Weird World of Wraps!

Two blogs in one week! WoW!

I have had a few people ask me for information on the wrap that I use to wear Harper so I decided to write a blog about the different types of wraps & how they are used!

I originally heard about baby wraps on a message board for AP (attatchment parenting) moms. They looked intriguing and I loved the idea of being able to hold the baby and still have hands free to do things around the house. The wraps looked pretty complicated so Dan (who was VERY skeptical!) and I decided to attend a babywearing 101 class at the local baby boutique. There we learned all about the different types of carriers (wraps, mei tais, ergos, babyhawks, ring slings.......) and were able to try on and play with the different carriers. We figured out pretty quick that we loved the feel and support of the wrap the most!

We also did some research into the benefits of baby-wearing. Not only is it easier for the parents (hands free!) but it is great for the babies as well! When wrapped infants use their core muscles when awake so they get all the benefit of "tummy-time" without having to actually be on their tummy (which my kiddo HATES!). Research has also shown that babies that are worn consistantly learn to talk earlier (due to being at face level with others...easier to mimick) and gain a sense of independence earlier. After all our research Dan and I decided to skip the expensive stroller we had been eyeing for the ease of wrapping! I figured that I would be the one to do the majority of the wearing....but Dan loves wrapping Harper up so we usually end up fighting over who gets to wear her when we go out!

It has been pretty funny seeing the reaction we get when we wear Harper. Most people stare and point but some older folks come up to say how comfy she looks & that they wished they had had one when their kids were little...and some people have come up for a quick demo! No matter what though we definately get attention when we are out with our wrap! :)

Now on to the information!!

TYPES OF WRAPS:

Stretchy: As the name implies, these wraps have quite a bit of stretch to them. Most are made of cotton jersey knit or a stretchy bamboo/cotton blend. The most well known stretch wrap is the Moby. Stretchy wraps are best for the newborn phase when support isn’t an issue. They are easy to “pop” baby in and out of – handy if you are wearing baby a large part of the day. Stretchy wraps are best for front carries, but can also be used for hip carries. They should not be used for back carries.

There are two downsides to stretchy wraps, however. One is that they can get extremely hot due to the material not letting air flow through! I love my Moby but now that we are in the dead of summer it can get unbearable pretty quick when outside....mom & baby end up sweaty messes! The other downside is that because of their stretchiness, they only last until baby is around 12ish pounds. Once baby gets to be heavier than that, the Moby sags too much and isn’t supportive enough, which can be very uncomfortable for the wearer and the wearee. Harper is currently in the 9lb range but I can already feel the difference with sagging!

Woven: German Style Woven wraps are the largest and most diverse category of wraps. Woven wraps are extremely strong (because of the way they are woven) and much cooler than stretchy wraps. They can be worn from the day baby is born until they are well into toddlerhood (although some fabric blends are more supportive than others for heavy toddlers). They come in many different sizes, lengths, and fabric blends, all of which can be very confusing! They can also be worn dozens and dozens of different ways (called ‘carries’) so it’s a bit overwhelming at first. Woven wraps have a bit more of a learning curve and take more than a few tries to get the hang of....but once you do they are amazing! :)

WOVEN BRANDS:

The big names are Didymos, Girasol, BBslen, Ellevill, Natibaby, Vatanai, and Storchenweige.

Didymos – The grand dame of wrap brands, Didymos wraps are more expensive than most but also have the highest retail value. They are available in many blends (cotton, silk, wool), weaves (indios, stripes, jacquards), and thickness – something for everyone. Didymos releases limited edition wraps on a regular basis in addition to their regular line.

Girasol – Girasols are a medium thin wrap available with or without fringe; they have a more blanket like feel than some brands. In addition to the standard line, many shops carry their own exclusive colorways. Girasols are soft and easy to wrap with without any breaking in.

BBslen – Sturdy and wide, BB Slens are great wraps for older babies and toddlers (but they work great for newborns too!). Most are on the thinner side (solids tend to be thinner than stripes). BB Slens are also the least expensive woven and make for a nice wrap for beginners.

