Baby wearing is essential when you’re a first-time parent and don’t want your newborn to be left unattended. With so many products available, all parents get confused whether to get a baby wrap or a baby carrier. Heck, even I got confused when we had our first child.
A lot of my friends suggested that I get a baby wrap as it is more comfortable. Others tried to convince me to get a baby carrier as they thought it was the best way to hold a baby while doing your daily house-chores.
I wasn’t convinced by either side.
I had to try and test them myself to know the difference. And, it wasn’t about me alone. I had this little gentleman who likes being comforted and kept soft.
If you’re someone who is feeling the same and don’t know what to get for your baby, don’t worry. I’ve done the heavy lifting for you as I tested some of the best brands available.
Baby Wrap Vs Baby Carrier: An in-depth comparison
Choosing a baby wrap or carrier is still one of the hardest tasks to perform. Some parents prefer baby wraps, and some go for baby carriers. However, here we will follow the one which is more beneficial, easy to use, and healthy for your baby. Here we will provide a truthful comparison that either baby wrap or baby carrier is better.
First, a baby wrap is a hard and time-consuming thing to do. It usually takes a lot of time if you are a first-time parent, and if you know nothing about baby wraps, it will be the hardest nut to crack for you while adjusting and tying that baby wrap. On the other hand, a baby carrier is easy to fit, carry and adjust. You do not need to wrap it around every single time.
Second, a wrap is made up of extra smooth and luxurious material that offers your baby an impressive and peaceful sleep. However, fabric for baby wrap carriers is a bit hard, and usually, it is not preferred for very little babies to be put in a baby carrier.
Third, a baby carrier is available in various fitting types and shapes, while on the other hand, a baby wrap is simply a piece of soft cloth that you will have to tie across your body to keep your baby safe and calm.
Lastly, the benefit and the usage of a baby wrap and carrier depends on the age of the baby. As we have already mentioned, you can never put a newly born baby into a carrier. A carrier does not support a newborn as it is a bit loose if fitting when compared to a wrap, and there are chances of your baby bending its head in a carrier.
Also, you need to be careful while handling a newborn, and a carriers’ stuff is not as good as it can hold a newborn. So, it is recommended that you must not use a baby carrier unless your baby has turned four months of age. It will help you keep your baby healthy and safe.
Above are given some of the most useful tips that you can use while comparing a baby wrap and carrier. However, if you want to go more in-depth while learning more about baby carriers Vs. baby wrap, then follow the article religiously to the end.
Baby carrier and wrap: Do they depend on babies’ age?
Certainly, getting a baby wrap or a carrier depends on the age of your baby. As discussed earlier, you can never use a baby carrier for a newly born baby as it doesn’t know how to control its movement, and in a baby carrier, there is no such ease of supporting your baby.
Hence, if your baby is younger than four months, then we suggest you avoid using a carrier for your baby. It will be better if you use a wrap for a baby under four, and after it enters five, you are good to use a carrier. Also, it must not go without saying that if the weight of your baby is not so much, you can use a wrap even after the baby turns four months of age.
How to wear a baby wrap?
A baby wrap is a long piece of cloth strip that you will have to tie around your body in a way that your baby feels safe and comfortable in it. So, for tying baby wraps, what you need to do is take the wrap and find out its center.
Put the middle of the fabric right below your chest and then cross it around. After it, take the right side of the fabric and take it up off your left shoulder, and the same will be done with the left side and the right shoulder.
Now, turn around, ensure that that wrap is nice and snug, and then drop both ends of the fabric right down and through.
Once done with perfection, cross the two sides of the fabric and form and X. After it, the position of X will determine the position of your baby. Now, go around your back one more time and then tie both ends of the fabric together tightly so that your baby remains safe in the wrap.
Which type of baby carrier is best?
Well, this is one of the most difficult questions to answer. There are three major types of baby carriers available in the market. But, what type of baby carrier is the best is something that even the experts fear to answer. It depends entirely on the age, weight, and size of the baby. But, before deciding, which one is better, let us discuss the types of carriers.
Baby Wraps
First of all, we have the baby wrap. A baby wrap is a long piece of fabric that you will have to wrap around your body to keep your baby close to your heart. The baby wraps are one of the cheapest and most easy-to-carry types of baby carriers that you may have. They are easy to carry and do not weigh so much. However, if you are a first-time parent, then getting a wrap is going to be challenging for you. While getting a baby wrap, you need to keep in mind that you will have to wrap it around your body every single day, and this is no easy task to perform.
Along with it, a baby wrap is hard to carry if your baby has gained some weight. Lastly, you must not forget that a wrap may get a bit warm in the summer season, so if you have no breathable wrap, things are going to be hard for you.
Ring Slings
Ring slings are the upgraded version of the baby wrap that you do not need to wrap every single time. They are a long piece of cloth attached to a ring for size adjustment. They are easy to carry, hold and the baby wrap fabric is so good that your baby feels comfortable in them. The best thing about the ring slings is that you can easily adjust their size.
But, while getting a ring sling, you need to be extra careful about the quality of the rind as it will be the only thing on which your baby stands. Also, ring slings may get loose after some time of usage, and it might get hard for you to hold your baby properly in a ring sling.
Structured Carriers
Structured buckle or backpack carriers are one of the most in-use types of baby carriers that you will find in the market. They are finely durable, they do not need much time to adjust, and the best part is that, unlike other carriers, you can hand a buckle carrier onto your back.
