The 6 Best Baby Wraps
Wearing your baby is a great way to hold your baby while keeping your hands free. One of the most popular baby carrier styles is the baby wrap, which is typically a long piece of fabric that you wrap around your torso and tie to hold your baby on your front, back, or hip.
We asked nearly 1,500 Pampers Parents to vote on the best baby wrap; find out which products made their list of favorites, and discover how to safely use a baby wrap.
How to Choose a Baby Wrap
Here are some important things to consider when choosing a baby wrap:
Your baby’s weight and age. Some wraps are only recommended once your baby reaches a certain weight or stage of development, so double check the manufacturer’s guidelines for both the minimum and maximum weight limits before making your purchase. Remember to stop using the wrap once your baby grows out of it.
Material. A baby wrap can get hot and sticky, so you may wish to go for a wrap that’s made of a soft and breathable fabric like cotton. A thickly woven cotton may be better in winter, while a lightweight cotton may be more comfortable in summer. Choosing a machine-washable fabric is also a good idea. Another factor to consider is stretch. Some fabrics are very stretchy, while others only give a little. Pampers Parents were split on which they prefer, so it really comes down to personal preference.
Ease of use. Because putting on a baby wrap can be hard to master at first, you may wish to choose a style that comes with an instructional video. We’ve provided links for videos available from the manufacturer; some models come with detailed instruction manuals as well. Keep in mind that some baby wraps can be slipped on like a T-shirt whereas others need to be draped and knotted. Some are hybrid models that have a little bit of wrapping along with a buckle to help with the fastening.
Level of support. Some baby wraps offer extra padding for your baby’s neck, or come with padded straps for your waist and shoulders. While this cushioning provides more comfort for you and your baby, it may also add to the overall weight and bulk of the wrap.
Hold options. Some baby wraps are designed for your baby only to be held against your chest while facing you. Others allow for other options like a cradle hold, a hip hold, or an outward facing hold. Consider which holds you might prefer, especially as your baby grows.
Color. Wraps come in many different colors and patterns. You might like one that has a beautiful pattern, or you may prefer a more neutral color that goes with everything. Remember that lighter colors and unpatterned fabrics may show stains and marks more easily.
Price. Consider whether the wrap fits your budget. You may also want to make room in your budget for two so that you can use one while washing the other. Alternatively, you may wish to buy more than one so that both you and your partner have your own in the color you each prefer. Most of the wraps on our list are in the $30 to $50 range.
Other carrier styles. Baby wraps are not your only option. If you don’t find the perfect wrap on this list, check out our list of the best baby carriers — as selected by Pampers Parents — for other carrier styles such as front packs, slings, and backpacks.
Top-Voted Baby Carrier Wraps
There are many options when it comes to baby wraps. Here are the six best baby wraps as voted by Pampers Parents:
1. Baby K'tan Original Baby Wrap Carrier
Why pick this one? Chosen by Pampers Parents as the number one baby wrap, this model is a ready-to-wear style that doesn’t require any complicated wrapping, tying, or fastening. With the Baby K’tan all you have to do is put it on like you would a T-shirt.
It can be worn five different ways (depending on your baby’s age and stage of development), so you have lots of options. For more on how to wrap your baby, view the instruction videos for the different holds here.
This wrap also comes with a matching carrying bag that can convert into a support sash, providing extra comfort and security.
Unlike most wraps, which are one-size-fits-all, the Baby K’tan is available in sizes XXS to XL. Consult the manufacturer’s sizing chart to ensure you buy the right size.
Because of this sizing issue, you may not be able to share this wrap with your partner.
Baby weight limit: Up to 35 pounds
Highlights: Made of 100 percent double-loop cotton with one-way stretch, the Baby K’tan comes in an impressive array of colors and patterns. Choose from black, purple, and teal, or floral, striped, check, flecked, or houndstooth. The fabric is machine washable.
2. Boba Wrap Baby Carrier
Why pick this one? The Boba wrap came in second, and it's a smart choice if you want a traditional style of baby wrap without the guesswork associated with having several different wrapping “ways” to choose from. The Boba wrap can only be wrapped one way, so once you get the hang of it, you’re good to go. Check out these tutorial videos for step-by-step instructions on how to wrap your baby with the Boba.
The Boba is one-size-fits-all, so you can’t really go wrong with the sizing. This also means both you and your partner can use the one product even if there’s a size difference between you.
Some Pampers Parents mentioned that there was a lot of fabric, and this might mean quite a bit of surplus fabric if you have a petite build.
This wrap comes in many colors (pink, black, and blue, for example) and several different prints (like flecks and florals) so you’ll be sure to find a design you like. You could even buy two in different colors to suit different moods or outfits.
Baby weight limit: Up to 35 pounds
Highlights: Made of 95 percent cotton and 5 percent spandex, the fabric of this wrap offers both breathability and a little stretch.
3. Ergobaby Embrace Baby Wrap Carrier
Why pick this one? This model by Ergobaby is a modern take on the baby wrap. You still need to wrap the fabric around you, but instead of having to tie a knot there are buckles to help you secure the fabric in place. There is plenty of slack in the belts so you can loosen and or tighten the straps for the perfect fit.
