How to Make a Bonding Pouch

Learn how to make a bonding pouch for your baby.

A bonding pouch is a baby item that allows moms or dads to carry around their new baby. The concept is similar to that of the pouch that marsupials, such as kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils and opossums use to carry their babies around. Since the pouch keeps the baby close to the mom or dad's body, it is one form of bonding between the child and parent. You do not need to sew or have any sewing supplies on hand to create your own bonding pouch for your baby.

Things You'll Need

• 4 to 5 yards of Jersey or another stretch material that is at least 22 inches wide

Instructions

1. Place the center of the wrap near your stomach, so that you have the same amount of material on your left and right side.

2. Wrap and cross the wrap around your back so that it creates a crisscross near your lower back.

3. Place the right side of the wrap over your left shoulder and the left side of the wrap over your right shoulder.

4. Pull the tails of the wrap through the wrap on your stomach so that it creates a small pocket.

5. Pull the two hanging pieces to create a crisscross in the front across your chest area.

6. Pull the ends of the tails around to the back of your body and tie the two tails together near the middle of your lower back. Depending on how big your waist is, you may wrap the tails once or twice before tying together.

7. Pick up your baby.

8. Place the left leg of the baby into the right part of the crisscross you created in the front of your body. Place the right leg of the baby into the left part of the crisscross.

9. Pull the material coming over your right shoulder from the right leg of the baby up to under the baby's left arm so that it slides over the back of the baby.

10. Pull the outer crisscross material in the front from the left leg of the baby to under the baby's right arm.

Tips & Warnings

• While this is a sew-less, do-it-yourself pouch, if you can sew, there are also pouch patterns that you can or download. Using the pattern, you can measure, cut and sew the material to create a bonding pouch for you and your baby.

• You can choose any stretchy material rather than Jersey stretchy material. Any sewing or craft store that sells material will have several stretchy material options from which you can choose.

References

• Craft Bits: Baby Pouch Project
• Sugar Gilder: Bonding Pouch
• Make Baby Stuff: Make a Baby Sling
• Wrap Your Baby: Pocket Weap Cross Carry