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Woven Wrap Carries
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Explanation of Wrap Sizes
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With a few exceptions, almost any size wearer can use any size wrap. What changes is what you can do with each size. The first step is to determine your "Base Size." For most people, this is the size needed to comfortably do a Front Wrap Cross Carry and tie off in the back with a double knot. (If your wrap is tapered, this means tying without tying in the tapers.) For most wearers, this will be between a size 5 and 7, but it could be as short as a 4 and as long as a size 9 or 10. The most important thing is to find a wrap that works for you!
While this can vary based on bust size, height, wrapping skill, wrap thickness and grippiness, child's age/size, etc, a general guideline uses what size unisex t-shirt you most comfortably fit into. For most medium-sized women, a 6 is a great place to start. If you are in between base sizes, it is better to work with a size up while learning. As you learn to tighten more efficiently, you will be able to do more with shorter wraps and you may find your "base" size changes to a smaller size.
Unisex T-shirt Size: |
XSmall, Small |
Medium, Large |
Large-2X |
2X-3X |
Likely Base Size: |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
*Actual Wrap Length:* |
4.2m - 165" |
4.6m - 181" |
5.2m - 205" |
5.6m - 220" |
Woven wrap carries are then categorized based on what size is needed in relation to your base size. If someone who is a base 6 can do a carry in a size 4 wrap, it is considered a "Base -2" carry (6 - 2 = 4) which means that someone whose base size is a 7 would probably need a size 5 wrap to do the same carry, but someone whose base size is a 5 might be able to do it with a 3.
If you aren't sure what size your wrap is, you can measure the length of one long rail:
Woven Wrap Sizing | Size Purpose | Meters | Inches | Yards |
Width | | 0.7m-0.8m | 26"-32" | 0.7y-0.9y |
Size 1 | | 2.0m | 79" | 2.2y |
Size 2 | Shorty | 2.5m | 98" | 2.9y |
Size 3 | Shorty/Petite Midsize | 3.1m | 122" | 3.4y |
Size 4 | Average Midsize/Plus Shorty | 3.7m | 146" | 4.0y |
Size 5 | Petite (XSm-Sm) Base/Plus Midsize | 4.2m | 165" | 4.6y |
Size 6 | Average Base (Med-Lg) | 4.6 | 181" | 5.0y |
Size 7 | Plus Size Base (XL-2XL), Tandems | 5.2m | 205" | 5.7y |
Size 8 | Plus+ Size Base (3X), Tandems | 5.6m | 220" | 6.1y |
Size 9 | Plus++ Size Base | 6.3m | 248" | 6.9y
|
If you aren't sure what your base is and only have one wrap to work with, you can use a couple different "standard" carries to judge.
If you can do a
Front Wrap Cross Carry tied behind you comfortably without excessively long tails or having to tie in the very tips of the wrap, your wrap is a full-length wrap - your base size.
If you can do a
Front Wrap Cross Carry tied under baby's bum or a traditional
Rucksack Back Carry tied in front comfortably without excessively long tails or having to tie in the very tips of the wrap, your wrap is likely a "midsize" wrap - approximately base-2.
If you can do a
Semi Front Wrap Cross Carry tied with a slipknot without excessively long tails or having to tie in the very tips of the wrap, your wrap is likely a longer "shorty" - about base-3.
If you can do a
Traditional Sling Carry with a slipknot without excessively long tails or having to tie in the very tips of the wrap, your wrap is likely a true shorty - about a base-4 or base-5.
Where to learn
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The best way to learn, if possible, is in person at your
local babywearing group with the hands-on assistance of a babywearing educator. In reality, though, you may or may not have access to such a group. It is possible to learn without such help by watching
YouTube videos.
If you are learning on your own, practice with a mirror, a spotter, and over a soft surface. It is always best to check with an educator with some selfies or a video to make sure you aren't missing anything important and to receive helpful tips. You can ask in a local BWI group's Facebook group, a global babywearing group like
Everyday Babywearing, or a wrap-specific group like
Geeky Wrappers.
Great
YouTube channels for woven wrap carries:
Why are there so many carries?
