What wrap length do you need?
In case you are unexperienced in wrapping, you will need a long wrap for the front cross carry according to your clothing size:
- XS, S – size 5 / 4,3m
- M, L – size 6 / 4,7m
- XL and above – size 7 / 5,3 m
If you want to wrap with short slings, you can consider sizes 2,3,4 for back carries or hip carries.
Front cross carry
-
Place the centre label to your chest.
-
Cross the ends of the wrap on your back and over your shoulders. Make sure the wrap does not overflow on you back.
-
Prepare the pouch for your baby at your belly level. Pull the bottom hem tight and keep the top hem loose. Place your baby to your shoulder (if your baby is a newborn, hold it at your chest) a lean backwards. Hold the baby with one hand and pull the top hem over the baby with your other hand. Genlty let the baby slide into the pouch, keeping its head close to your lips. The bottom hem should be places under the baby’s knees and the baby’s legs should be spread wide. Pull the top hem up to the top of the baby’s head to secure it.
-
Start tightening the wrap by pulling on the bottom crossed strap – pull from the neck toward your shoulder, while supporting your baby with your other hand. Bring the straps along the baby’s body all the way toward its bum.
-
Cross the straps under the baby’s bum and bring them undreneath the baby’s legs back to your back.
-
Tie two knots on your back. If the wrap is too long, bring the straps back to the front and tie the knots in the front.
Tips:
If you have a newborn that needs head support, you can pull the fabric toward the top of its head and form a collar to secure it. Roll up a small towel or a piece of fabric, same width the baby’s head, and roll it into the top hem of the wrap in outwards direction.
To ensure better support, spread the straps over the baby’s back – first spread the bottom strap and then the top one; or adjust the crossed straps under the baby’s bum and tie the knots again. If the baby’s sleeping, you can create a head support by spreading the strap behind its head. (see pics Position 1, Position 2).
Back carry
- Place the centre label in the middle of baby’s back, ensuring that the top wrap hem covers its shoulders.
- Cross your arms – right palm facing up, left palm facing down. Hold the baby udner its armpits – right hand underneath the baby’s right armpit and hold the top hem on its shoulder with your thumb. Place the left hand underneath the baby’s left armpit and hold the wrap at the shoulder level. This way you can easily and gently elevate the baby onto your back along the wrap.
- Lean forward and hold the baby under its bum with one hand – lead the ends of the wrap over your shoulders and secure them with your knees or teeth.
- Stay leaned forward; pull the bottom wrap hem underneath the baby’s knees toward its belly button. Create a pouch between the baby’s knees; keep its legs in the shape of the letter M and the make sure the baby’s back copies the letter C.
- Support the baby with one hand – still leanind forward; then use the other hand to pull the wrap from the top, though the center and continue toward the bottom hem; holding it firmly between the knees. Switch hands and pull on the other one.
- When both ends are tightened, lead them to the back, over the knees, under the thighs and tie two secure knots. If the wrap is too long, bring the straps back to the front and tie the knots in the front.
Tips:
Before elevating the baby onto your back, you can secure the pouch by putting it into the baby’s pants. This will keep the center of the wrap at its place; then you can create a proper pouch (see point 4).
Another way how to elevate the baby onto you back: place the center label at your armpit and tie a know over the other shoulder. Create a pouch underneath your arm, place your baby inside the pouch, pull the bottom hem toward its belly button, while securing it with your hand. Slowly start moving the baby in the pouch toward your back, while gently leaning forward. Keep moving your baby backwards and up with the holding hand a pull the knot toward your chest with your other hand. When your baby reaches the desired position, lean forward and adjust your wrap. Make sure the ends go over your shoulders. Secure the pouch and continue according to the back carry instructions.
Note: These instructions are general guidelines to babywraping. Before you start wrapping, we recommend that you attend a babywrapping course or seek out a certified babywrapping instructor.
Ring sling
Ring slings are perfect for the curious little ones, as they a have better view of the surroundings at mommy’s side. It’s also great for those taking their first steps, since they tire easily and can be carried safely when they do. A ring sling is perfect for it is easily wrapped and very packable. Its disadvantage would be that it puts pressure on one side of the body only, and is therefore especially helpful for short time babywearing.
- Hang the Ring over your shoulder, with the rings at collar bone level. Pull the fabric with your other hand accross the back, underneath your shoulder and slide through the rings while pulling it away from you.
- Slide the end of the fabric over the first ring and underneath the second ring to secure it. Make sure you have enough room for the baby – not too loose, nor too tight. You can tighten the sling by pulling on the fabric, hanging from the rings; and loosen by pulling on the fabric at belly level. Ideally, the bottom hem should be tight and close to your body, while the top hem should stay loose.
- Place you baby onto your free shoulder and hold on to the legs under the fabric. Carefully slide your baby to the desired position (when in correct posistion, you should be able to easily kiss your baby’s forehead) until it rests comfortably in a seating position on your side/belly.
- Still supporting the baby wih one hand, use the other hand to fold the bottom hem underneath the baby’s bum, pulling it towards the baby‘s belly button and make sure the fabric on the baby’s back is evenly spread. Set the baby’s legs into a shape of the letter M and pull the top hem of the fabric up to the baby’s neck. Larger babies can have their arms out, while smaller babies and newborns should have their arms resting inside the sling.
- Adjust the fabric by pulling on its ends (hanging from the rings) and make sure the baby is resting comfortably and close to your body. Ensure the baby’s back is curved into the letter C. The rings should be positioned right underneath your collar bone and they should not be uncomfortable for you or your baby.
- Spread the fabric evenly accross the baby’s back to ensure an even weight distribution.
Tips:
If your baby still needs head support, or if it falls asleep in your ring sling, you can secure the head using the fabric hanging from the rings – twist the fabric, create a colar, which you can rest against your baby’s head; and tuck it into the top hem underneath your shoulder.
Always keep in mind while babywearing to achieve the right positioning:
Position 1
Baby’s knees higher than bum.
The wrap supports baby from knee to knee.
Baby’s arms and hipps are at the same level.
Position 2
Baby’s back curved in C shape.
Chin off baby’s chest.
Close enough to kiss.
Never wear your baby in sling facing forward because:
It doesn’t allow an ergonomic position for baby.
Baby’s head is not supported.
Your baby may get overstimulated.
You can’t answer promptly to his needs.
While wearing your baby, make sure that nothing covers its face and that you can see it at all times. The baby’s chin must not be pressing against its chest, since this may impair breathing. And last but not least – you cannot quickly react to the baby’s needs this way.
Washing and care instructions
Cotton
Normal machine wash (40°C)
Iron at cotton setting, use steam
Bamboo
Bamboo viscose – cold water handwash, flat dry on a towel
Natural Bamboo – machine wash (30°C), low speed / hand wash; do not use steam when ironing
Silk
Hand wash in tepid water or short silk cycle machine wash, low speed
Do not thumble dry; do not dry in direct sunlight
Iron at silk setting; do not use steam
Linen/hemp
Normal machine wash (40°C), low speed
Iron when dump, use steam
Regular ironing is recommended to keep the yarns nice and flat and to prevent folds
Wool
Hand wash in tepid water by gently squeezing the fabric, use wool detergent
Rinse in clean water by genty squeezing the fabric
Flat dry woolen wraps on a towel
Superwash wool
Treated wool – machine washable, at wool cycle, low speed
Thumble dry on low speed
Iron at wool setting, use steam
Tips:
Make sure you wash your wrap before use!
Always follow care instructions stated on the wrap care label.
Do not use fabric softeners.
The use of ecological washing agents is recommended.
Do not use brightening washing agents.