First a little history, and an opportunity to show my age:
Kristi, the founder of Wrapsody, recently published a blog post about new-fangled wrap carries and how wrappers nowadays give every variation a different name. She and I are both accustomed to customizing a carry as needed without changing the name (perhaps it is not a coincidence that she was one of my online wrap mentors when I was learning, though she didn’t know it). Instead of “Front Double Hammock” I did a “Front Cross Carry with the crosses over both legs.”
Later, a pass that went from shoulder to hip and did not cross between baby’s legs began to be referred to as a Rebozo pass, and here’s a video I made in 2010 demonstrating how to insert your baby under both crosses of the Front Cross Carry:
And here’s one I made around the same time, demonstrating a Burp Hold:
This brings up an interesting point of distinguishing a “hold” from a “carry.” To me, a carry has always been how you tie on the wrap, whereas a hold refers to the position of the baby inside the wrap. Baby can be in an upright hold, cradle hold, football hold, etc in any of the many carries. Nowadays babywearing educators almost always recommend the upright hold, so it has become less necessary to differentiate.
So this burp hold was done with a Front Cross Carry. And this Front Cross Carry could also be called a Front Double Hammock because it is done with two rebozo passes instead of cross passes. But then again, it was the fashion at the time to keep a newborn’s legs “froggied” inside the wrap in all of the carries. So any newborn carry had rebozo passes instead of cross passes and you just added “with legs froggied” to the name of the carry instead of giving it a new name.
It wasn’t just Front Cross Carry. If my baby fell asleep in a Back Wrap Cross Carry and I wanted to provide head support, I would often untie and change the top layer of the carry from a cross pass that went between baby’s legs to a rebozo pass that made it easier to get the wrap positioned high over the back of baby’s head. This variation also happens to be great for reigning in a baby who likes to lean back in a Back Wrap Cross Carry.
As far as I know, no one has given a new name to the BWCC variation with rebozo passes YET.
Helpful Terminology:
As wrapping has taken root anew in this culture, more specific terminology has developed around it and this is good. It helps us to communicate about it. Since most of us do not share a physical village with other wrappers, our online village needs some clear communication for long distance support and assistance.
Every wrap carry is made up of one or more passes and these are the most common:
Rucksack pass goes straight across baby and then up over both of the wearer’s shoulders.
Horizontal pass goes straight across baby and then under both of the wearer’s arms.
Rebozo pass goes diagonally across baby from over one of the wearer’s shoulders to under the wearer’s opposite arm.
Cross pass goes diagonally across baby from over one of the wearer’s shoulders, in between baby’s legs, to under the wearer’s opposite arm.
Once you understand the passes well, and are familiar with the properties of each kind of pass, it is easy to customize a wrap carry just for you.
The difference between a Front Cross Carry and a Front Double Hammock Carry is that FDHC is a FCC with rebozo passes instead of cross passes.
I think it might be easier for a newish wrapper to do a FDHC if she already knows the FCC and is told to just try FCC with rebozo passes. She will not think she is learning a whole new carry, and she will have a head start on understanding what to do with the fabric.
Additionally, if she is familiar with rebozo passes, naming the passes tells her the best ways to form and tighten each pass. She thinks “rebozo pass” and knows what to do with one of those.
While everyone might come up with a different system of naming wrap carries (and most every wrap carry is named by a different person with a different system), I find it most useful to stick with the most popular names so that the subject does not become confused. But you will find that I like to describe the carry in terms that I think may be helpful to someone who needs to understand the carry in order to use it better.
Naming Wrap Carries:
I recently attempted to give a name to a tutorial that my friend Karen made for my website. She told me it was a Jordan’s Back Carry variation. I’d never seen JBC done with a chest pass and I thought it bore more resemblance to a little known Norwegian Wiggleproof Carry that a couple of moms have made videos for.
The thing is, if I had named the Norwegian Wiggleproof Carry, I would have called it a JBC variation, probably JBC with horizontal chest pass. And I would call Karen’s JBC the same thing even though the passes are done in a different order than the ladies doing the NWP. That is more a matter of preference than an opportunity to name a new carry, in my opinion.
