Every mom you know has probably told you that you’ll regret not using a baby carrier (I’m one of those moms). However, there are so many wraps out there, that it can be confusing for moms and dads to figure out what type of baby wrap to use much less how to use it. And you’ve likely heard or seen terms online like carrier, ring sling and infant wrap. These terms, and baby gear in general, can be really confusing.
In this post, we’ll go over why you’d want a baby wrap, how to tie a baby wrap and tips for tying and using a baby wrap.
Why Should You Use a Baby Wrap?
Why Should You Use a Baby Wrap?If you’re like me, you can’t seem to make any big, or slightly big, decisions without drafting up a Rory Gilmore-style pro-con list. Here’s yours for a baby wrap carrier.
Pros:
1. Wraps are an ideal tool for early postpartum days
Baby wraps are an excellent choice for mamas in the early days postpartum. While several of our carriers are newborn friendly (like the Omni 360) and can be used from birth on up, a baby wrap like the Aura Baby wrap can be extra cozy and snuggly, especially in the early days postpartum where you’ll mostly be home, bonding, cuddling, feeding, and napping.
2. Bond with your baby during the fourth trimester
The benefits of holding baby close to you are many. The fourth trimester refers to the first three months after birth and it’s when your little one is moving from the familiar comfort of your warm, dark womb to a new environment full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. At this time, baby is adjusting to a time of enormous change and development. Babywearing and baby wraps in particular can help support this transition for baby by keeping baby close and connected to you. They need a lot of touch, containment, and holding. Whether wrapped up in a baby wrap or in a carrier, babywearing promotes that critical bond between you and your child during the days that matter most. Babywearing allows you to stay connected and close throughout the day and attuned to baby’s cues and needs.
3. Kangaroo Care or skin-to-skin is easily accessible with the Aura Baby Wrap
The benefits of skin to skin contact are innumerable. Essentially, this means holding baby skin to skin against mother (or father’s) chest.
“Skin to skin contact has been demonstrated as key component to help a baby regulate his heart and breathing rate, maintain body temperature, gain weight, enhance his immune system, spend more time in deep, restful sleep, and while awake it can aid in more quiet and alert time, fewer crying hours and make him more amenable to breastfeeding.
4. Baby wraps are comfortable, snuggly, and soft
If you haven’t tried our Aura Baby Wrap, the material is soft, cozy, and lightweight. Depending on the type of birth experience you’ve had (such as a C-section or for anyone those first 40 days), the bulkiness of a carrier waist belt or a large buckle may not be ideal right away as your body and skin are healing. The soft material of the baby wrap may be ideal for you and won’t put too much pressure around your waist or any scarring you may have. The compression of the wrap may even feel supportive and helpful or you can try tying off the wrap above your incision if you’ve had a C-section.
5. Leave the wrap on while running errands
While you can’t leave baby in the wrap in the car for obvious reasons, you can wear your wrap like a fashion statement and keep it ready to go for baby. It’s comfortable to wear you can easily leave it on and ready for baby as you go out and about without having to take the full wrap on and off.
6. Hands-free
This is really a benefit of any baby carrier, but freeing up your hands to around the house or out in the world is one of the most brilliant aspects of babywearing.
Cons:
Not always ideal for older babies
As babies grow older, their increased weight and boundless curiosity about the world might pose a slight challenge when using baby wraps. Maneuvering an active, more substantial little one into a wrap can initially seem a tad more intricate than with a newborn. However, with adaptable wrapping techniques and a bit of adjustment, caregivers can tailor the wrap to accommodate the growing baby’s weight and restless energy.
There’s a learning curve
Mastering the art of using baby wraps often comes with a gentle learning curve, much like tying the perfect knot or finding the ideal snug fit. Initially, it might feel like navigating uncharted waters, but with practice, patience, and a sprinkle of trial and error, caregivers soon find their rhythm, turning those initial fumbles into confident, graceful wraps that cocoon their little one with ease. The learning curve evolves into a journey of discovery, transforming uncertainties into a skillful dance of comfort and closeness between parent and baby.
How to Tie a Baby Wrap
Let’s address one of the main cons in the above list and talk more about how to tie a baby wrap. Compared to soft-structured baby carriers (ones with padded straps and a waist belt) or even a ring sling (long, rectangular piece of cloth with two rings sewn into an end), baby wrap carriers (a long piece of rectangular fabric wrapped entirely around the caregiver’s and baby’s bodies and tied to secure it) typically take a little more time and practice to get used to correctly tying for first-time baby wrap users. But once you get the hang of it, tying a wrap will become second nature to you.
While you can use different carrying positions with most baby wraps—front inward facing, hip carry and back carry for example—the most common position is the front inward facing carry, especially for newborns. This easy-to-follow video visually guides you through these steps so you can watch to make sure you’re correctly tying your Ergobaby Aura Baby Wrap.
Front Inward Facing Carry Instructions
- Unfold the wrap and find the center of it.
- Place the center of the wrap on your body (across or just under your chest) and gather the top half of the fabric.
