Wraps, Wraps, and More Wraps!

Family & Parenting, Lifestyle & Home, Living with RA, Parenting

Discover the most versatile way to carry your newborn, infant, or toddler! Baby wraps are the perfect way to stay connected and still get things done.

Wraps have seen a resurgence in recent years because they are both practical and a great way to bond with your baby. Using a wrap decreases crying by 43% overall and 51% at night according to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics. It also helps new moms feel more confident when caring for their newborns. I know that it really helped me feel comfortable, and I was able to learn what his sounds and cries meant fairly early on because he was so close.

If you’ve never used one before, it can be a bit overwhelming when you realize how many varieties there are. In this post, I’ll discuss the different types and which work best for what situations.

Wrap Types

Standard Wrap
Ring Sling
Pouch
ABC (Asian Baby Carrier)
Hybrid Wrap

Traditional Wrap

Most people think of the traditional wrap when they think of a baby wrap. It’s an obscenely long piece of fabric that when twisted, wrapped, and tied magically turns into a safe and fashionable way to keep your baby close. While they can be intimidating at first, the standard wrap is the most versatile style of wrap available with literally hundreds of different ways you can use it meaning you can find the best fit for both you and your baby.

These wraps come in various sizes, colors, and fabrics. There are lightweight ones for summer, heavier varieties for winter, and even mesh ones made for fun excursions into a pool or at the beach. There are short ones for basic wraps and longer ones to allow you to do more complex wraps or accommodate a bigger frame (men can use wraps too!). The colors and patterns are endless, and I will warn you that once you get into babywearing, you might find yourself with a small collection of wraps because you thought they were pretty!

When you are first learning to wrap your baby, I recommend either watching a lot of YouTube videos or finding a local babywearing group to help you get comfortable with it. Once you are, it will be second nature though you may want to learn new wraps as your baby grows. Diana of WrapYourBaby.com has some great tutorials with both videos and step-by-step pictures on different wraps. I highly recommend checking out her site for some ideas if you plan on going this route.

The main traditional wrap that I use is one that I made myself. While you can buy wraps online that are gorgeous, if you have a little bit of sewing skill, they are very simple to make and a lot less expensive that way. A typical wrap online will run between $75 and $300. To make one, you only need 3 to 6 yards of fabric depending on the strength and type.

Ring Sling

Ring slings are a lot less intimidating than a traditional wrap since they don’t require any special wrapping or tying to work. They rely on 2 rings to adjust the length and form a loop of fabric that goes over one shoulder and across your body. The fabric forms a pouch for an infant to be cradled in or an older child to sit in.

The advantage to this type of wrap is it’s easy to put on and take off. Once adjusted to the correct length, it makes a great wrap for on the go where you may not want to take a traditional wrap with you. The only disadvantage is that it’s not as secure for a wiggly baby without keeping your hands on them constantly whereas a traditional wrap is much more hands-free.

For Dom, I bought a cotton one that works wonderfully for those quick trips out. We also picked up a mesh sling for use in the shower or pool to help with holding him.

Pouch

A pouch is just like a ring sling only it’s a fixed length without the rings. Since it can’t be adjusted, you’ll want to be sure that you get the correct size so that your baby isn’t tucked up under your chin or laying down around your belly.

ABC - Asian Baby Carrier

There are a few different styles of ABCs available. The most well-known one in the US is the Mei Tai (背带), also known as a Bei Dai or Meh Dai, which is the traditional Chinese carrier. The Mei Tai is a rectangle of fabric with 4 straps coming off the corners. It’s very easy to use and is a good basic carrier for parents who don’t feel comfortable or have a need for a more traditional wrap.

To put it on, you simply tie the bottom straps around your waist, put your baby in, pull the top straps over your shoulders, cross them over your back, and then either tie them under your little one’s butt or wrap them under your baby and tie them around your waist.

Another common one in the US is the Onbuhimo (おんぶひも) which is the traditional Japanese carrier. It’s similar to the Mei Tai except that instead of straps on the bottom of the carrier, it has 2 rings or loops that the top straps run through to secure it.

Both of these carriers are becoming easier to find in the US and there are also many free patterns available if you wish to make your own. This pattern by Jan Andrea for a Mei Tai is an excellent example of how easy they can be to make.

Hybrid Wrap

Hybrid wraps are getting very popular because they are much easier for new moms especially if you didn’t have time or access to learn how to properly use a traditional wrap before your baby arrived. Hybrid wraps are ones that offer the benefit of a hands-free way to keep your baby close without all the tying and such of the more traditional varieties.

These include wraps such as the Moby Fit which we got for when Dom was a newborn. It goes on very much like a t-shirt, slipping over the head, and then you can easily tuck your infant inside, snuggled safely against you. This is a stretchy wrap (think the same fabric as a knit shirt) so it’s easier to put on first and then put the baby in or take him out without moving the wrap or undoing anything. The downside to this is that as your baby gets heavier, they will stretch it out. The Moby Fit claims to handle babies up to 33 lbs but I found that as Dom neared the 15 lb mark, he was sagging quite a lot in this wrap, stretching out the fabric.

Conclusion:

Wraps are a great way to feel connected to your baby and make your life easier by lending an extra hand in carrying them around. I’m honestly not sure that I would have made it through the first few months with ours and to this day, still prefer to carry him that way since it takes the strain off my arms and joints.

Do you have a favorite wrap, carry, or experience to share? Feel free to leave it in the comments below!