Wraparound baby slings
What’s a Wrap Sling?
Wrap or wraparound baby slings are a length of fabric that is tied around you and your baby and secured with a knot. There are two types, the stretchy wrap, and the woven wrap.
Stretchy wraps
What is a Stretchy Wrap then?
- A stretchy wrap is a length of cushy soft fabric which is normally pre-tied before putting your baby in.
Why would I want one?
- Suitable for newborns, these provide just the right amount of comfort and gentle support for smaller babies
- With a stretchy wrap, the wide wrap fabric spreads the weight of your baby across your back and shoulders, with no straps to dig in
- As your baby is held close to your own centre of gravity, you will barely notice their weight
- The one-size wrap fits any size wearer, dads as well as mums, and adjusts to exactly fit each time it is put on
- The baby’s head can be supported by the wrap fabric itself, essential for newborns and older babies when they are sleeping.
- Babies can be put in and out of a stretchy wrap easily for nappy changes and feeding. So you can put the wrap on once in the morning, or before going out in the car, and you’re ready to put your baby in when you need to.
- Stretchy wraps can also be worn under cardies, fleeces, jackets and coats.
Are they suitable for newborns?
- Absolutely Yes!
- Normally tested for babies from 8 pounds, up to around 35 pounds, they are well-suited and recommended for newborns.
- The soft fabric is particularly gentle against a newborn’s skin, plus the stretch of the wrap allows even inexperienced wrappers to get a snug fit which supports a newborn’s spine in its natural shape without slouching.
There seem to be lots of brands, how do I choose?
- They are two types, a 2-way stretch such as the Je Porte Mon Bebe (JPMBB) wraps, or 1-way such as the Moby wraps.
- 2-way wraps can be easier to get to fit snuggly, as they stretch both width-ways and length-ways around you and the baby. 2-way wraps can therefore be better if you are using a wrap for the first time.
- 1-way wraps can seem more supportive, so you benefit from some stretch in a sturdier carrier.
- Some brands contain elastine, some are thinner and lighter. Cheaper brands may be a false economy as after being worn and after a few washes, they may loose their elasticity.
What’s not to like?
- Be prepared to hate tying the wrap before you learn to love it! – it needs practice to master, but a stretchy wrap is more forgiving than a woven wrap, and you’ll master it in no time.
- Expect to use a stretchy wrap until your baby is around 9-12 months; as they grow heavier the fabric is not as supportive and you will need to be looking at other carriers. The exception is the Je Porte Mon Bebe Original (JPMBB), as these are wider and thicker than other stretchy wraps, and can last until your toddler is 36 months, although by that age/size you will probably find an alternative style carrier is easier to use.
- Stretchy wraps are not as supportive as a woven wrap. Some people find that the baby bobs up and down when walking, or the baby can squirm and arch their back – both of these can usually be fixed by taking time to practise and improve positioning, or the solution may be to move on to woven wraps.
- You should have 3 layers (passes) of the fabric for the sling to be sufficiently supportive, which can feel hot. If you put the wrap on over a vest or t-shirt, then use cardies and jackets for layers over, this allows you to adjust your temperature more easily than putting the wrap on top of heavier clothes. Dress your baby in light layers too, in warmer weather try just a poppered vest or just a nappy; leg warmers are great for exposed legs and arms as you can put them on and off without even taking baby out the wrap.
- The long length of fabric can seem daunting, and you may not want to be tying it when out and about. I love being able to tie it before going places in the car – it then becomes easier than other carriers as you pop baby in and out and only need to make small adjustments to ensure it’s still snug.
How do I wrap it?
I’m working on some videos, in the meantime click here to check out the quick vid I did for a Boba Wrap (in the product details).
What can I buy from here?
We sell Je Porte Mon Bebe (JPMBB) Original, Je Porte Mon Bebe (JPMBB) Basic, Boba Wraps, Boba Bamboo Wraps. Click here to view the range.
Woven wraps
What is a woven wrap?
- A woven wrap is a length of woven fabric which you tie around you and your baby
- They come in sizes 1 (shortest) up to size 8 (longest) and are the most versatile and comfiest of all baby carriers
- Being woven, they ‘give’ diagonally, with a natural stretch, some more than others.
Out of stock
Colimaçon & Cei (C&C) Organic Cotton Woven Wrap – Raspberry (Pink)
Price range: £52.50 through £60.00
Why would I want one?
- They are the most versatile of baby carriers, and are suitable for any size baby or toddler and pre-schoolers
- Can be tied to carry baby on your front, back or hip
Are they suitable for newborns?
- Yes
- However new parents might find the prospect of learning and perfecting tying a wrap securely round a small baby daunting.
- New wraps will usually require a period of ‘breaking in’ before they become supple and soft
There seem to be lots of brands, how do I choose?
- Cotton is a popular and affordable choice; fabric blends with linen, wool, hemp are a few of the other options
- A size 6 is a good size to start with as it will allow a range of front and back carries; shorter wraps can be good for quick back carries without lots of trailing fabric, and for hotter weather when you want to minimise the ‘passes’ or layers going over you and your baby.
- We stock 4 ranges of woven wraps at the moment, Neobulle, Colimaçon & Cei, Huckepack and Diva Essenza. These brands are great mid-budget wraps – they are not the cheapest wraps, but we also don’t believe you need to spend hundreds to get a decent wrap.
What’s not to like?
- There are an endless number of carries to try – it may feel like you want to master every carry, but this takes lots of practice and time which you may not have. One favourite carry will see you through.
- There are an endless number of wraps to try – sometimes it might feel like you need them all, but this is a very expensive hobby! Having one or 2 affordable ‘workhorses’ is a great place to start; having a hardwearing cotton wrap you can rely on can be better than having a cupboard of expensive wraps you are scared to use and wash.
What can I buy from here?
- Our selection of Neobulle, Colimaçon & Cei, Huckepack and Diva Essenza wraps can be viewed here.