There are tons of JBC variations and the common element is that it has 3 passes, one each: rebozo pass, cross pass, horizontal pass. As a result, it can offer the benefits of each of these kinds of passes, although some people feel lopsided in it because it does not have the same kind of pass going one way as another. So people do JBC variations “with two cross passes” and other similar. In this case, it is called JBC even though it does not have the 3 passes I referenced. Similarly the Short JBC has only 2 of the 3 passes (and that is what makes it short). Confused yet?
So I asked some people which name they thought I ought to put at the top of this tutorial and opinions were mixed and included one suggestion to call it neither of those but to call it a Double Hammock variation instead. Specifically: Double Hammock Carry TAS (tied at shoulder) with one cross pass.
And yes, that describes it exactly, too.
It comes from having the same four basic passes combined to make up hundreds of carries! You can relate one carry to almost any other carry and which one it gets named after is the whim of the first person to name when it becomes popular. Perhaps Kristi or I could have named the Front Double Hammock Carry years ago, but instead we were just demonstrating a boring old Front Cross Carry beneath the crosses…
A guide to the differences between different kinds of fibers that are used in weaving wraps by Marcia Stewart, the artist/weaver at Golden Thread Mistress:
*Disclaimer from Marcia: this is all from my experience and you may find things to be different. Hope you enjoy the read!*
Cotton:
Many wraps are woven with 100% cotton. All cotton is easy to care for (machine wash, tumble dry low), resilient, and pretty worry-free. Wraps that contain other fibers usually are primarily cotton, with a smaller percentage of the featured fiber.
Some people move to stiffer fibers when their babies get heavier, but I have found cotton to be just as supportive as a hemp or linen blend, if it is woven densely. Thicker all-cotton wraps are excellent for toddlers. Thinner or less densely woven cotton wraps can be saggy, and can require more precise wrapping to be comfortable with heavier babies. All of this can depend on wrapping preferences. [note from Diana at WYB: Storchenweige is an example of a very supportive all-cotton wrap with a dense weave that is great for toddlers and older kids.]
Linen:
This is often recommended as a fiber choice for heavier babies. Linen is also popular in the summer because it is known to be more breathable. Wraps that are 100% linen in plainweave have very little cush because of the flatness of the weave. A linen wrap that has more texture to the weave may have a little more cushion on the shoulders. The fiber itself has very little stretch, so carries in 100% linen tend to be solid and don’t budge.
Sometimes linen blends can be known as “ropey” because they can have less cush than cotton does. So much of this ropey feeling is contributed to by the weave, and also how broken in the linen is. More wear makes the linen moldable and you may find that a linen wrap you didn’t like when it was brand new wraps beautifully with time and use.
Hemp:
Hemp is very similar to linen, but some people find it to be less breathable of a fiber. I personally haven’t found that; thick hemp wraps that are very dense may have contributed to the impression. Hemp combined with cotton can make a wonderful wrap. Hemp provides lots of support for heavier babies without the bulk that may be necessary for an all-cotton wrap. However, hemp is also less stretchy and yielding than cotton, so it may not have as much bounce. People who prefer their carries not to budge tend to like hemp.
Hemp can be washed in the washing machine, even on hot. It’s a tough fiber.
Silk:
Delicate silk is sought after for small babies. Silk blends can be supportive enough for heavier babies, but silk wraps are often thinner and potentially less supportive. Silk itself is a very strong fiber, but again, the strength of silk in the fabric depends on the size of the silk yarn and the weave of the fabric. The softness and sheen of silk is so beautiful. Gorgeous silk wraps are luxurious.
Silk requires more delicate laundering and must be air-dried to maintain fiber integrity. Silk is also more expensive than other fibers.
Wool:
Autumn and winter months call for wool wraps! Wool blends are snuggly and cozy in cold weather, but wool is a very breathable fiber. It can be worn comfortably even in summer because of the way air moves easily though it. Wool has an amazing bounce and usually makes wraps very cushy and comfortable.
Wool can require more delicate care to avoid felting the fibers. Handwashing (either actually by hand or in a machine on the handwash setting) is the best method to prevent felting, and it is important to avoid extreme agitation or temperature changes during the wash. Then, wool must be air-dried.
