Long before baby companies designed giant sling shots to carry babies in (but sort of around the time that Native Americans used devices called papooses to carry their children) African women have been carrying their babies on the backs.
It's really simple. (I would have liked to demonstrate in photos myself but noone would let me borrow their child...)
- Bend over until your back is almost horizontal to let the baby lie down
- Place the baby on your back and pull a length of cloth around your waist and under baby's arms
- Tie the first knot just above your chest
- Pull babies feet up towards ribs and tie a second knot below your tummy
- Ta da! The little one should be snug as a bug.
And it really works. I know my mum carried me around like this (I was a fat baby, my mum couldn't carry me by any conventional means) and women across Africa embrace this method too. It's a bit like carrying a living rucksack and I can honestly say, first hand, it's really really comfy.
The baby at the bottom is soooo cute
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