Master your Stretchy Wrap: Pocket Wrap Cross Carry Photo-Tutorial

This tutorial is also available in Spanish. Click here for a translation.

Put on the wrap:

Step 1:
To begin, locate the middle marker tag in the center of your wrap. Place the middle marker at the center of your chest.

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Step 2:
Holding the middle marker in the center of your chest with your left hand, use your right hand to reach behind you for the top edge of the left side of the wrap. Bring the wrap under your left arm, across your back, and over your right shoulder so that it spreads out wide across your back without bunching or twisting.

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Step 3:
Repeat step two on the other side. Holding the middle marker in place with your right hand, use your left hand to reach behind you for the top edge of the right side of the wrap. Bring the wrap under your right arm, across your back, and over your left shoulder so that it spreads out wide across your back without bunching or twisting.

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Step 4:
Now, you have an X of fabric over your back. In the front, you have a horizontal piece of fabric and two hanging tails. Neatly bunch the horizontal part.

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step 5: Bring the two tails through the bunched horizontal piece.

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Step 6. Pull down on the two tails to tighten.

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Step 7. Next, tighten just the top edge of the wrap. To do this, pull upward on the fabric at closest to your neck on the left side. You should feel the top of the horizontal piece tighten on the right side. Bring the excess slack that you found down, under the horizontal pass.

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Step 8: Do this on both sides. Pull upward on the fabric closest to your neck on the right side. You should feel the top of the horizontal piece tighten on the left side. Pull the slack that you found down, under the horizontal piece.

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Step 9. Pull downward to tighten once more. Then cross the two tails just above your belly button. Tie a double knot in back.

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Step 10: Pull the horizontal pass in front down so that it is out of the way for the moment.

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Step 11: Press both hands down on the cross passes to make room for your baby. Now you are ready to pick up your baby!

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Put baby in the wrap:

Step 12:
Hold your baby on your left shoulder as if you are going to burp the baby. Reach one hand under the right side diagonal pass and guide baby’s leg through that fabric.

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Step 13: Switch baby to your right shoulder. Supporting baby with your right hand, use your left hand to guide baby’s leg through the left side diagonal pass.

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Step 14: Seat baby down on the two diagonal passes. Check that baby has one leg through each pass.

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Step 15:
Take a moment to position the baby comfortably. Baby should be positioned high on your body so that you can easily kiss the baby’s head. Baby’s legs should be in a spread squat position with knees higher than bottom.

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Step 16: 
Once baby is properly positioned, find the top edge of the bottom diagonal pass and pull it up to spread the wrap over baby’s back. If baby prefers to be arms in, the wrap should go to the nape of baby’s neck. If the baby prefers to be arms out, the wrap should go up to baby’s shoulders. Check that the bottom edge of the fabric goes from knee to knee on the baby and that baby’s knees are slightly higher than baby’s bottom.

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Step 17: Repeat step 16 with the top diagonal pass. Spread the fabric up over baby’s back to the shoulders or nape of baby’s neck. Make sure that the bottom edge extends from knee to knee.

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Step 18: Now, locate the horizontal piece that you moved down in step 10. Guide baby’s legs through the horizontal piece one at a time.

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Step 19: Spread the horizontal pass fabric up over baby’s back, to the nape of baby’s neck or to baby’s shoulders.

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Step 20: Check that the bottom edge of the wrap extends from knee to knee on baby and that baby is positioned with knees slightly higher than bottom.

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Step 21: To move the fabric off of baby’s face, pull the edge closest to your neck away from your neck to the outside of your shoulder. This will keep the fabric off of baby’s face and make it easier for baby to see around.

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Check your carry:

Can you fit two fingers under baby’s chin? Baby’s chin should never be pressed against baby’s chest. If baby’s chin is down, gently reposition baby so that you can fit two fingers under baby’s chin.

Can you see baby’s entire face? It is important to keep your baby’s face clear from fabric. If baby falls asleep, position baby’s face toward one side so that baby’s nose and mouth are not pressed against you. To keep the fabric away from baby’s face while baby’s sleeps, you may choose to cap the shoulder by pulling the top edge of the fabric away from your neck and over your shoulder. This will keep fabric away from baby’s face.

Is baby snug? If you press against baby, does baby move closer to you? If so, the wrap is too loose. Retie the wrap much tighter so that baby is pressed snugly against your body.

Can you easily (without bending down or straining) kiss the top of baby’s head? If not, then baby is too low. If baby is too low, retie the wrap much tighter. Baby’s head should be at the top of your chest, where you can easily kiss baby.

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If you prefer videos, I have two tutorials on YouTube that show this carry.

This video shows how to do the carry with a newborn:

This video shows how to do the carry with an older baby.  The steps are the same, but this video includes tips for getting comfortable and getting baby well positioned that are specific to older babies.

Further Reading:
Babywearing Safety
Positioning a Newborn
Using your Stretchy Wrap Easily for Errands and Outings
Complete Guide to Using your Stretchy Wrap

For more babywearing tips and tutorials:
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Post a photo of your carry on Instagram with the hashtag #wrappingrachel.  I’m happy to offer feedback on your carry or answer questions that you have.  I’ll repost some of the pictures in my hashtag as well!  Happy wrapping!  🙂