Back carries are easy and useful to learn, but working out how to get your baby onto your back in the first place can initially be a bit daunting!

In this guide we show you 3 simple ways of getting your baby onto your back ready to be wrapped. We also share some techniques for building your confidence generally when it comes to back wrapping so that you can enjoy all the brilliant benefits of carrying your baby on your back.

How old does my baby need to be before I start back carrying?

You can use a woven wrap from any age, so long as you are able to protect and monitor your baby’s airway during the carry. That might be newborn, but only if you have the wrapping skills and experience to ensure their head stays clear of their chest. 
Most people will wait until their baby has built enough core strength to control their own head and help protect their own airway. 

How do I prepare for back carrying?

There are a few things that you can do to build your confidence before you start wrapping. The process is much easier if you and your baby are both relaxed!

• Build your trust in the wrap. Follow the first few stages of the santa toss and get comfortable having the wrap support your baby’s weight. Older children might enjoy having the wrap turned into a swing or hammock. 
• Sitting on a couch or next to a bed, practice the basic movements involved in getting your baby onto your back. Take it slowly. You can also have partner place your baby onto you back while you are seated and just get used to the feel of their position and the placement of your arm under your baby.

How to get your baby onto your back!

There are 3 main techniques for getting your baby onto your back. We prefer the santa toss, but we’ve demonstrated all 3 of them in this video.

Santa Toss

• Secures the baby in the wrap from the start. The wrap is tight around baby and takes all of their weight.
• Has more steps to follow whilst baby is in front of you.
• Makes the seat and adjusts the wrap before you move the baby onto your back.
• Baby goes over one of your shoulders, keeping contact with your body at all times.
• You find it easier to remain upright during the process because the cloth is supporting your baby. it is important to stay in a naturally upright position as you wrap, to allow the wrap to support your baby’s natural weight distribution. If you are bending over as you wrap then your baby’s weight will shift as you stand back up, and that might make your carry less comfy.

Hip Scoot

• Baby slides from your front to back under one of your arms. 
• The wrap is spread over baby’s back

Superman Toss

• Baby goes over one of your shoulders.
• Can be a good option for larger babies and toddler.

The santa toss step by step instructions

This is our tutorial for performing the santa toss. Despite the word ‘toss’, your baby is actually just guided over your shoulder using a little momentum, keeping contact with your body throughout the whole movement. You can lie smaller babies on the wrap on a flat surface as you adjust the cloth round them. Older babies and toddlers can straddle your leg as your adjust the cloth which can be a  more practical option out and about. You baby doesn’t need to be sitting unaided to do this as the wrap will be taking their weight.