When purchasing a used wool wrap, it is wise to ask for the width measurement of the wrap because felted wraps measure narrower than their unfelted counterparts.
Alpaca, cashmere, and mohair are all similar to wool in wrapping qualities and care.
Bamboo:
The bamboo I have wrapped with has been very soft and comfortable. Bamboo is known to shrink so a cold, hand wash is often recommended; followed by air drying. If you prefer to machine wash, you can purchase your wrap in a size longer than you intend and then shrinkage will not matter as much.
Wrapping allows Lacey and her daughter to keep up with work on their ranch.
My babywearing story of the day: I go out to do chores this morning and saw a baby calf that wasn’t doing very well just below the pens. So, while my little one is wrapped on my back, I catch the calf, carry her to the barn (she’s pretty new – so she isn’t that heavy – probably 50ish pounds), milk the goat, feed the calf the goats milk, feed the other bucket calf (bottle fed calf), feed the chickens, and feed the 2 heifers that are in the corrals learning how to take care of their calves. Win.
We have all first calf heifers (first time moms) and sometimes they just don’t understand what it means to be a mom or really want to be a mom. We “assist” 400 heifers during their first calving season and help when needed. Sometimes, the heifers have problems either during calving (labor and delivery) or taking care of their calf once it’s born. If need be, we assist in the delivery and we will even help them learn how to care for their calf on their own. But, sometimes it just isn’t in the cards, so we bottle feed the calf ourselves. Out of 400 head, we have one bottle calf, and the 2 heifers that I mentioned above who needed help.
When my husband gets home from assisting another ranch with their branding, he will go find the baby’s (that I found this morning) mom by matching the ear tag. He will put the two in the barn and help them become a pair. If it doesn’t work, then the baby will become a bucket calf and we will take care of her. The heifer will be sold in the fall. We do everything we can to make it work and help both the new mom and her baby.
I was born and raised ranching. It’s all I know. I want to pass the love I have for agriculture on to my daughters. I want my children to respect, have compassion, and understand livestock. It sure is something to watch my 5 month old daughter get her little arm wiggled out of the wrap (on my back) just to feel and interact the goat as I milk her. My babies are learning valuable life lessons at the youngest of ages…always safely of course! Babywearing has allowed me to share a special bond with my children and to continue to do my small part around the ranch. In my opinion babywearing isn’t only a necessity, but a privilege.
12 days before I gave birth to our 7th baby we found my husband had a brain tumor, only making this news worse is my first husband died from a brain tumor as well.
This is the first baby I have ever wrapped with, on his first plane flight at 3 weeks old. Now baby is 4mo and we have traveled across the US to seek non toxic holistic treatment for cancer. Now half way through treatment, we all are doing well!
How does baby wearing relate? Keeping him close and safe had been paramount to making our family function, to making lunches, to walking through airports, to working my small home business, to playing at the park. We are all safe and mobile and it is because I learned about baby wearing!
Natibaby Winter is here in a gorgeous turquoise wool blend for something highly cuddly and warm this winter.
Natibaby wool is soft–never scratchy. It requires some extra care, as wool should not be machine washed, but for many mamas, it is worth it for the softness and warmth of winter wool.
Intricate snowflake representations capture the magic and whimsy of tiny ice crystals whirling slowly through cold, clear winter air. The color and design of this wrap perfectly depict the beauty and clarity of wintertime while keeping you and your little one cozy and close.
Natibaby Winter is the perfect wrap for showing off to family and friends this season and bring festivity and brightness to every day until the Spring.
Some of my family, on whose behalf I appreciate you!
I wanted to do something special for my customers this week and I decided on this special offer (full terms below):
spend $100 or more in my store by the end of Thursday, the 21st of November (sale ends at 11:59pm EST).
use coupon code THANKYOU50 when you check out (coupon code is case sensitive).
You will receive a gift certificate for $50 by email.
Use the gift certificate at checkout to get $50 off a second purchase for yourself or as a gift for someone you care about. The gift certificate must be used by Wednesday, 27 November 2013 (11:59pm EST), after which it will expire.
