Imitation Didymos Sling

You will need one piece of material that measures 22 inches by 5 yards.  If you buy a five yard by 44 inch piece of material, you can rip it down the middle and sew the raw edges.  This way you have two slings, one to wash and one to wear, or one for mom and one for dad.  You will see both sides of the fabric, so get something that looks nice on both the printed and the reverse side of the material.  You can also have an optional piece of material that measures 22 inches by 2 and a half yards for added support.  If you want to use a material with a strong pattern on one side, you can buy 3 yards of material, cut it down the entire length, then sew the two ends together with one printed side facing the front and the other printed side facing away.  This way, when the sling is folded in half along the sewn seam, both printed sides are seen.  Your sling will be a little bit longer.

Cross-carry position

Tying the sling

1. Drape the sling over your left shoulder with the folded edge on the outside. You will be able to open the sling to form a pocket when you are done tying it on. The shorter side should hang to just above your left knee.
2. Hold the sling along the small of your back and fold it up over your right shoulder. Now the folded edge is on the inside along the right side of your neck.
3. Cross the longer side over the shorter side.
4. Put your arm between the two folds of fabric along the small of your back and grab onto the long side of the sling.
5. Pull the long side through the two folds along the small of your back.
6. Tie the two sides together loosely on your right hip. The sling crosses your stomach in front of you.

Putting the baby in the sling

1. Holding the baby facing you against your stomach, pull his right leg through the left side of the crossed sling.
2. Pull the baby’s left leg through the right side of the crossed sling.
3. Smooth each side of the cross sling across the baby’s bottom so that a small seat is formed that covers the baby’s back and bottom and touches the inside of the baby’s knees.
4. For added support you can tie another piece of material around the baby’s stomach and back.
5. Bend over slightly when you want to pull the baby out.

 

* After using this tying method for three months, I have discovered another method which gives even more support to mom's back and to the baby's legs.  Using the five yards of material, and using the full width, instead of letting the shorter side hang over your left knee, find the center of the length at 2 and a half yards and then begin to drape the material over your right shoulder.  This way, you have the same amount of material on each side.  After pulling the fabric between the two folds, grab the other side and pull in the opposite direction through the two folds.  Then you will be able to tie your knot in the front of you on your stomach.  After you have put the baby into the sling, you can bring each side of the seat over the baby's legs, supporting the legs.  Then you can untie the sling, bring each end up over the legs again, and tie the sling on the baby's back.  I fold the ends under the baby's bottom after tying for a neater appearance.  I found that my back has even more support, and the baby's feet don't hang down, but instead are completely supported in a sitting position.  I even found that if I have a shirt that can be pulled down or opened from the top, I can nurse the baby in this sitting position and still be completely covered by the sling.  When the baby falls asleep, I pull each side up over his head so that he isn't disturbed if I need to bend over.  I will try to get pictures of these new instructions soon.  Contact me if you'd like me to notify you when I have the pictures.

 

You can also carry the baby to one side with the cross-carry position.

(Good for breastfeeding!)

1. Open the sling on your left side to form a pocket.
2. Sit the baby in the pocket
3. Pull the right side of the crossed sling over the baby’s bottom.
4. Hold the baby on your left hip, or in front of you.

You can reverse the tying directions to carry the baby on your right hip.

1. Drape the sling over your right shoulder with the folded edge on the outside. You will be able to open the sling to form a pocket when you are done tying it on. The shorter side should hang to just above your right knee.
2. Hold the sling along the small of your back and fold it up over your left shoulder. Now the folded edge is on the inside along the left side of your neck.
3. Cross the longer side over the shorter side.
4. Put your arm between the two folds of fabric along the small of your back and grab onto the long side of the sling.
5. Pull the long side through the two folds along the small of your back.
6. Tie the two sides together loosely on your left hip. The sling crosses your stomach in front of you.