legs are spread open around you and its bottom is at least at the same height as its knees, or lower.
13. This is a very comfortable position, both for your baby and for you!
As you can see, there is no pressure at all on your shoulders or neck, which is why this method is recommended for people with sensitivity in these areas.
Note: In these photos, due to my advanced pregnancy, I have tied the fabric above the bulge of my belly, just below my chest, which is why Vasilis appears to be “hanging”. That is not the case! You, on the other hand, will tie the fabric horizontally in front of your belly (see also the video below).
See it in the detailed instructional video below, on how to carry your baby with a sarong, as well as with a beach towel:
- You can also see the above instructions in this video:
Video: On the Back with a Sarong, without using your shoulders (9.92 MB)
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