- While holding the wrap, cross your hands behind your back and then pull them up to tighten the wrap and over your shoulders. This should form an “X” across your back.
- Gather the fabric, tuck it through the top half of the fabric that’s around the center on the front of your body and then cross it in front of you down by your waist. You should now have an “X” high on your chest. The higher the “X”, the higher on your chest your baby will sit.
- Tie the baby wrap around your waist in a double knot. You can tie it in the front, on your side or behind your back, wherever you feel most comfortable. Depending on your size and length of the fabric, you might wrap it around your waist once or a couple of times.
- Check the front to make sure you left enough space for your baby, about 6-8 inches. Also, check the neckline to make sure it’s in the right place and that the fabric feels secure and comfortable over your shoulders.
- Now it’s time to pick up your baby!
- Lay your baby, who’s facing you, against you over your side and shoulder that’s opposite of the wrap’s inside panel (the one closest to your body). Put his leg in through the inside panel first and then his other leg in through the other panel, or outside panel.
- You now have an X-seated position for your baby, and you’re going to pull the inside panel over his back so it’s all the way across, knee to knee, on the bottom. His back, bottom and thighs should be covered by the inside panel.
- Now repeat step 10 with the outside panel. After both panels are pulled across his back, double check that he is sitting ergonomically in an M-shape position.
- Take both of baby’s legs and put them through that outside, horizontal panel (the one across your body that you pushed down earlier) and pull it up all the way until it’s under baby’s neck.
- Lastly, tuck the bottom under his knees to make sure he’s still in the M-position and that your baby is comfortably and safely inside the wrap.
This easy-to-follow video visually guides you through these steps so you can watch to make sure you’re correctly tying your Ergobaby Aura Baby Wrap.
Tips for Tying and Using a Baby Wrap
Choosing The Perfect Baby Wrap for You
Choosing the perfect baby wrap is a blend of personal preference and practical considerations. Start by considering the fabric—some prefer the softness of cotton, while others opt for the elasticity of bamboo or the support offered by linen. Assess your lifestyle too; if you’re constantly on the move, a lightweight, breathable wrap might suit you best, whereas a sturdier one could be ideal for longer carrying sessions.
Pay attention to the wrap’s length and width, ensuring it accommodates your body size and allows for the wrapping styles you prefer. Lastly, explore the designs and patterns available—beyond aesthetics, these can also guide you in understanding the wrap’s different tying options and versatility. Ultimately, the best baby wrap is the one that aligns with your comfort, lifestyle, and bonding needs, facilitating a seamless and delightful experience for both you and your little one.
Tips and Tricks to Using a Baby Carrier
- Now that you know how to tie a baby wrap, here are some tips so you can know for sure that you and your baby will be safe and comfortable while using a baby wrap:
- Make sure the wrap is snug and comfortable for both of you. If the wrap doesn’t feel right, do three things: 1) Undo the wrap (without your baby in it) and tighten it. 2) Make sure the straps across your back are in a flat “X” position. 3) Be sure the “X” on your back is in the center of your back or up a little higher if you’re carrying a bigger baby.
- Make sure you have the right size. A question you might have when looking at baby wraps is, “What size of baby wrap do I need?” If you’re looking at a woven wrap, they come in basic sizes of size 1 up to size 8. Determining what size of baby wrap you need depends on the type of carries you plan to do, the fabric’s blend or thickness, what size you are and the size of your baby. But with other wraps, like the Aura Baby Wrap, you don’t have to worry about sizing. The Aura is a one size wrap that fits petite to plus-size wearers.
- Check and see if you can fit two fingers underneath your baby’s chin. Her chin needs to be up off her chest so her airways remain open to breathe.
- Always check that you can see your baby’s face. Whether your baby is awake, asleep or nursing, and even if your wrap is made of lightweight fabric, you don’t want her face smashed against your body or any fabric over her face. Gently turn your baby’s face to one side so it’s not pressed against you and move the fabric so it’s positioned off her face every time she’s in the wrap.
- Make sure your baby’s head, neck and back are totally supported with the wrap.
- She should be close against your body, not leaning away from you, with her back in a “C” position and her legs in an “M’ position.
- She should be high enough on your chest that you can lean down and kiss the top of her head.
- Remember it may take a minute or a few tries before your baby likes or feels comfortable in the wrap. So if your baby is fussy when you put her in, do your best to soothe her by softly bouncing, rocking back and forth, rubbing her back and/or quietly talking to her, and be kind and give yourself and her enough time to get used to it.
As your baby gets older, you can try out the other baby wrap carry positions with an all-position carrier. Hip carry is best for babies who are around 5-6 months old and older who have good head and neck control.
The back carry with a baby wrap is not a recommended carry position for infant wrap use because the infant’s head and neck wouldn’t be supported. It’s best to try out the back carry when your child is around 1 year old and has great head, neck and upper body control. Or better yet, use a soft-structured carrier that’s made for safe, supportive back carrying.
If you’re in the market for a versatile carrier, be sure to take a look at the offerings from Ergobaby.
