How to Create a Pouch Sling Using a Tee Shirt!

A pouch is a simple tube of fabric that is folded in half and placed over the wearer's shoulder. (http://www.quirkybaby.com/pages/babywearing.php) The baby then goes into the pocket made by the fold. Pouches are best used for front or hip carries. Suitable for use from birth to around 30lbs they are the best solution for a simple sling for about anyone. A pouch sling is the easiest way to carry your child by far, just pop your child in and go! no messy rings to mess with or straps to play with! Just slip it on! It also is great to stash in your diaper bag as it folds up smaller then any other carrier out there! and now you can make your own in less then an hour! Make that less then 10 mintues flat!

The simplest way to create one of these easy carriers is by using a tee shirt. Find a tee shirt that has a little stretch to it, but not too much. Cotton knit is a good fabric to use. You do not want to use something like spandex. You want something that will also be able to breath and will be comfortable worn for both you and your child.

Choose a tee shirt that is much too small for you. As an example, I normally wear a large woman's tee shirt, but to make a good fitting pouch for my son I prefer to use a size small tee shirt. If you are a smaller woman you may even need to travel to the girls or boys department to find a good cheap tee shirt that will work for you. I personally like to pick up gently used tee shirts from Goodwill or the Salvation Army to use as my pouch slings. You may choose a solid color or a print for your pouch. The fun part is finding something that is totally you to use.

Once you found a good tee shirt to you, cut off the sleeves and top of the tee shirt. Fold the top edge down into the pouch to hide the cut edge. Some shirts are stretcher than others. You may need to try several shirts before you find one that is the right size for your use.

A well fitting pouch will: feel close without being uncomfortably tight. If you can't breathe while using the pouch carrier then it's too small for you. If the pouch hangs from your body with your baby in it is most likely too big or too stretchy. A well fitting pouch will also support the weight of your baby no matter how small or big they are and not pull on your shoulders or back causing strain. The baby should be above or at your waistline. Lastly a well fitting pouch should feel like you are wearing another layer or another top when wearing it with your baby inside. It should be comfortable and you should barely be able to feel the weight of your child.

To wear your baby, check to make sure the carrier is folded correctly. Next, place the carrier over one shoulder. It should go across your shoulder to the opposite hip and be worn kind of like a sash. Make sure the fabric of the carrier is flat on both your shoulder and back. Using both hands pull the pouch open. Grab your child and place them in the carrier making sure they are tightly in. Your baby may be worn in a cradle hold, kangaroo carry, hip carry, baby cradle carry or an inner ward facing carry just to name a few. You can find different ways to carry your child in a pouch by doing a simple search on the internet. (http://www.newnativeinc.com/babywearingtips.asp)

Good luck on creating your simple pouch sling. Enjoy wearing your child close to your heart.

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