The different carries are made up of different combinations of "passes" - that is, ways to pass the wrap over baby's back from one side of the wearer to the other. On top of that, the way the wrap is passed over the back of the body (for a front carry) or the front of the body (for a back carry) changes where the weight is distributed. Different carries can be good for distributing the weight higher or lower based on the wearer's comfort, wearing baby higher or lower based on baby's age and preference, and may have more or fewer passes (fewer passes typically being better for a small baby and more being more supportive for a toddler.)
A summary of the most common types of passes:
Abbreviation: RP |
Abbreviation: SP |
Abbreviation: RSP |
Abbreviation: CP |
Abbreviation: RCP |
Abbreviation: TP |
Abbreviation: LP |
Abbreviation: RLP |
Abbreviation: B___ (Ex, BLP, BCP) |
Front & Hip Carries
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Always master several front and hip carries before moving on to back carries. The carries marked as "good first carries" are the best place to start, depending on your wrap size, and will work with newborns or toddlers.
Protip: Once you've learned the basics, I find that Kangaroo or Reinforced Kangaroo are great carries to learn leading up to back carries, as they will teach some of the same seat-making tips that you will use for your first back carries.
Back Carries
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Do not attempt back carries with a woven wrap until you are proficient at several front carries and understand making a deep seat and strand-by-strand tightening. While back carries can safetly be done with newborns by experienced wrappers, it is best for first-time-wrappers to wait until their child has strong trunk control before attempting. Begin by practicing with a mirror and a spotter over a soft surface like a bed.
Good starter back carries include Rucksack Back Carry, Half Jordan's Back Carry and Secure High Back Carry.
Carry Name |
Abbreviation |
Size Needed |
Front Support |
Back Passes |
Good for: |
Taiwanese Carry |
|
Base + 1 |
Chest passes |
SP, SP, TP |
Leaners, Toddlers |
Torso Double Hammock |
Torso DH |
Base + 1 |
Chest belt |
SP, SP |
Toddlers |
Wiggleproof Back Carry |
WP |
Base + 1 |
Waist belt |
RP, RCP, RCP |
Straighteners, Leaners, Toddlers |
Hannah's Eyelet Back Carry (FKA Double Poppins) |
|
Base + 1 |
Chest passes, waist belt |
SP, SP, BLP, BLP |
Leaners, Toddlers |
Jorien's Ringless Mermaid Back Carry |
|
Base +1 |
Chest passes, waist belt |
SP, TP, CP, BTP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Double Hammock |
DH |
Base/Base+1 |
Chest pass, waist belt |
SP, RSP |
Leaners, Toddlers |
Double Hammock Sweeheart |
|
Base/Base+1 |
Chest pass, waist belt |
SP, RSP |
Leaners, Toddlers |
Double Sling Shoulder to Shoulder |
DS S2S |
Base/Base+1 |
Chest belt, waist belt |
SP, SP |
Leaners, Toddlers |
Half Jordan's Shoulder to Shoulder (Cross Sling Shoulder to Shoulder) |
HJBC S2S or CS S2S |
Base/Base+1 |
Chest belt, waist belt |
SP, CP |
Leaners, Straighteners, Toddlers |
Back Wrap Cross Carry |
BWCC |
Base |
Chest belt, waist belt |
TP, CP, CP |
Beginners, Straighteners, Toddlers |
Back Wrap Cross Carry Sweatheart |
|
Base |
Chest passes, waist belt |
TP, RCP, RCP |
Straighteners, Toddlers |
Back Cross Carry (NOT leanproof, only appropriate for trustworthy toddlers and experienced wrappers. Click here for more info.) |
