Characteristics of Bamboo, Linen, and Silk Baby Wraps
I’ve always used 100% cotton wraps. There is a lot of variety available in 100% cotton. But other textiles are popular, and I’m branching out now to find out why:
Bamboo is popular in wraps primarily because of how soft and airy it is. It has a light, silky feel and a lovely sheen but is very strong and durable enough to machine wash (a big perk for parents). What’s more, parents or children with sensitive skin–or those prone to allergies– may find that bamboo’s hypoallergenic and anti-fungal properties and natural UV protection make it the most comfortable carry around. To cap it off, its antibacterial properties make it naturally odor resistant.
Linen, as a fabric, feels fresh and smooth to the touch. In a wrap, the lightweight, breathable fabric is known for cooler wrapping and is often recommended as a Summer wrap for this reason. Because it wicks moisture away, it keeps you and your baby feeling cool and dry. Linen is not very elastic, and perhaps that is why it is popular with parents wrapping heavier babies or bigger kids: as they have less bounce, or give, linen wraps are very sturdy and hold a rock solid wrap job without having to worry about sagging. Linen is also very durable and can be machine washed.
Silk has a beautifully luxurious sheen, and a lovely drape, making for some very classy baby wraps. It is very flexible, molding around you and your baby like a glove, and provides a supportive carry that is also soft and comfortable.
lea May 9, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Hemp is also great for support. I have used cotton wraps, but since I recently got a 50% hemp & 50% cotton wrap, I have noticed that it is more supportive, especially in a rebozo carry. I still love my long cotton wrap, but for a rebozo, I do grab for my size 2 hemp wrap. But then again, I am still a wrap newbie, so making sure my carries are high and tight with an all cotton wrap is still a work in progress.
Mortisha Brown September 24, 2012 at 9:50 am
Nice baby wrap! And evethough I cannot see your baby, I bet she/he is cute and adorable! I am an expecting mom and I’ve ben thinking what kind of fabric should I be using for the baby wrap. Thanks for this helpful information.