Additionally, one person who buys a wrap using the THANKYOU50 code will be entirely refunded and will receive their first wrap free instead of a $50 gift certificate!
To be eligible to be the one to receive a free wrap, share my Facebook post on the subject. You’ll see it pinned to the top of the page at www.facebook.com/wrapyourbaby (International customers are also eligible but if you win, I will ask that you pay shipping-only for your wrap).
SMALLPRINT:
This deal is for a full price purchase and cannot be combined with other discounts. This is true of the first purchase and the second (please do not try to use a coupon as well as the gift certificate).
The first purchase must be paid in full in order to receive the $50 off (putting an item on layaway will not result in a coupon code being mailed to you).
The $50 gift certificate cannot be used for an item that you already have on layaway–it must be used for a new purchase. However, that new purchase can be put on layaway using the gift certificate to help pay for it.
Anyone can use the first code to receive $50 off a second purchase. The gift certificate that you receive in your email can only be used once but it is transferable. You can give it to a friend, but make sure that they know it is good through 27 November.
Natibaby has a wonderful designer named Aga who made this beautiful and immediately beloved tree of life design just for me and Natibaby has woven it for Wrap Your Baby in a few different colors now.
The first Trees, woven in a deep plum, I called Plum Trees. After that, was Green Apple Trees (a hemp blend) and now Wisteria Trees and Winter Trees (both cotton/linen) have arrived! These blue trees have a gorgeous shimmer and shine that is really magical. Natibaby Tree of Life now available for sale.
Natibaby Tattooed was one of the most highly anticipated wraps that passed through my hands this year. Woven exclusively for Wrap Your Baby, NatiTat is a gorgeous golden wrap showing off beautifully rendered, classic Tattoo designs in a bamboo/linen blend that arrives stiff but reportedly softens up wonderfully with washing, ironing, and wearing. Natibaby Tattooed is for sale here.
And the wearing is the fun part! This wrap has begged to be the subject of several creative photo shoots, and also inspired a small, friendly war involving sneaky corn ninjas like this one, shared by Suzi Lang:
Speaking of the phases of motherhood, here is Wrapsody Luna during pregnancy, babyhood, and toddlerhood:
There were so many beautiful suggestions for the name for this moon phases wrap. I was tempted to go with one of the goddess names as was traditional for the original Bali Breeze wraps when they were still called Gypsymama. And I loved several of the longer names like Clair de Lune. But in the end, the simple Luna appealed to me the most. I like how Wrapsody Luna sounds and looks. And I think it’s more of a universally recognized name for a wrap with symbology that is important to so many different cultures and beliefs.
Thank you Amy, for suggesting the name, and you have won a Luna wrap of your own! I’ve sent you an email so we can arrange shipping.
***ORIGINAL POST BELOW***
This moon phases wrap needs a good name worthy of the magical reputation of the moon. Comment with your name suggestion and I whoever suggests the winning name will win of these Bali Breeze wraps with lunar phases! Be sure to provide an email address that you check so that you will know if your name was chosen. I’ll edit this blog post with the winning name next week.
For the record, this is a 100% cotton gauze wrap batiked in dark purple and pink in Bali under Fair Trade Conditions. The moons run lengthwise across the wrap, about 2/3rds of the way up from the bottom rail.
I give you through the weekend (through 20 October) to make your suggestions for this moon phases wrap!
picture by Christi Bedell for BWI of North Central Illinois
Help me teach statues to babywear for International Babywearing Week this week! Wrap up a doll or teddy on a statue, snap a picture and post on my Facebook wall.
RULES
Statue should be a person or humanoid animal. No inanimate object statues like cars.
Someone–teddy, doll, or real kid (if safe)–must be in the carrier on the statue. No entries with empty carriers on statues!
One picture per individual.
Unless it is for your babywearing group, then you can post as many as you want.
If posting for your group, include a link to your group. Link should be included on every picture you submit for that group.
When you post the picture, state the city (and country if not United States) where it is located so we can enjoy knowing all the places featured in the contest.
