What is a Pelvic Tuck and Why is it so Important?

What is a Pelvic Tuck and Why is it so Important?

You'd be forgiven for wondering if a 'pelvic tuck' was the latest surgery touted by Hollywood stars or something you might hear in a pilates class, but it's actually a lot more simple than that! The pelvic tuck is a quick and easy technique that ensures your baby is correctly seated in their carrier, ensuring they have optimal positioning and making it comfier for them and you!

Here's Hannah Wallace of WearMyBaby to show you how it's done:


Or, if you're more of a written instructions kind of learner, then scroll down for a handy graphic. Pro tip - save the images to your camera roll for easy double-checking while you're out and about as it's a great idea to do a pelvic tuck every time you pop your baby in the carrier.

Front Inward Facing

1. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Inward Facing We recommend doing a pelvic tuck every time your baby goes into the carrier but here's a couple of visible signs you can look out for:

  • Your baby's legs are 'dangling', aka their knees are lower than their bottom and the carrier fabric doesn't spread from knee to knee
  • Their weight is resting on their crotch not their bottom
  • They are seated too high in the carrier e.g. their bottom is propped up on the waistband rather than deep in the fabric seat
2. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Inward Facing | Correction 1 Insert hands under your baby's upper thighs.
3. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Inward Facing | Correction 2 Rotate your baby's hips towards your body to sit them deeper into the seat. Weight should be on the baby's bum with the knees higher than his/her bum. This forms an "M" shape.
4. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Inward Facing | Correction 3 Your baby should now be seated comfortably with the carrier supporting them from knee to knee.

Outward Facing

1. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Outward Facing We recommend doing a pelvic tuck every time your baby goes into the carrier but here's a couple of visible signs you can look out for:

  • Your baby's legs are 'dangling', aka their knees are lower than their bottom and the carrier fabric doesn't spread from knee to knee
  • Their weight is resting on their crotch not their bottom
  • They are seated too high in the carrier e.g. their bottom is propped up on the waistband rather than deep in the fabric seat
2. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Outward Facing | Correction 1 Insert hands under your baby's upper thighs.
3. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Outward Facing | Correction 2 Rotate your baby's hips away from your body to sit them deeper into the seat. Weight should be on the baby's bum with the knees higher than his/her bum. This forms an "M" shape.
4. Pelvic Tuck | Incorrect Outward Facing | Correction 3 Your baby should now be seated comfortably with the carrier supporting them from knee to knee.

 


And the same rules apply for hip and back carry positions too! If you need any more help or advice on your baby's positioning don't forget you can always email our qualified Babywearing Consultants at customersupport@ergobaby.co.uk or get in touch via Facebook or Instagram.