Wrap Carrier

March 8, 2010 - 11:36 am EST

Katie and I were outside taking a walk in this beautiful 50 degree weather today, when I was reminded of a post I’ve been meaning to write for a while.

At our baby shower, I was very lucky to have been gifted by my cousins this really cool baby carrier. It’s really just about 5 yards of stretchy fabric with a decorative panel of fabric sewn in the middle. Once you get the hang of how to wrap it around yourself, it becomes the most comfortable carrier I’ve used yet.

I’ve tried one of those structured carriers that you see all over the place, and it puts so much more pressure on your shoulders. I’ve even tried a sling, and still use it occasionally. The sling can be more convenient when you want a quick carrier for a short time, but it’s not quite as comfortable as my wrap. What makes it so comfortable is that the fabric is wide enough that it spreads the weight out over a larger area. Also, the baby is being supported by not just your shoulders, but your waist and hips and back too.

These aren’t the best pictures to really show how the wrap works, but doesn’t she look adorable and cozy? Katie just loved being wrapped up in this in her very early days. If she was fussing, or we had to go out somewhere I’d just wrap her up, and pull one side over her head for support. It’s hard to describe, but you can do it in such a way that doesn’t cover her face, but lets your hands free to do other things (like eat at a restaurant). We didn’t have a stroller very early on, nor even an easily carried car seat. Although, if we had I think I still would have preferred the wrap. Also, if I ever had trouble getting Katie to sleep, she’d zonk right out those first few months if I had her in the wrap (I once slept in the rocker with her in the wrap on a particularly fussy night). Some people have even found clever ways of discreetly nursing with the baby in a wrap. I wasn’t able to do it for various reasons, but it’s great for those that can.

Better pictures and instructions at the website for the vendor that made my wrap: Lovey Duds

One of the things that makes this style of carrier really cool, is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money. You can just buy about 5 yards of the right fabric, and either fold it in half lengthwise, or cut it in half lengthwise and sew the edge. I have a second wrap that I made from fabric I bought.

Categorized: General