Pictures must be submitted by end of day Monday, 14 October.
One individual AND one babywearing group will be selected to receive a wrap or ring sling. The carrier may be new or used (in good condition). I’ll have to see what’s available when I pick winners! Be sure to check back here to see the winners, and they will also be announced on Facebook.
Last month I asked babywearing parents to share their knowledge by making a video of how they do various wrap carries, so that I could share their techniques with more moms and dads through my website. I think that parents and families can benefit the most from the freely shared knowledge from other parents, as embodied by the African proverb each one teach one. And I think this method of spreading knowledge is far more useful and empowers all of us more than parenting books, parenting experts, or other authoritarian organizations. Anything that helps you is great, and I am not asking you to adopt my opinion, but this is my preference for education of any kind.
I received so many wonderful videos. I want to thank everybody who made a video SO MUCH. I was unable to use all of them, as some were redundant, and I had to look at which ones had the clearest picture, best lighting, best sound, and clearest instructions so they would be the most help to the internet community. This was not intended as a competition, however there are certain logistical needs that I had to meet.
I also promised to send a woven wrap donation to four babywearing groups who were represented by the video submissions. Here are my four video categories, the group that will be receiving a wrap, and the video that won the wrap for each group (by random draw). If you let the video play to the end, I believe that the rest of the playlist in the same category will play so you can see several of the submissions, all of which are great.
Each month I donate a wrap to a babywearing group to add to their lending library. For July I am asking groups to do a project to help me expand the wrapping instructions on my website. One of the prizes for July (Nati Notes linen blend wrap):
To enter your group for a free wrap, I ask that you send me an instructional video that I can brand and post on my website and on YouTube to help moms who are trying to master a carry or technique. Send the videos to diana@wrapyourbaby.com by the last day of July and put “July Video” in the subject to help me keep track of the emails. Also please include a line in your email giving me permission to add my title and credits and use the video online, regardless of whether your group is chosen to win a wrap. I will credit your babywearing group for the video and the specific babywearer and baby in the video, if you want me to. I won’t be passing it off as me, but I will be marketing it as a video that belongs to the instructional library of Wrap Your Baby, if that makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions.
I will give away one wrap to a group in each category. You can enter one or all of them. You can submit one wrap or multiple wraps to any one category as well. I will not choose the same group for more than one category (because I’d like to help as many different groups as possible) but you may increase your chances of winning one wrap by submitting multiple videos because I will be choosing the one that I find most helpful in each category.
how-to video for any woven wrap variation that is tied at shoulder (TAS)
how to nurse in a woven wrap as a busty mama (baby or toddler)
adjusting a woven wrap to provide head support in a back carry after baby/toddler has fallen asleep
woven wrap instruction video (any technique) by a dad
The videos can be silent or you can narrate as you go. Just remember that they are supposed to be instructional, so try to make them clear and helpful. I use Windows Live MovieMaker to edit videos, so if you can send it in a format that will work with that program, I will be all the more appreciative.
And the prizes?
Nati Notes Pink/Black linen blend wrap
Ellevill Karma Dusty Lavender organic cotton wrap
Natibaby Plum Pois linen blend wrap
Ellevill cotton/bamboo Paisley Silver wrap
and as a bonus, I’ll send a gender neutral, used-in-good-condition wrap to one of the dads who make the dad wrapping movies for this project (in addition to a carrier donated to the group that submits it). Because we want to encourage the babywearing gentlemen of this world!
Any stressful event is an opportunity to see if babywearing can be a tool to help you offer comfort to your little ones.
Some moms who choose to vaccinate their babies or toddlers have found that wrapping has made it go smoothly and without upset. Samantha has some experience with this and offered both this photo demonstrating ways to wrap for vaccination, and some description to go with it, which she kindly let me add to my blog:
Wrap Postitions for babywearing during vaccination.
Samantha says:
Pictures of optimal wrapping techniques for parents who choose to vaccinate. On the left, a stretchy wrap without the support pass pulled up (see it wrapped around my waist?) Best for infants up to 3/4 months. Added bonus that this carry keeps pesky newborn arms from flailing on injection, eliciting the startle reflex and possibly compromising the nurse’s ability to inject the vaccine without causing harm.
