Best Baby Wraps of 2021
Babies basically love to be cuddled 100 percent of the time. And getting to snuggle with your wee one is pretty great for parents too.
But as much as you’d love to just chill with them all day long, the reality is you have to get some stuff done too. Baby wraps, which have been used for a really long time across cultures, are one way to keep that snuggle going while freeing up your hands to tackle meal prep, cleaning, typing and everything else.
What is a Baby Wrap?
A baby wrap is essentially a piece of long fabric you tie and knot around yourself to create a pouch on your chest, hip or back where your baby can sit. The fabric usually wraps over your shoulders and across your torso. It’s meant to distribute the baby’s weight across your shoulders and hips. Unlike other carriers, there are no clasps, rings or buckles that might dig into you or your child’s body.
Wraps can typically be used with newborns up until your child is 18 months old, although parents get the most use out of them in the first several months.
Do You Need a Baby Wrap?
Whether you need some type of carrier really depends on how often you plan to hold your baby. Or how well your baby tolerates being on their own (in a swing or bouncy seat). It’s a good idea to get a carrier of some kind, and the wrap is just one choice among them. Other options include babywearing shirts, slings and structured carriers. (For more info on the babywearing options out there, see our guide on how to choose a baby carrier.)
Wraps blanket you and your baby together for the ultimate in skin-to-skin contact with your child. That’s especially nice during the “fourth trimester” or first three months of your little one’s life, when babies are most clingy. But most wraps require practice to tie just right. You’ll definitely need a hands-on tutorial or a video that you can learn from.
How We Chose Our Best Picks
We asked thousands of real Babylist families about the baby products they love the most. We took the top products they shared with us and added our own research and insight to tell you about the best baby wraps.
Soft & Summery
Why We Love It
The thicker fabrics of other wraps can make them good options for cooler seasons or climates, but make you a sweaty mess in warmer temps. The Solly is made from a thinner piece of soft, super-breathable modal fabric. There’s zero bulk and it easily folds into a pouch attached to one end of the wrap. And it doesn’t take up your entire diaper bag when you pack it. We also like that the other end of the wrap has a hidden pacifier pocket.
Babylist and Solly Baby collaborated on this limited-edition black-and-natural stripe wrap. It’s available exclusively at Babylist.
Keep in Mind
This wrap is pricey, and you won’t be able to use it as long since the max weight is lower than other wraps.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I tried several wraps and found many harder to tie or the fabric was thick and bulky. Once I found the Solly Wrap, I fell in love with it. My third born was super tiny and so the Solly Wrap was the only carrier that I could use with her right away. It is easy to get the hang of. The fabric is soft, breathable and beautiful too!” -Lindsey H.
Additional Specs
| Weight limits: | Newborn to 25 lbs |
| Available positions for baby: | Front inward |
Cuddly Warmth
Why We Love It
The Moby Wrap is a one long piece of fabric that you configure around your body to create a snug spot for your little one to hang out in. The cotton knit is soft and comfy, like a thick tee, and because there is so much fabric wrapped both you and your baby, you’ll both stay toasty. The Moby Wrap can be formed to any body shape or size, so multiple caregivers can use it too.
Keep in Mind
Because the fabric is so long, it drags on the ground and can get dirty when you put it on in public places. Also, the thicker fabric of the Moby can make you and your baby hot and sweaty, especially in the summer.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I love that I can position the baby several different ways, and it’s easy to wrap once you learn how.” -Alix C.
Additional Specs
| Weight limits: | 8-35 lbs |
| Available positions for baby: | Front-inward, sling, hip |
Stretchy Comfort
Why We Love It
Similar to the Moby Wrap, the Boba is a swath of fabric you use to bind your baby to your torso. But the Boba only allows for the baby to be to positioned sitting up and facing in toward you—what the brand claims is the only safe position to have a baby in a wrap-style carrier. The other difference? Boba has five percent of spandex in its cotton knit. The little bit of stretch makes it easy to get the perfect fit around your child.
Keep in Mind
While the elasticity of the wrap is great for tying tightly around you and your child, some Babylist parents report that the weight of a heavier baby can stretch out the fabric. That can cause your child to sink down or start to lean diagonally.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I loved the Boba Wrap because the fabric was stretchy enough to allow me to position my baby better, but firm enough to hold him in place. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about it!” -Patricia K.
Additional Specs
| Weight limits: | 7-35 lbs |
| Available positions for baby: | Front inward |
Organic Option
Why We Love It
Made from organic bamboo and cotton, this wrap is sturdy but soft and wicks away moisture, making it a solid, year-round choice. It’s also naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. The bonus? Happy Baby makes all of its products in the U.S. and employs stay-at-home moms in the sewing process.
Keep in Mind
Like all classic wraps, this one takes some getting used to. Plan time to watch the instructional video and do some practice babywearing sessions around the house.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I love that the Happy Wrap was so lightweight compared to the Moby. It was still very durable and strong but was much better in our sweltering Florida heat. It was also just as soft as the day we bought it after every wash!” -Brittany Z.
Additional Specs
| Weight limits: | Newborn to 25 lbs |
| Available positions for baby: | Front inward |
User Friendly
Why We Love It
Many parent love the idea of a baby wrap, but are intimidated by the origami-like wrapping process. Enter the Baby K’tan. It is two loops of fabric stitched together. You slip it on over your head and then put an arm through each loop. Your wee one sits where the two loops crossover. Belt a fabric sash around you and the baby for extra security, and you’re ready to go. The Baby K’tan is 100% cotton.
Keep in Mind
Unlike most wraps, the Baby K’tan comes in clothing sizes. That means other caregivers won’t be able to use your K’tan unless they’re the same size as you.
What Babylist Parents Say
“The Baby K’tan is so simple to use. It stretches out a bit, but it’s usually time to wash when that happens. It shrinks back to normal size after wash and dry. It allows you to hold your babies so close and puts them right to sleep.” -Savannah B.
Additional Specs
| Weight limits: | 8-35 lbs |
| Available positions for baby: | Front-inward, front-outward, sling style and on hip |
Choosing What’s Right for You
Choosing a baby wrap is all about personal preference. Do you want a thicker or thinner fabric? Are you willing to deal with the learning curve of wrapping a long swatch of fabric? Do you want a carrier just for snuggling with your newborn or one that will last into toddlerhood? These are all things to think about as you determine the most comfortable way to keep your little one close.
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