First of all don't panic! We have all been there, a brand new doll and no idea how to lift and carry them. So here is a little guide and video explaining as best I can of the technique I use to lift and move my two dolls. I have never suffered a back injury yet so I must be doing something right?
Stupidly, I call the Bridal Lift the Firemans lift on the video (Duh!!!) I adlib so make mistakes, but mostly the info is what i wanted to say.
Here's the Summary
Lifting from an elevated surface such as a bed or sofa.
The technique for lifting a dolls from an elevated surface such as a bed is as follows.
- Make sure that her knee joints are locked straight and that her feet for facing forward.
- Part her arms slightly so her fingers aren't at risk during maneuver.
- Swing her legs off the edge of the bed
- Step between her legs with one of your own legs, hold her shoulder blades with the palms of your hands and keeping your back as straight as you can, pull doll onto her heels so you can use them as a pivot. Shuffle backwards taking small steps, pull doll with you pivoting upright on their heels.
Once the doll is standing upright, prepare for "Bear Hug" Lift.
- The bear-hug. Crouch down keeping your spine as straight as possible. Hold doll under buttocks and around the small of their back, hugging doll tightly to you straighten your legs and the doll should raise off the ground.
The can carry your doll this way and place down on their feet where you would like them to stand them.
Standing against a wall or the back of a sofa
Always splay the feet slightly when standing a long time so there is no chance of them falling sidewards. There should be enough angle leaning back that she won't suddenly begin to topple forward. Always hold your doll a couple of inches or so away from the wall they are resting against, and let go to make sure they fall back into place OK.
Sitting your Doll
Start by lying your doll down on an elevated surface such as a bed or sofa.
Bend the legs into a sitting position while the doll is lying on her back
Pivot the doll around into a front sitting position. Make sure hands are elevated out of the way of the seat so the fingers are not knocked or bent out of shape.
Bridal Lift
This lift is used to move your doll from one location to another, where chances are you will be putting your doll into a sitting position. To do this lift lay your doll on her back and put her legs into a sitting position (as above). Place one hand behind her shoulder or neck (not head) and the other under her knees, Keeping your back as straight and as still as you can, stand up taking the weight of the doll with you.