On the right, a woven wrap with baby in a front cross carry, giving optimum access to the large muscle in the upper thigh where most vaccines are given until the child’s deltoid (arm) muscle has developed enough (age 5-9).
This is also a wonderful carry to use if you plan on nursing AND wearing during vaccines- I’ve found this is the “Golden Combination” to causing the least amount of trauma during the vaccination process. And no, this will not cause a negative association with either breastfeeding OR wearing– infants are programmed to find comfort in nursing and closeness to its mother, and the vaccine experience will not change that.
I loved this photo of Heather so much that I had to make a blog post just for it. I think it embodies how we all have felt when a much anticipated wrap came to our door, or when we tried it out and found out how happy it made ourselves and our babies!
The giant smiles.
The patented flash in the mirror/toilet in the background shot.
Baby wraps are not more expensive than other baby equipment and are, in my opinion, a better investment than most of the “must have baby gear” that Babies R Us is marketing to new moms: https://wrapyourbaby.com/blog/2012/06/why-spend-money-on-woven-wrap/ (I am considering that a basic wrap costs $80 – $120)
Baby wraps are not more expensive than four trips to a fast food restaurant for a family of 4; going to the movies with your spouse five times; a ticket to an amusement park; 2-5 months of cable TV (depending on your plan); 2 nights eating out with your spouse at Applebee’s, or the couch you’re thinking about buying from the thrift store.
A woven wrap could easily be funded by the average garage sale, or even selling some unneeded things on ebay. Plus that will make room in the house for a new baby.
Not all families have any of the above expenses. A payment plan may make it easier for even a very frugal family to afford a wrap with just four payments of $20-$30. Here’s the information on my layaway plan.
5 reasons Why Woven Wraps Are Expensive:
Most woven wrap brands (all of the ones that I sell) are made under fair trade practices.
Most wrap companies (all of the companies that I do business with) make ecologically kind choices which include safe, non-toxic dyes (remember, babies mouth these wraps all the time) and in some cases 100% organic materials.
Most wrap manufacturers provide written and photo instructions and/or DVDs with their products to ensure that you, the end user, will be able to use and be happy with your wrap.
Commercial baby wraps are not made from any fabric that you will find in most fabric stores. Wraps are woven specifically for the purpose of carrying babies, and the fabric is made with exactly the right amount of diagonal stretch and give to be comfortable, secure, and easy to manipulate. This fabric costs more to manufacture than most fabric store cloth (especially when done under ethical standards as mentioned above).
The US has legally required standards that must be met and testing which must be done regularly on the production of the wraps to ensure that they are safe to carry babies, and this testing costs money. So while you could make your own for less money, it would not be possible for a mom to start a business making them for others without raising the price to cover these expenses.
A distinctive quality about woven wraps in my store is that they are hand-loomed or made on small mechanical looms in small batches for the express purpose of babywearing. So the fabric is made with the perfect strength, give, and support for optimum comfort.
But you know that people have been wrapping babies since long before there were baby wrap manufacturers. So you, too, can use a ready-made piece of fabric as a woven baby wrap.
I collected some information on the subject to share so you can make your own DIY woven wrap. A Woven Wrap is much more versatile and supportive than a stretchy wrap and now you can learn to make your own woven wrap so you don’t have to settle!
Chelsea’s 50/50 cotton linen blend from fabricland in Ontario. 5m 28in long and 28 inches wide with a 20 lb baby.
The fabric I see recommended most often for a DIY woven wrap project is Osnaburg. Do be aware that this fabric may be permanent press which is achieved through the use of formaldehyde. Many people do not consider this dangerous for babies, but in case you want to avoid that, you can look for Osnaburg that is not permanent press.
Genna helpfully suggests, “Get an extra yard because it will shrink when you wash it the first time.” That’s good to know up front, right?
Savannah says, “I found fabric.com osnaburg to be stiffer than stuff I got off of ebay.” Putting your fabric through the washing machine several times should soften it up, as well as shrinking it down to size so that you know how much to cut.
