A pod (short for podaegi or podegi) is a traditional Korean baby carrier. It consists of a long strap with a wide ‘blanket’ attached, which covers the baby. Instructions for using a more traditional style pod can be found here but the design has been adapted by modern baby carrier makers to create a popular style with a narrower blanket (i.e. one that doesn’t wrap all the way around the wearer’s body) and padded straps, often angled.
Pods intimidate many people, even experienced babywearers. Having only one set of straps looks scary, but the simplicity makes for a fast, secure back carry with less of the tweaking and fiddling you need to do with a wrap or mei tai.
What makes a pod great for back carries?
- Faster and less fiddly than a mei tai, as you only have one set of straps.
- Easier than a ruck with a wrap as you don’t need to create a secure ‘seat’ for the baby with their knees up, or worry about adusting ‘rails’.
- It’s good for tiny babies as there’s no need to spread the baby’s legs to get the carrier between them, like you have to with a mei tai.
- As the baby’s legs can stay together, it can also be suitable for babies who are unable to straddle the wearer because of physiological problems.
- Naturally suited to high back carries, so the baby can see over your shoulder.
- Very versatile in how you tie it – you can distribute the weight to shoulders, torso, chest or a combination.
When should I start doing back carries?
When you need to! Back carries are great for when you’re doing housework involving a lot of bending over, and when the baby would get in the way on your front. This obviously becomes more of an issue as the baby gets older – a tiny newborn is much less obtrusive on your chest than a tall four-month-old who tries to grab everything within reach.
In many traditional cultures babies are carried on their parents’ back from birth, and experienced babywearers in our culture also feel comfortable doing this. The rucksack carry explained below can be done confidently with a baby who has developed some head control. If you are happy to lift up your baby by holding her under her arms, then you can put her on your back.
Always practise over a bed or other soft surface until you are confident.
Rucksack-style pod back carry
There are several different ways to tie a pod. This method is one of the easiest back carries you can do with a narrow blanket pod.
- Sit the baby on the pod in front of you, facing away, with the straps under her arms. Make sure the straps are spread out so they don’t get tangled when you put the baby on your back.
- Reach over and place your hands under the baby’s arms from the front, and hold her firmly with your thumbs in front and the fingers behind her. Hold the straps at the same time. Lift her over your shoulder and on to your upper back. This looks scary but is surprisingly easy and secure.
- Hold one of the baby’s arms and the strap together on one side. This will keep her from slipping off your back. Grab hold of the other strap, pull it over your shoulder and get it snug over your shoulder and under the baby’s arm. Hold the strap firmly between your knees while you deal with the other strap.
- Grab the other strap, pull it over your shoulder and check that it is going under the baby’s arms.
- Holding both the straps, lower the baby a few inches down your back. Keep leaning forward so that she is supported by your back and won’t fall off even if one of the straps slips. You can hold both straps in one hand so that the other is free to support the baby behind your back.
- Holding a strap in each hand, pass them under your arms and cross them under the baby’s bottom, behind her knees. Keep the straps over the blanket.
- Give a big bounce and tighten the straps.
- Tie the straps at your waist, or above your breasts (if you have breasts!).
- Pull down the blanket of the pod so it’s tight over the baby’s bottom.
Variations
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With an older baby or toddler who can spread their legs around your waist, you can tie the straps over one leg and under the other, like with a mei tai or a ruck with a wrap. I use both variations with my nine-month-old baby.
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You can also tie the straps ‘Tibetan style’ – instead of tying at the waist, loop each strap through the opposite shoulder strap and tie at your chest.
There are several alternative ways to tie a pod – check out the instructions here for a few variations. Now get over to the loaner’s database and borrow a pod!
… lovely Pod pics! I just wanted to add that it might help make pods seem less intimidating if you think of it as an adjustable length mei tai – because really, the length of the body is adjusted by the wearer. So many times my daughter would be sitting up, arms out happily.. then arms tucked in… then a little while later, head barely peeping out, as she fell asleep. We carried on like this until she was well into her second year. They are so comfortable and secure up there!
And also… if you wrap or use a mei tai… the same chest belt styles in wrapping can be applied to a pod, and are just as amazingly comfortable across the front. The pod can also do a lovely front carry too!
This was really helpful. I’ve never tried a pod, but it doesn’t seem anywhere near as scary now. Thank you Sarah!
Oh, great…. now you’ve taken the fear away and posted those gorgeous pics, I have to try another carrier!!!! Shame on you, Sarah!
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