Suck Pads / Drool Pads/ Strap Protectors, what ever you call them, they are the best way to protect your baby carrier and investment. Babies explore everything with their mouths and your carrier is not an exception.  Plus we all know straps are delicious. The suck pads I’m making here are called straight suck pads.  They are a rectangle and cover just the strap and are easy to make. You’ll find the free drool pad patterns in the Freebie Library.

This pattern is free- instantly download using the form below. It come in 4 sizes. Wide for Kinderpack and other wide strap carriers.  Standard size for Lillebaby, Tula, Boba, Ergo (original), Ergo Adapt, and many more.  Standard also fit Lenny Lamb, but you need to place the snaps a little closer to the edge (1/4″ away instead of 1/2″).  The Narrow size fits Ergo 360, Ergo Omni 360, Eddie Bauer, and more. Tula Explore has it’s own special size.  There is a size that will fit your carrier.

Suck pads are super easy to make. They are a perfect first project. Seriously once you can turn on and thread your sewing machine you can make these.  All straight stitches, nothing fancy.

Don’t have a sewing machine? Don’t worry, you can make these by hand as well.  You can actually sew anything by hand, but these are simple enough they won’t take you forever.  Plus making them reversible takes no extra time.

I choose to close by suck pads with press on snaps, like KamSnaps or Babyville. If you don’t have this type of snaps, don’t worry. You can use sew on snaps, velcro, or buttons and buttonholes.

 

Some people like corner suck pads because that also protect a bit of the top.  These are great if your kid turns their head to side (or around exorcist style) and chews the top of your carrier as well. You can get some of this benefit from straight suck pads by unsnapping the bottom and sliding them down. They will cover a bit of that corner area. It’s not a perfect solution, but it does work.

I have two videos about making these suck pads. One is an overview and covers the whole process in 2 min, so you can know the basics. Then I have a longer video below that goes step-by-step.  I know it’s hard to sew along with a the video, so you can get the free pattern here. come with complete photo tutorials and instructions.  Plus you can always get more help by messaging me theninja@fabricninja.com or joining the Fabric Ninja Sewing Circle Group on Facebook.

Here is a quick over view  – Suck Pads in 2 minutes – Short Video

Phew, that was fast.  Don’t let it freak you out. I just wanted to get your feet wet.  Now that you know the basics I go through it all slower and in more detail.

How to Make Suck Pads – Longer Video

Are you ready to make your own?  Instantly download the size you need using the form below. 

Happy sewing!

Alice, The Fabric Ninja

Want to remember this? Save to this Free Suck Pad pattern and tutorial to your favorite pin board.