This baby wrap is fairly straightforward to put on — this instructional video shows you just how easy it can be to wrap your baby in a baby wrap.
The design features cushioned neck support for you baby, and it’s designed so that your baby’s hips and legs will be in the ergonomic “M” position.
You may find this baby wrap a little more comfortable to wear than some of the other models. It has a padded waist belt, and the shoulder straps actually go right around the top of your shoulders for extra comfort.
One downside of this product is that it only suits babies who weigh up to 25 pounds, so you may not get as much use out of this product as you would with one of those wraps that work for babies up to 35 pounds.
Baby weight limit: 7 to 25 pounds
Highlights: This wrap comes in different colors like blue, black, and pink. And even though it has buckles and padding, it is still machine washable, which is a big bonus.
4. Moby Wrap Baby Carrier Limited Edition Coastal
Why pick this one? The color options for this Moby Limited Edition baby wrap are fantastic. From mustard and electric blue to forest green and lilac, the bright and bold color range is definitely a plus, especially when compared to the more muted colors on offer from many other baby wrap brands.
This 100 percent cotton wrap is classic in every other way, though. It requires wrapping and tying to hold your baby securely against your torso. There are no buckles, snaps, or other fasteners, which you may see as either a plus or a minus depending on your preferences.
Overall, if you’re looking for a no frills, classic baby wrap (in a beautiful color) then look no further than Moby.
Don’t worry if you’ve never used a baby wrap before. This product comes with a guide on how to use it, but you can also check out this short video of a Moby dad showing how it’s done.
Baby weight limit: 8 to 33 pounds
Highlights: Unlike some of the other baby wraps on this list, this product is one-size-fits-all, so you can feel confident that it will fit your height and shape. The fact that this product is one-size is also helpful if you plan to share it with your partner.
5. Moby Wrap Baby Carrier for Newborns & Infants
Why pick this one? Fashion-forward parents will love the colors that this Moby wrap comes in, including caramel, almond, and charcoal. The caramel color is truly stunning.
This wrap is made of 70 percent viscose and 30 percent cotton, which makes it durable and soft. It’s also machine washable.
Although many Pampers Parents said that this wrap was kind of hard to put on (especially without help), the product comes with a full-color instructional booklet, and there are video tutorials from the manufacturer that can show you how to put it on solo. You’ve got this, Mom and Dad!
Baby weight limit: 8 to 33 pounds
Highlights: The manufacturer claims that the way this wrap can be wrapped helps distribute your baby’s weight more evenly across your back and shoulders for additional comfort.
6. Ergobaby Aura Baby Wrap Carrier
Why pick this one? The Ergobaby Aura Wrap is easier to wrap than some other traditional wraps because it has contrasting stitching to help guide the way. If you’re new to using a baby wrap you may find this feature particularly useful. Check out this tutorial video to see how the contrasting stitching can help make wrapping easier.
The fabric is 100 percent viscose, which is made from a combination of eucalyptus wood and acacia wood. The manufacturer says that it is “one size fits most.”
One downside is that this baby wrap is only suitable for babies who are up to 25 pounds, which is 10 pounds less than some of the other wraps on this list.
One big plus of this model is that it includes a small pouch so that you can fold and store the wrap with ease. A common Pampers Parents complaint for some of the other baby wraps on this list was the lack of an included carrier bag, so this pouch is a real bonus.
Baby weight limit: Up to 25 pounds
Highlights: Color options include teal, dusty pink, mint green, and black, among others.
How to Safely Use Your Baby Wrap
Here are some safety tips for carrying your baby in a wrap:
Ask your baby’s healthcare provider for the green light before carrying your baby in a wrap — in other words, wearing your baby. Experts say that some babies who have spent long stretches of time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may not be able to be carried this way because they may not yet have enough muscle strength.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safely wrapping your baby. It might also be a good idea to ask your baby’s healthcare provider to show you how to safely wrap your baby to ensure your baby is in the right position and has enough support.
Make sure your baby is seated properly to support the head, neck, and hips. Your baby’s knees should be held higher than his bottom in an “M” position.
Check that your baby’s mouth and nose are not covered or blocked by the material
If you need to reach down for something while wearing the baby wrap, bend your knees and squat down instead of bending at the hip so that your baby doesn’t tumble out. Squatting to pick something up also helps protect your back.
The Bottom Line
No matter which one you choose, you’ll get a lot of use out of your baby wrap! Carrying your baby can be a great way to have your little one close while keeping your hands free. In some situations, using a baby wrap can even be more convenient than using a stroller.
Going about your day wearing your baby can become a routine you both really enjoy. Your little one may be calmed by being able to hear the sound of your breathing and feel your heart beating, and you’ll love having him right there and being able to give him a quick kiss and a nuzzle any time.
Recall Notice
Before buying a product, always check that it’s approved and hasn’t been recalled on sites like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
*Prices are correct at the time of writing.
How We Got These Results
We surveyed thousands of parents in the Pampers Community and asked them to choose the products they love the most, and to share their views on specific products and product categories. Based on the survey responses, we have taken the top product picks and added our own research to create this article. The aim is to help you choose the right product for you and your family. We might receive commissions on purchases made from the links in this article, but the products featured are the Pampers Community’s top choices.
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