What is a Handwoven Wrap?

Woven wraps are long, rectangular lengths of fabric that are wrapped around a baby and its caregiver.

Why use a Handwoven Wrap?

Babywearing promotes skin-to-skin contact, creating a special bond between wearer and baby. Personally, I love wearing handwoven wraps, especially when Lucas is extra fussy. Handwoven wraps mold perfectly to babe and they feel so snug and cozy.They provide infinite carry possibilities and offer perfect support for your child and you. A gently loved wrap will last you more than one child.

Soul Slings Handwoven Wrap

Soul Slings pride themselves in being ethically sourced and 100% made-in-India carriers. These wraps are woven in government run co-operative societies committed to fair-trade and ethical production. They are designed and finished in Soul Slings studio in Bangalore, India.

Use

Soul Slings Handwoven Wraps are perfect from birth to the toddler years.

Fabric

My specific Soul Slings Handwoven Wrap is a “Soul Prism” design. The prism wrap is a beautiful green, orange and yellow gradient. I find that the striped colourway is perfect for beginners, like me, because it helps with adjustments/tightening awareness, differing between top and bottom rails.

The fabric is a little on the thicker side, so it is firm and has minimal stretch, which I prefer as a beginner wrapper because I can get away with some slack in the carry.

Because the fabric is a little thicker, I prefer wearing it during cooler weather.
Sizing

At 5’7, 125 pounds, my Soul Slings Handwoven Wrap size 6 ( 187 inches long and 29 inches wide) is perfect for me. It did shrink a bit after the first was/dry.

Body Type Friendly

Soul Slings Handwoven Wraps are body type friendly. They range in size 3-9.

Storage

They come in a beautiful linen pouch with drawstring. Perfect for keeping clean in diaper bag, car or in your stash.

Care

Soul Slings Handwoven Wraps are 100% cotton, so they are washing and drying machine friendly. And they get softer with every use and wash. They may shrink a bit after initial wash/dry.

Babywearing is easy, fun and convenient. It increases the bonding experience between baby and wearer. And allows you to be hands free too. Check out the different kinds of baby carriers previously reviewed in this series below:

Adjustable Sling feat. Balboa Baby

Stretchy Wrap feat. Happy Baby Wrap

MehDai feat. Didymos (DidyTai)

Woven Wrap feat. MamanKangourou

The post Babywearing: Soul Slings Handwoven Wrap appeared first on Nina on the Moon.

What is an Adjustable Sling?

I tried looking for the definition of an adjustable sling, but couldn’t find one, not even on Balboa Baby’s website. So, I’m going to try to explain what the Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling is: It’s like the pouch sling and ring sling hybrid. It has the pocket (or bucket) of the pouch sling, and the adjustable tail and rings from a ring sling. The tail on the Balboa Baby is not nearly as long as on most ring slings, and it also has a stopper at the end of the it.

Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling

Baby can be worn in four different positions in the Balboa Baby adjustable sling; front, cuddle, cradle and hip. I didn’t use the Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling much when Lucas was a newborn, as I felt like he sunk right into the deep pocket. I felt more comfortable wearing him in my Stretchy Wrap and ring sling during those first 6-7 months. Once he was a little sturdier and could hold up his own head, I felt better about wearing him in the Balboa.

I primarily use the Balboa Baby when I’m at home for quick cuddles and nursing while I try to catch a little reading break. The freedom of being hands free, book in one hand and the other to  caress mi chiquitin. I also wear Luna on my hip too when she wants some quick cuddles.

I don’t use this baby carrier for more than 15 minutes, as my kids are around 20 and 35 pounds each. Although the shoulder strap does have a little cushion/padding, it doesn’t expand over the shoulder which can be a little strainful on the neck and shoulder. So weight isn’t really distributed fairly, as I find if the shoulder strap expands and goes over the shoulder, there is more support.

Easy to Use

One of the perks about the adjustable sling is that it’s super easy to use. Their isn’t much adjusting to it, once it’s been threaded in four easy steps. And, there is nothing to tie, or snap; making it perfect for little ones who are eager to be up and down a lot. This is actually why I use it so much at home lately. Because it seems like every time I try to wash dishes, or set the table, my little Sun wants to be up and then sees Luna and wants down. Haha

Fabric

100% cotton. Light weight. Folds up compactly, doesn’t take up much space in diaper bag and even fits in my purse. Shoulder strap is padded and comfy. The inner and outer (or top and bottom) have a padded elastic trim which ensures baby is positioned close to you. I imagine this padded elastic trim is comfy for baby (by neck/head and behind knees.

One Size

It’s one size in that it is designed to grow with your baby. From 8 to 35 pounds.

Body Type Friendly:

I’m not too sure. Although it has adjustable rings, the tail isn’t very long at all, just under 8 inches before the safety stopper.

Storage:

Yes, one little pouch (5×6 inches) on the front. It doesn’t close, so I wouldn’t put anything that may risk being lost,broken or more importantly, hurting the kids being worn since fabric is thin. Safe for pacifiers, or anything small and soft.

Care

Machine washable, with like colours.

Babywearing is easy, fun and convenient. It increases the bonding experience beyween baby and wearer. And allows you to be hands free too. If you’re interested in babywearing, make sure to check out the different kinds of baby carriers previously reviewed in this series below:

Stretchy Wrap feat. Happy Baby Wrap

MehDai feat. Didymos (DidyTai)

Woven Wrap feat. MamanKangourou

The post Babywearing: Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling appeared first on Nina on the Moon.