Ellevill - Ellevills are currently offered in two main lines, Zara and Jade (mostly cotton with some silks; wool and bamboo blend wraps are coming soon). They are on the thin side (Zaras are thinner while Jades have more bounce) and come in a beautiful array of colors. Ellevill wraps have longer tapers than most brands.

Natibaby – Natibaby wraps come in a variety blends and patterns – cotton, bamboo, silk and wool. They range from thin to medium thick depending on the pattern and blend.

Vatanai – Vatanais are among the thinnest wraps, so a great choice for summer or warm climates. They are also very soft and easy to wrap with – nice for learning to wrap. Vatanais come in jaquards and stripes; the stripes tend to be a bit thinner. Vatanais have longer tapers than most brands.

Storchenweige – A workhorse wrap, Storchs are known for durability and support. Most are medium thick (the Louise Bio wraps are thin). Storchs do require a lot of breaking in when purchased new as they can be very stiff right out of the box!

Choosing a wrap can be overwhelming but the best advice is to browse the available options and choose a colorway that is beautiful to you; if you love the way your wrap looks, you are more likely to learn to use it! There really is no “best brand;” each brand has its fans. That said, you may also want to take in to consideration things like the climate you are in (you would likely want to avoid something thick if you live in a hot region). Some wraps take some work to “break-in”; if you don’t want to deal with this stage, buy a used wrap or a brand that it “soft out of the box.” All wraps will wrap more easily after a few washes and some use.

I just purchased my first woven wrap today (used as I didn't want to take the time to break it in!)and I am so so so excited about it! I purchased a Didymos Colbalt Rouge in a size 6! Here is a great action shot of the wrap:

I love love love the color! :)

SIZING:

When looking for woven wraps, you will notice they come in many different sizes ranging from size 2 (2.7 meters) all the way up to size 7 (5.1 meters). The sizes usually work out like this:

size 2 - 2.7 meters
size 3 - 3.1 meters
size 4 - 3.6 meters
size 5 - 4.1 meters
size 6 - 4.6 meters
size 7 - 5.1 meters

While the size of the wearer is a factor in choosing a wrap size, it has more to do with what carries you are looking to do. If you are beginner, you want a wrap size that will allow you to do a lot of different carries so that you can test them out and find your favorites. For most average sized people, this is a size 6 wrap. If you are plus sized, then you would likely want a size 7, and if you are petite, a size 5 would most likely be enough. Most wrappers go shorter as they get better at wrapping and figure out which type of carries they like to do!

CARRIES:

Now on to the fun part!! There are MANY different types of carries so I'm just going to pull a few of the most popular ones such as the: Front Wrap Cross Carry, Pocket Wrap Cross Carry, Back Wrap Cross Carry, Double Hammock, Rucksack/Ruck Under Bum Carry, and the Kangaroo Carry.

Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) - The FWCC is probably the easiest one to start with for a beginner, mostly because it’s the one carry that you can tie first before you put the baby in (and then adjust, obviously). This carry is great for newborns and uses a long length of wrap.

Here is a great video showing you how to wrap a FWCC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0bfAIy8SJQ

Pocket Wrap Cross Carry (PWCC) - PWCC is the most commonly used stretchy wrap carry (can be pre-tied with a stretchy). It is the same thing as a FWCC except the pocket will be on the outside. This carry doesn’t work as well with woven wraps as it is harder to tighten. This is the carry that we almost always use with Harper in her Moby! :)

PWCC Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44snbbszTps&feature=related

Back Wrap Cross Carry (BWCC) - BWCC is a good starter back carry because it uses the same mechanics as front wrap cross carry. There are three variations: chest belt, crossed in front, and ruck straps. The chest belt and crossed in front versions generally use a long wrap. The ruck straps version can be done with a size or so shorter. BWCC is good for all ages and can be done legs in for newborns.

