Are you looking for a baby wrap? There are woven and stretchy baby wraps, both of which have their own advantages! It is perfectly understandable that you may not know which type of baby wrap suits you best. But in fact, you cannot make the wrong choice: both types of baby wraps are ergonomic for you and your little one. With a baby wrap from Slings & Things, you always provide your little one with the best support!

“I found choosing a baby wrap more difficult than learning how to tie it! Fortunately, I quickly found the perfect baby wrap thanks to the information and advice from Slings & Things. We still enjoy it every day!”

Are you new to babywearing and is your little one older than one year? Then we recommend choosing a woven wrap in any case. Once your little one gets heavier, a woven wrap provides much more support because you can tighten the fabric. A stretchy wrap stretches – as the name suggests – a little, which means it is not ideal for older children. However, it is the softest type of wrap and very easy to use.

By answering the following questions, you will surely discover which type of baby wrap suits you and your little one best: the stretchy wrap or the woven wrap!

• How old is your little one?
• Do you want to carry from birth for a longer period (several years) or a shorter period (+/- one year)?
• Would you prefer to tie the wrap first and then place your little one in it, or tie your wrap with your little one in your arms
• Would you like to be able to try several different ways of tying?
• Would you also like to be able to carry on your back after a while?
• If you are still pregnant: are you expecting a summer baby?
• Do you like having lots of options in sizes and colours?

How old is your little one?
Are you new to babywearing and is your little one older than one year? Then we recommend a woven wrap. Depending on the brand and your personal preference, you can use a stretchy wrap until approximately 1 year. All wraps are tested up to a certain number of kilos’, but you can imagine that after that first year (with the increasing weight and mobility), you would prefer the support and comfort of a woven wrap.

Do you want to carry from birth for a longer period (several years) or a shorter period (+/- one year)?
Depending on the brand, you can carry your little one ergonomically in a stretchy wrap until approximately 1 year. In our experience, you will experience optimal carrying comfort with a stretchy wrap mainly during the first year. With a woven wrap, you can carry for as long as you and your little one enjoy it.

Would you prefer to tie the wrap first and then place your little one in it, or tie your wrap with your little one in your arms?

Pre-tying is done with a stretchy wrap: you first tie the wrap around yourself and only then put your little one in it. Pre-tying has many advantages. Are you going somewhere? Then you can tie the wrap at home and place your little one in it when you arrive at your destination. This is convenient if, for example, you do not want to or dare to tie it in the street or in town – it is quick and easy. Even if you take your little one out of the wrap and want to put them back in later, you do not have to tie it all over again. After a feed or nappy change, your little one can go straight back into the wrap.

Tying a woven wrap with your little one in it also has advantages. Because your little one is already in the wrap, you know exactly how much fabric you need and where to get the wrap nice and snug. And once your woven wrap is tight, it stays tight for a long time. This is incredibly comfortable, and once you get the hang of it, it is also very quick and easy!

Would you like to be able to try several different ways of tying?
Then you should definitely choose a woven wrap! If you choose a woven wrap, there are countless other ways of tying in addition to the ‘basic ways of tying’, as well as even more variations on all of them. With a woven wrap, you can carry on your front, hip and back – with a stretchy wrap, you can only carry on your front. A woven wrap therefore offers many more possibilities when it comes to different carrying positions. You will not be tying complicated ways with your newborn yet, but once you catch the babywearing bug…

Would you also like to be able to carry on your back after a while?
If you have read the question above, you already know that you can only carry on your back with a woven wrap. We at Slings & Things advise against back carrying with a stretchy wrap because this can lead to dangerous situations.

If you are still pregnant: are you expecting a summer baby?
Then you should definitely pay attention when choosing a baby wrap. We advise against stretchy wraps for summer babies, because you always tie multiple layers and tricot can feel quite warm. For moms who would like a stretchy wrap for use in summer, we have the VipCarrier (made from bamboo and lovely and cool in summer) and the Tricot-Slen Cool (made from a unique technical ‘high performance’ fibre made from recycled PET bottles; moisture-regulating, wonderfully cool in summer and very easy to care for).

With a woven wrap, depending on the tying method, you can tie with just one layer, which is already less warm than a stretchy wrap. We also have special summer wraps that are slightly thinner and softer than most woven wraps.

Do you love having lots of choice in sizes and colours?
Woven wraps come in all colours, patterns and sizes. Whether you like plain colours, stripes or a fun pattern, you’ll always find a wrap that meets all your requirements. In all the colours of the rainbow, or green, pink or perhaps black and white. Stretchy wraps are often plain, but more and more are being added to the range with fun colours and patterns. All our stretchy wraps are one size: one size fits most!