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Double Hammock - alternate finishes

11/8/2014

by Jennah Watters, ABE

Double Hammock (DH) is one of the more popular back carries, and one of the first "fancy carries" I wanted to lea. It's a very supportive multi-layer carry that is great for larger babies or toddlers. There are also a ton of ways to make it even fancier, which is super fun for things like babywearing photo shoots. I actually prefer some of these alternate tie-offs for comfort, too, as regular ruck (backpack)-style straps tend to slide off my shoulders. Check the video for instructions, and the photos below for a round-up with a few additional tip and tricks.

Regular DH, tied in front
Generally a base size carry (so, the size you can do FWCC in). Some of these are also "shorty" carries and can be done with a wrap as small as a 2, depending on your size and baby's size. These can also be done with one less than your base size, and tied under baby's butt rather than bringing back around front. The trick to getting a good DH (for me) is to focus on getting the top rail nice and tight as you bring it around. You can tighten the rest "strand by strand" once you've gotten it around baby's back.

DH with a knot
Base size. I actually forgot to put this one in the video above! But, after you have the 2 straps over your shoulders, all you do is tie a regular old half knot (which is just a fancy name for regular knot) above your chest, then continue the carry by bringing the straps under your arms, and either tie under baby's butt or bring back around to tie in front. Shoulders can be capped.

DH Saltwater
Base size. Very comfortable and pretty photo shoot carry! This one is not as complicated as it looks, and imitates the twist in popular Saltwater sandals. Shoulders can be capped.

DH Freshwater
Base size. This is my favorite base size DH variation. It's pretty like Saltwater, but comes up less high on your neck, which is great for comfort and also if you want to show off a necklace or something. Same as Saltwater, but with one less cross. Shoulders can be capped

DH with a single ring
Shorty carry, done with a 2, 3, or 4 and a single L sling sing (from slingrings.com). This is my favorite of the ring variation shorty carries. Shoulders can be capped, and chest can also be spread for comfort if you prefer. Ring carries are great because you can do lots of fine adjustments after you are already "finished" with the carry. For all DH-variation shorty carries, keep in mind that they may not be good for seat poppers, since there is no X under baby's bum to keep them in place, should they pop their seat.

DHDR (DH double rings)
Similar to the single ring finish, but you use 2 M (or possible 2 S, for thing wraps) sling rings. Most people find this most comfy when worn above the chest, with both rings pulled toward the armpits. Ring carries are great because you can do lots of fine adjustments after you are already "finished" with the carry. For all DH-variation shorty carries, keep in mind that they may not be good for seat poppers, since there is no X under baby's bum to keep them in place, should they pop their seat.

DH knotless
Shorty carry. This finishes the same way Double Rebozo Shoulder to Shoulder (DRS2S) does, and is a great shorty option if you have no rings. Again, most comfortable with the knotless thingies pulled toward the armpits. Shoulders can be capped. be sure that you go OVER then UNDER rather than vice versa, otherwise it will not stay tight without a knot! Think that the tail should come out UNDER the wrap and toward your armpits. Though it's not as easy as with rings, you can also do some tightening and adjusting after you are done with the carry with a knotless finish like this. For all DH-variation shorty carries, keep in mind that they may not be good for seat poppers, since there is no X under baby's bum to keep them in place, should they pop their seat.

DH Shepherd's or Shepherd's Carry
This is my favorite shorty carry! Super comfy, and quick and easy. Shoulders can be capped, and the chest can also be spread if you prefer (I find it doesn't stay spread well on my smaller chest, though). For all DH-variation shorty carries, keep in mind that they may not be good for seat poppers, since there is no X under baby's bum to keep them in place, should they pop their seat.

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Front Cross Carry Photo-Tutorial

1/2/2014

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Front Cross Carry is one of my favorite woven wrap carries. First, it can be completely pre-tied and your baby can be easily popped in and out of the wrap as many times as needed. This is awesome especially for babies or toddlers who like to be up and down. Second, it ties in the front. This is wonderful because you can easily pre-tie the carry, hop in your car and drive, and then get out and pop in baby. While you're driving, you don't have an uncomfortable knot in your back. It's also really comfortable to sit down in if baby falls asleep or you are lucky enough to have a baby who likes to be wrapped while you sit. Third, this is an awesome winter or rainy day carry. You can tie before you leave the house and you have no tails dragging on wet pavement. You can also easily pre-tie the carry and put on your coat over it. When you get where you are going, you can just pop baby into the wrap, adjust, and zip your coat over both of you to stay warm. This photo-tutorial will walk you through the steps of the carry. If you prefer video format, click here for a YouTube video of the exact same thing.

Part 1: Setting up the carry

Find the middle marker of your wrap. Bunch your wrap neatly.

Place the center marker at the middle of your lower back.

Take one tail and pin it between your knees to hold it still. Take the other tail up and over the opposite shoulder.