What is a Stretchy Wrap?

A stretchy wrap is typically made of a soft knit fabric that has some stretch and elasticity to it. Hence, the name “Stretchy” wrap refers to how the fabric stretches when worn.

Why Use a Stretchy Wrap?

A stretchy wrap is the perfect introduction to wrapping babies. It’s perfect for the newborn stage as there’s nowhere else baby would rather be than up, close on mama; from hearing mom’s heartbeat, feeling her warmth and smelling her scent (milk?). Stretchy wraps, like other baby carriers let you be hands free to get things done while keep baby close.

Happy Baby Wrap

Stretchy wraps are fairly new to me, as I started using them for the first time with Lucas when he was just a couple weeks old. So, it’s been a little over a year of wearing him in the Happy Baby Wrap. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked. I don’t know if I can really explain the feeling of wearing your newborn in a stretchy wrap. But, I’ll try. Since the stretchy wrap molds so perfectly to baby and wearer, it feels as if baby is still a part of you. Just so snug and cuddly.

One of the perks of babywearing is that it allows for discreet nursing. And the upright position baby is in while being worn helps reduce colic/acid reflux.

Fabric:

The Happy Baby Wrap is lightweight and breathable. It’s also great for layering; when Lucas was only three months old, we went up to a local mountain and I wore him all day while we has in his bunting suit. No over heating, for either of us.

Happy wraps are made with CERTIFIED organic bamboo or tenel with 30% organic cotton blended in. This is important. Wraps made with 100% of anything like modal or bamboo, aren’t as supportive.

Because it’s made of certified organic bamboo, it’s extra soft. Perfect for newborn skin.

Since the fabric is very long, I usually leave the house with my Happy Baby Wrap already on, especially if I know I’m going somehwere with dirty (or wet) floors since the fabric does tend to drag on the floor when adjusting.

One Size

It’s a one size fits all carrier; for baby and wearer because it is fully adjustable without any buckles or rings. No inserts needed for newborns, and will ergonomically support your baby up to 25 lbs.

Body Type Friendly

Yes, it’s body type friendly.

Care:

Happy Baby Wraps include a small carrying bag for storage to protect your wrap! I wish more baby carrier companies included small carrying bags. It is machine washable.

These beautiful Happy Baby Wraps are stylish, comfortable, and fully adjustable. They are 100% made in the USA and available in 14 different colour/prints.

Have you worn your baby in a stretchy wrap before?  If you are interested in babywearing, check out the other babywearing posts in this series:

MehDai feat. Didymos (DidyTai)

Woven Wrap feat. MamanKangourou

The post Babywearing: Stretchy Wrap feat Happy Baby Wrap appeared first on Nina on the Moon.

Didymos

Making baby carriers has been a family affair since 1972 for the Hoffman’s. Didymos stands out to me as a brand not only because of their social work with communities, but because they have been making baby carriers with environmentally friendly fabrics since THE BEGINNING (1972).

What is a Meh-Dai? 

A Meh-Dai is like a woven wrap and soft structured carrier hybrid. One of the main differences between a Meh-Dai and a SSC is that one is ties (Meh-Dai) and the other is buckled (SSC). Another difference is that the Meh-Dai is one size fits all and can be used from birth to early childhood.

The Meh-Dai is inspired by the Asian-based carrier, the Mei-Tai. Mei-Tai is Cantonese and translates Mei: carried on the shoulders and Tai : carrying strap. Like many other baby carriers worldwide, there are many variations of the Meh-Dai/Tai. But, a common element is a waist-belt and shoulder straps attached to a central panel where baby is seated.

Didymos DidyTai

The Didy Meh-Dai (DidyTai) is a one-size baby carrier. The Didymos DidyTai is quick and easy to put on. The shoulder straps cross at the back, and the hip straps tie in the back too. I found that this distributes the weight of your child evenly across your hips and back, making for a more comfortable carrying experience. I really like that the shoulder straps can be adjusted, worn wide or narrow, depending on how the wearer is feeling.

Fabric

Made of 100 percent organic cotton, the Didymos Jacquard pattern is WOVEN into the fabric, not printed on. Patterns are the same on both sides, just reversed in colour. The Didy Meh-Dai (DidyTai) is lightweight and soft. The fabric is very strong, essentially tear-proof and has optimal diagonal stretch. This allows for fabric to mold right onto baby.

One Size

Didymos DidyTai is a one size fits all; for baby and wearer. You can use this carrier from birth because it has a fully adjustable bottom. Use this carrier for as long as your little one wants to be carried; Luna will be four in a couple months and she LOVES being worn. And don’t worry about adjusting snaps or buckles, since the DidyTai is tied, there is no need to adjust anything. You tie it according to how it fits YOU.

That’s right, I use this carrier for both Luna and Lucas.

Body Type Friendly

The Didymos DidyTai is body type friendly.

Versatility

Wear the Didy Meh-Dai (DidyTai) on the front, hip and back. Ajust the sewn-in head support using the drawstring to ensure your child’s head is protected while they sleep. From baby to toddler.

Care

I’ve washed this carrier on gentle cycle, in a pillow case.

Didymos believes in inclusivity by offering wraps cut to any size and offering a variety of carrier options at many price points. Make sure to check out our other babywearing post about the Woven Wrap here.

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