Make a Baby Sling

Many mothers prefer to carry their babies in a sling rather than push a bulky stroller or carry a child in their arms. Baby slings provide a comfortable and soothing environment for babies to rest and form a strong bond between mother and child. Slings allow mothers more mobility and create greater security for infants when compared to strollers, which can be hard to maneuver through crowds and can tip over. Baby slings are also inexpensive to make at home. The following steps will walk you through how to make a baby sling.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 14 feet of cotton jersey material

How to Make a Baby Sling

1. 
    
   Fabric Held In Front

   Lay the full length of fabric on a flat surface. Fold it lengthwise so that the opening of the fold is along the top. Pick up the folded fabric and hold it centered in front of you.

2. 
    
   Fabric Wrapped Behind Body

   Pull each end of the fabric behind your body. Bring each end of the fabric from behind your back and drape it over the opposite shoulder. This will form a crisscross pattern on your back.

3. 
    
   Adjusting Length

   Adjust the fabric that is draped over your shoulders so that each side is of equal length. Pull each side so that the piece across your abdomen fits snugly against you.

4. 
    
   Front Pouch

   The fabric portion across your abdomen will become the compartment the baby will rest in. Slide one hand inside of this portion to separate the front and back sections of the pouch.

5. 
    
   Child in Front Pouch

   Gently slide the child into the front pouch. The child should rest in a cradled position.

6. 
    
   Crisscross Across the Front

   Crisscross each end of fabric in front of you and across the bottom of the child. This will help reinforce the bottom of the sling and provide support for the child.

7. 
    
   Tying the Back Knot

   Pull each end of fabric around your back, and tie in a secure knot. The shoulders of the sling can be adjusted to allow the child to be exposed or to be cocooned.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a doll when you first make a sling to estimate the correct pouch size.
• Always hold the child securely when placing her in the sling.

[AdirondackTrina]

on 3/24/2009 I used a baby sling for my colicky daughter...it was a life saver! Great idea for an eHow article!Ü