I find that the secret to getting this carry close to perfectly adjusted before putting in the baby is to take a moment at this step and do two things.
1. give the top edge of the wrap (the light blue shown in the picture) a bit more slack.
2. Take out a little slack from the bottom edge of the wrap (darker blue in the picture).

Behind you, bring the tail across your back in a diagonal and under the opposite arm. Spread it neatly and wide across your back for your comfort.

Pin the tail you just worked with between your knees and grab the other tail that you have been holding there.

Repeat the steps you just did with the other tail. First, bring the tail up and over the opposite shoulder. Take a moment to add a little slack to the top edge of the wrap and take out a little slack from the bottom edge of the wrap.

Bring this tail diagonally across your back and under the opposite arm. Spread the tail wide and neatly across your back.

Tie a loose half knot in front. You will make this a double knot later after you put in baby and do final adjustments.

Part 2: Popping the Baby into the Carry

First, make a little slack for the baby. Place your hands inside of the two cross passes, and pull straight down. This takes the slack from the center back piece and shoulder pieces and brings it to the front to give room for adding the baby.

Then pick up your baby and put him/her on your hip. Reach inside of the cross pass that is underneath (the first one you made) and use your hand to guide baby's leg through the cross pass.

Bring baby's leg through the first cross pass.

Repeat with the other leg. Now baby should be sitting on the two cross passes. Baby's knees should be slightly higher with his/her bottom.

Spread the cross pass that you made first (whichever one is underneath) from knee to knee on your baby and up across your baby's back. Make sure that the fabric extends all the way from one knee to the other on baby.

Repeat with the second cross pass. Spread it from one knee on baby all the way to the other knee and up across baby's back. Baby should be fully supported from knee to knee and across the back by both of these cross passes.

Step 3: Adjusting the Carry

At this point, you will most likely need to adjust. If you look at the picture above, you can see that the darker blue part of the wrap is kind of loose and the lighter blue part is really tight. Uneven tightness can cause strain or digging for either you or baby. Take a moment to adjust. First, untie the loose half-knot that you made.

Take out any excess slack that you feel by feeding it up toward your shoulder in the front and across your back. It is easiest to keep one hand under baby and lift up baby's weight while bouncing slightly and pulling out the slack that you feel. Take out slack from the top edge, middle of the wrap, and the bottom edge of the wrap. Do this on both sides.

When you feel it is nicely adjusted and the extra slack is gone, retie. Take both tails under your baby's legs and tie a double knot under baby's bottom.

Part 4: Taking Baby out of the Wrap

Pull the top cross pass down.

Pull the bottom cross pass down. Then simply lift baby out of the wrap.

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Photo Tutorial: How to get an AWESOME Seat in a Woven Wrap Back Carry

12/10/2013

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1. Start the wrap on your baby's back so that the top rail (or edge) is either at the nape of your baby's neck (if baby will be arms in) or just between the shoulder blades (if baby will be arms out). Make sure the wrap is smooth and not bunched up at baby's shoulder blades. Once baby is on your back, use your chin or teeth to pin the top edge of the wrap down. This holds your baby securely to your back, but leaves the bottom edge of the wrap free to work with. Notice in the picture I am holding only the light blue top edge of the wrap and the bottom edge (darker blue) is loose and not pinned down at all.

2. With the top rail of the wrap pinned under your chin or in your teeth, reach back with both hands and pull the bottom edge of the wrap straight down. This gets all of the excess slack out of the middle of the wrap and gives you plenty of width to work with in making your seat.

3. After pulling straight down, change the position of your hands so that you are reaching UNDER baby's legs rather than over baby's legs. Take a moment to notice the difference between pictures 2 and 3. In picture 2, my hands are over baby's legs. In picture 3, I have moved my hands so that they are under baby's legs. This makes it WAY easier to reach to make a good seat.

4. Keeping the top rail pinned, and hands under baby's legs, begin to hook your fingers into the bottom edge of wrap and start to pull upward, toward your armpits.

5. With your middle and/or index finger hooked in the bottom edge of the wrap, pull the bottom edge of the wrap up and in between you and baby. The bottom edge of the wrap should fold up between the two of you and go about to the top of baby's diaper or up to baby's belly button. Now you have a fantastic seat and are ready to do your carry.

Bonus Tips:
1. If your baby likes to straighten his/her legs while you are wrapping, you can put one hand back to hold baby's legs in position until you are able to remove slack from the tails and create your next pass. Also, babies that like to leg straighten will usually stop if you stand up a little (while keeping a hand back to hold their legs in position).

2. If you find that you have a great seat, but you are losing it after you tighten your carry, you might be over-tightening the bottom rail. Seats are kind of picky about how much you tighten them. If you tighten too much, the bottom rail will tend to creep upward, slowly causing your seat to get shallower and shallower. This can also cause red marks behind baby's knees or thighs. When you are taking slack out of your passes, don't aggressively tighten. Just feel for excess slack and remove it.

Happy Wrapping!