A structured carrier is designed for bigger and heavier babies who are either or more than four months. These are the most expensive type of carriers. Also, the material used in it is a bit hard so, if your baby is sensitive to such things, keep it in mind while selecting the buckle carrier.
The best thing about a structured carrier is that, unlike baby wrap and a ring sling, it divides the weight into different parts of your body instead of just your shoulders and neck. This is why it lets you hold your baby for longer and comfortably.
The only thing that they fall behind is that they are not as portable as other types of wraps.
How to select wraps or carriers for baby? [Complete Guide]
If you are a first-time parent, then one of the hardest things that you may face is selecting the perfect baby wrap or carrier. It is one of the hardest things to perform, and most people fail to do it properly. But, if you’re here reading this article, do not worry. Here, we’ll school you about some of the most efficient ways to select the best baby wrap or carrier.
Longevity of the product
Whenever you’re in the market looking for a baby wrap, ring sling, or structured carrier, then the thing to check at first is the longevity and durability of the product. We all know that baby wraps are only supposed to be used only for some month or a year at max.
But, there are some manufacturers that produce lousy products that do not even last for months. The biggest problem with these products is that they are risking the life of your beloved baby.
So, whenever you’re in the market looking for a perfect baby wrap or carrier, always check its durability and longevity. It will allow you to save time, energy, and money.
Comfort
Checking comfort while getting a baby wrap or carrier is the most important thing. We all get these carriers to offer ease and comfort to our kids, but what will you do if the product is not comfortable enough to be used.
There are a lot of manufacturers that produce poor-quality wraps and carriers that do not offer ultimate comfort to your baby, leading them to cry. And, if this cry continues, it may lead your baby to colic, and this is something you would never like to happen.
So, always keep the comfort of the baby wraps as your first priority.
Material Used
If you are getting a wrap or a baby carrier, then we ask you to check for the material used for manufacturing the product. The wraps are made as per the environment of various regions. For warmer regions, there are different wraps, and for colder regions, you will have to bet on others.
However, sometimes we mistake the material of our wraps, and this leads us to frustration. The material of the wrap is what decides the comfort of your baby, and if the material is not rightly selected, it may lead you to frustration.
Also, the selection of wrong material may cause rashes, and this is something that irritates a baby the most. So, be wise enough while selecting the material of the wrap that you are going to get for your baby.
Reviews
The essential thing to know is the reviews of the product. Today, all of us prefer to shop online, and for this, we need to trust online sellers without checking the material comfort and other things. So, how on earth will you judge any product while checking it online?
For this, we use the online review method. There’re a lot of people getting the same product as you, and those people leave reviews for your products. So, before betting on the product, check for the reviews.
If the reviews are right, go for it, and if not, then you know what to do.
Summing up…
Above, we have offered you everything that you needed to know before betting on a wrap or a carrier. The article has guided you finely on which is better: baby wrap or baby carrier. Whether it is the selection of the wraps, the types of the carrier, or the usage, we’ve tried our best to offer you rightful and helpful knowledge.
Parents Also Ask
Are wrap carriers safe for newborns?
Certainly, they are. Wraps are one of the most beneficial things that parents can get to keep their babies safe, secure, and close to them. They offer you to keep the baby close to your heart, they are easy to put on, and above all, they guarantee the ultimate comfort and peace to your baby, which is beneficial for their healthy growth. So, it is fine to say that wraps are safe for newborns.
Can a two month old baby use a carrier?
Yes, it can. But the carrier must be either a ring sling or a baby wrap because it is never suggested to use a structured baby carrier for a two months young baby. For a baby younger than four months, we will always recommend having a baby wrap as it is comfortable and luxurious for your baby to rest in.
When should I buy a baby carrier?
Suppose you are a first-time parent and worry about at what age your baby will need a carrier. So, we must tell you that a baby carrier is used from birth to 3 years in most cases. However, the type of carrier changes age-wise. But, from birth till three years of age, you are good to get a baby carrier for your newborn. However, we ask you to ensure placing your baby in the right position every time you put them in a baby carrier.
Can you wear your baby too much?
If you are concerned about the baby, then we must inform you that the baby likes to be held, and there’ll be no issue of putting them in a baby wrap or carrier. But, putting the baby carrier too much can affect your health. Though the babies do not have a lot of weight, you know putting even a little weight on for a longer period can affect your health. So, give some rest to your body while putting the baby wrap on for a longer period.
Is stretch knit fabric for baby wraps well?
As per various researches, the stretch wrap baby carriers are one of the most comfortable and most in use baby wraps used around the world. They keep your baby comfortable, secure them from rashes and provide them with healthy growth. But, you need to keep in mind that these wraps are designed to be used for a certain weight. So, if your baby is below 35lbs, you are good to use a stretch knit fabric for the baby wrap. But, if the baby is heavier, it will be risky to use such material. So, always keep this thing in mind while getting a stretch knit fabric for baby wraps.
Is it harder to wear a baby wrap than a carrier?
As per various researches, the stretch wrap baby carriers are one of the most comfortable and most in use baby wraps used around the world. They keep your baby comfortable, secure them from rashes and provide them with healthy growth. But, you need to keep in mind that these wraps are designed to be used for a certain weight. So, if your baby is below 35lbs, you are good to use a stretch knit fabric for the baby wrap. But, if the baby is heavier, it will be risky to use such material. So, always keep this thing in mind while getting a stretch knit fabric for baby wraps.