Leslee says, “I used osnaburg from walmart and cut it about 32″ wide to allow for shrinking from dyeing and washing. I used tulip dyes (contacted company for safety) then sew it all around and I ironed on a middle marker.”
Some other fabric options are monk’s cloth and a 100% cotton jacquard weave tablecloth (both suggested by Sarah). Prasti says, “I used cotton muslin for mine…and it has lasted through all 4 kids . I like it because the fabric is not too heavy or too light, and it’s usually priced at 4.99/yard so it’s pretty affordable.”
Sarah’s DIY wrap with 100% cotton fabric
Sharon made her own DIY cotton gauze wrap. “I’d only recommend this for multilayer carries (FWCC and DH as examples) as the fabric is really thin. I also made this wrap much wider than a typical wrap (35 inches wide) to provide more support.” As a note, the gauze you find in a fabric store is likely to be thinner than the bottom-weight gauze used in making Wrapsody Breeze wraps, which means your gauze wrap may be a little diggier and flimsier, best used, as Sharon says, in multi layer carries. April adds, “I used 100% cotton gauze to make a wrap I didn’t mind using in the pool.”
If you do use your wrap for swimming, bear in mind that either chlorine or saltwater can begin to wear on the material after a while so keep an eye on the integrity of the fabric to make sure it is strong and safe each time you put it on.
What about size for your DIY woven wrap?
The first rule to keep in mind is that it’s a lot easier to shorten it than lengthen it! Start out long, wear it a bit, and then see how much extra you can cut off and still be able to do your favorite carries.
Most commercially bought stretchy wraps (like a Moby) are 5.5 meters. This is one size fits all, and if you are making your own and are not plus sized, I would definitely suggest making it smaller. However, you can start out long, try some carries, and then figure out exactly how much you want to cut off of each tail.
I don’t think stretchy carries should take any more fabric than carries in a woven, so you could probably use the below sizing for either type. If your wrap is long, though, you’ll end up wrapping the excess around you and that gets warm in the Summer!
Woven wraps are generally sized. 4.6 meters fit most moms. If you are particularly petite (under 130 lbs, and not too tall) you might be able to do all of the carries with a 4.2 meter wrap. Some very small moms use 3.7 meters. Again, if you’re making your own you can start using it and then shorten it to the perfect length. If you are a larger mom, you might want to go with a large wrap which is 5.0 – 5.2 meters. 5.5 meters would be considered extra large.
I have a lot of sizing advice available on my website including different carries that you can do with different woven wrap lengths (note, these carries are only for woven wraps and may not be safe with stretchy wraps): https://wrapyourbaby.com/wovenwraplength.html
Tami made a wrap out of silk fabric her husband brought from India. (make sure whatever fabric you choose is suitable and safe–some silk may be too slippery)
Choosing a size for your woven wrap can be very simple.
A wrap that is about 4.6 or 4.7 meters is perfect for most moms to do most carries. If you are new to woven wraps, you can just go with this size and feel confident you’ll be able to use it.
If you are smaller or larger than most moms, you might want to look at sizing down to 4.2 meters or up to 5.2 meters. There are also some brands that make extra large wraps anywhere from 5.5 meters (the same size as a Moby wrap) to 6 meters.
And, if you know you prefer shorter wrap carries, then choose a shorter wrap because you won’t be doing the full length carries. But if you’re new to this and just want to be told what size to get, go with a medium (4.6 meters).
That’s the simple advice. If you’re not so sure and want to delve into it a little more, I have lots of sizing help on my site and you can start with these links:
I can’t stand how gorgeous these pictures are from our Babywearing Ballet class last week. I can’t pick favorites, but if you can, comment to tell me which picture is your favorite!
She was gentle, as many of the moms had no ballet experience. All of them are babywearers, but this was the first time wrapping for many of them. I provided the EllaRoo woven wraps for this fun day. So many moms wanted to participate that we had two classes back to back.
You can GET A THIN, LIGHT, ELLAROO WRAP HERE, perfect for Summer and for fitness with your baby, whether you want to keep baby in a front carry or a back carry. We even had twin moms and nursing moms dancing in these wraps!
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