BWCC Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2RKIICc-CY

Double Hammock (DH) - Many wrappers find the DH (also known as the Chunei Back Carry) to be the most supportive carry and most comfortable for long term wearing. It’s a bit trickier to learn though, so probably not the best for beginners. Once you get the Rucksack down pat, you should be good to go for trying this one DH will take slightly more length than you will need for a FWCC. There is also a “tied under the bum” version that can be done with a mid-length wrap. DH can be done with all ages and can be done legs in for newborns.

Video showing how to wrap a Double Hammock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMW_GUkMdZw

Rucksack/Ruck Under Bum Carry (RUB) - This is probably the best back carry for beginners as it’s the easiest and quickest to learn when you are just starting. It can be used with babies who have good head and neck control (usually around the three month mark and older). Ruck is easiest to get high on your back. RUB is a great toddler carry since it allows for easy ups and downs.

Rucksack Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc2F2oyDqns

Kangaroo Carry - Kangaroo is a single layer front carry and is great with shorter wraps (size 4s). It can be a little trickier but it is nice to only cart around a small wrap sometimes! :) This is the carry that is being done in the action shot of my Didymos!

Kangaroo Carry Video (sorry it's in German but you get the point!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfuoWaK9I7Q&feature=related

You can find more carries with photos and video instructions here:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php?page=WrapInstructionsChart

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

• As with any carrier, you want the wrap to support baby out to his knees. Knees should be slightly higher than baby’s bum. Newborns can be wrapped with their legs froggied. There is no rule as to when you can wrap legs out – follow your baby’s cues as to which way he’d rather have his legs. The good thing about wraps is that the seat can be made as narrow as need be so that even small babies can be legs out.


• Babies should be wrapped arms in until they have good head and trunk control. This will keep them well supported. You can also use the wrap to support a sleeping baby’s head. Older babies may prefer arms out; if they fall asleep, re-wrapping arms in will provide them more head support.


• Make sure that baby’s airway is always clear (the wrap should never cover the face).


• Tightening is key. If you take the time to work the slack out of the wrap, you will be rewarded with a more comfortable carry. Stretchy wraps will stretch more than you think – pull them tight!
  Spreading the wrap carefully is also key. Tightening and spreading will help you avoid pressure points from the wrap and will more evenly distribute the weight.


• If you are wrapping a small baby, you may find it easier to fold the wrap in half before wrapping (the side where the rails meet should be up so that you have a pocket for baby).


• Babies should be worn nice and high in front carries. For newborns and small babies, a good rule of thumb is “high enough to easily kiss baby’s head.” Older babies and toddlers will be more face to face with you in front carries. Carrying too low is a common beginners mistake that can lead to back pain.


• It is best to master a front wrap or two before attempting back wrapping.


• You can back wrap even very small babies; however, it is recommended that you not do so unless you are an experienced wrapper or have an experienced wrapper to assist you. Babies who have good head control are easier to back wrap. There is also tricky stage when babies learn to roll and crawl that can make learning back wrapping challenging. 3-5 months is probably the easiest stage to learn back wrapping as baby has enough head control to be stable but isn’t so wiggly that he will try to escape. Of course, you should always use your best judgment.


• When learning to back wrap, it is best if you can do so over a soft surface like a bed (or have a spotter). Wrapping in front of a mirror is also helpful. A car window makes a great mirror on the go once you are ready to take your wrapping on the road.


• When you are ready to learn a new carry, watch several videos. There are different techniques and pointers that different wrappers will use/give, so watching multiple sources will help you find the method that will click for you.


• Practice makes perfect! It may take multiple attempts to get a carry just right so keep working at it.

I think that is about it! Whew! Hopefully this helps answer some questions about using wraps to baby wear! Feel free to ask any other questions you have. I love wrapping Harper and plan to do it until she won't let me anymore (usually around 2-3yrs old). I am really excited to use them on our trips to Europe! So much easier than a stroller! :)