Carry of the Month; September: Short Double Hammock Torso Carry

Carry of the Month (COTM) is an ongoing feature for the BWIP blog and Facebook group. Each month one of the Volunteer Babywearing Educators (VBEs) will choose a wrap carry or carrier to showcase and write a blog post with instructions or videos. At our monthly meetings throughout the valley, we will designate time to demonstrate the carry or carrier in person and answer your questions. Feel free to join in on the fun! Post pictures of you trying out the COTM in the Facebook group or email us your entry. Check out the bottom of this post for the prize raffled off for participation this month! 


For September, we are shaking things up! We have prepared for you a tutorial on Short Double Hammock Torso Carry (SDHT).

This is a more advanced back carry so if you try it out be sure that you are comfortable with wrapping on your front and with the basics of back wrapping.

Our lovely VBE, Kara Cook, is going to be demonstrating with her toddler this month. If you are in the East Valley you've probably met Kara at one of our meetings. Ask her to demonstrate in person when you see her this month, because she totally rocked it out for us!
This carry can be used with midsize wrap sizes (3-5). It is a short variation for another carry, so if you have a long wrap I'll mention the long variation at the end of this tutorial.
The wrap used by Kara was graciously donated to our BWI Phoenix lending library by Babydoo. It is a size 5 in their Herbe colorway.

Start with your wrap about 12 inches off center from the middle marker. Place that spot on your child's back and put them up on your back using your desired method. Kara used the Superman Toss in this tutorial.



With your child up high on your back and the ends over your shoulders, pin the top rails under your chin.

Pass your arms behind you and under your child's legs to grasp the bottom rail and pull it up under 
your child's bottom to form a deep "seat".

The bottom rail is now supporting the child from knee to knee.


At this point, an end of the wrap is over each shoulder. Tighten each section of the wrap on the longer end, while pinning the shorter end between your knees.



Bring the longer end under your arm and across your chest. Pass it under the side that is pinned between your knee and around to your child.


The wrap has now formed a horizontal pass around both you and your child. The bottom rail of this section should support your child's bottom. Then bring it up as if to pass over your shoulder. 

Bring both ends of the wrap off of your shoulders and tighten them as you pull them away from your body; this will tighten the horizontal pass. 

Bring the ends together in front of your chest and tie in a double or square knot.

Hands and shoulders free!

This carry is lower than many back carries and most of your child's weight will be supported by your trunk with your child resting on your lower back and bottom.
If you have a longer wrap and find the tails which hang past your knot to be too long, you can also do a tight single knot at your chest and then bring the wrap behind your child, crossed over their bottom and under the opposite legs to be tied in front of you. That is the standard variation of Double Hammock Torso.

If learning by video is more your style check out one by BWI of Atlanta:


The prize for September's COTM pictured below. It contains a Didymos wrap scrap bag filled with goodies! 


To enter to win, simply post a photo of you trying out Short Double Hammock Torso Carry on the COTM thread in our Facebook group, if you're not on Facebook email your entry to us at PhoenixBabywearers@gmail.com.
 At the end of the month we will draw a winner. To earn additional entries, you can post a new picture of you trying it out every day.
(Valid only for Arizona residents. Winner is responsible for pick up or any shipping costs.)




Rachael Bender

Advanced Babywearing Educator. Education Officer for Babywearing International of Phoenix



Disclaimer: Any tutorials or advice given on this blog by Babywearing International of Phoenix or representatives of BWI of Phoenix are to be used at your own risk. Please use caution when attempting any of the carries highlighted on this blog and using any of the carriers discussed on this blog.

Some of the information or advice may put some users of this site at risk due to health issues, physical limitations, or misuse. If you or your child have health issues or physical limitations, please discuss the appropriateness of the carry or carrier with your health care practitioner. BWI of Phoenix cannot be held accountable for any injuries sustained by the reader when attempting these carries or using these carriers.




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About BWI of Phoenix

The Phoenix, AZ chapter of Babywearing International meets several times a month at various locations throughout the Valley. There is a lending library from which members can check out different styles and brands of carriers. Visitors to the meeting are welcome to try on and receive instruction on those carriers from our Volunteer Babywearing Educators. BWI Phoenix strives to educate and encourage parents and caregivers in carrying their babies and children. Each of the volunteers believes that babywearing promotes bonding, learning and growing together. You can join BWIP at any meeting for just $30/year (tax-deductible) and take advantage of member benefits, which include being able to borrow any carrier in our library for up to a month at a time.

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