BCC |
Base |
Chest belt, waist belt |
CP, RCP, LP, LP |
Straighteners, Toddlers |
Rucksack Tied Tibetan |
RTT |
Base |
Chest passes |
RP, BLP, BLP |
Beginners, Leaners |
Charlie's Cross Carry |
CCC |
Base |
Chest belt, waist belt |
LP, RCP, SP |
Straighteners, Leaners, Toddlers |
Double Hammock Wiggleproof |
DH WP |
Base |
Chest Pass |
SP, RCP |
Straighteners, Leaners, Toddlers |
Mermaid Carry |
|
Base |
Chest passes |
TP, SP, SP |
Leaners, Toddlers |
Ring Jordan's Back Carry |
|
Base |
Chest passes |
SP, CP, LP |
Straighteners, Leaners, Toddlers |
Torso Wrap Cross Carry |
|
Base |
Chest belts |
TP, LP, LP |
Toddlers |
Ruckless Bikini Carry |
|
Base |
Chest belt, chest passes |
SP, SP, HP |
Leaners, Toddlers |
Faux-Onbuhimo Back Carry |
|
Base |
Chest belt |
RP, CP, CP |
Straighteners |
Xena's Ruckless Carry |
|
Base |
Chest passes |
RP, LP, LP |
Toddlers, Straighteners |
Scarf Carry AKA Back Cross Carry Shoulder to Shoulder (NOT leanproof, only appropriate for trustworthy toddlers and experienced wrappers. Click here for more info.) |
|
Base |
Chest belt |
CP, CP |
Straighteners |
Ruck with a Lacuna Lexi Twist |
|
Base |
Chest passes |
RP, TP, BTP |
|
Jessica's Double Sling Bow Finish |
|
Base |
Chest Passes |
CP, TP, CP or SP, TP, SP |
|
Rainbow's Back Carry |
|
Base |
Chest belt, waist belt |
SP, SP, RCP |
Leaners, Straighteners, Toddlers |
Silas's Twist Back Carry |
|
Base |
Chest passes, optional waist belt |
SP, CP, LP |
Leaners, Straighteners, Toddleers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back Wrap Cross Carry with Ruck Straps |
|
Base - 1 |
Waist belt |
3 |
|
Christina's Ruckless |
|
Base - 1 |
Chest belt, waist belt |
3 |
|
Double Hammock Tied at Shoulder |
DH TAS |
Base - 1 |
Chest pass |
2 |
|
Double Hammock Shoulder to Shoulder |
DH S2S |
Base - 1 |
Chest pass, chest belt |
3 |
|
Double Hammock Rapids Variation |
|
Base - 1 |
Chest pass |
|
|
Ellevill Jordan's Back Carry |
EJBC |
Base - 1 |
Waist belt |
3 |
|
Ellevill Jordan's Back Carry starting with Coolest Hip Carry |
|
Base - 1 |
Waist belt |
3 |
|
Poppins Back Carry |
|
Base - 1 |
Partial chest pass, waist belt |
1 |
|
Maxine's Back Carry AKA Max's Back Carry |
|
Base - 1 |
Waist belt, optional chest belt |
2 |
|
Norwegian Wiggleproof |
|
Base - 1 |
Chest pass, optional chest belt |
3 |
|
Rucksack Tied Knotless Tibetan |
|
Base - 1 |
Chest passes |
1 |
|
Rucksack with waistbelt & chestbelt |
|
Base - 1 |
Waist belt, chest belt |
1 |
|
Secure High Back Carry |
|
Base - 1 |
Waist belt, chest belt |
2 |
|
Wendy's Double Hammock |
|
Base - 1 |
Chest pass, optional chest belt |
3 |
|
Miriam's Cross Carry |
|
Base - 1 |
Waist belt, optional chest belt |
3 |
|
Miriam's Cross Carry Shoulder to Shoulder |
|
Base - 1 |
Waist belt, chest belt |
3 |
|
Giselle's Back Carry with Waist Belt & Chest Belt |
GBC with WB & CB |
Base - 1 |
Waist belt, chest belt |
3 |
|
Strangleproof Ruck |
|
Base - 1 |
Chest passes |
1 |
|
Kelly's Frankencarry (AKA Christina's Ruckless With Double Rings Finish) |
|
Base - 1 |
Wasit belt, chest belt |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rucksack Back Carry tied in front |
|
Base - 2 |
Waist belt |
1 |
|
Jordan's Back Carry |
JBC |
Base - 2 |
Waist belt |
3 |
|
Giselle's Back Carry |
GBC |
Base - 2 |
Waist belt |
3 |
|
Twisted Pirate |
|
Base - 2 |
Chest passes |
2 |
|
Reinforced Ruck |
|
Base - 2 |
Waist belt |
3 |
|
Autumn's Reinforced Rucksack |
|
Base - 2 |
Waist belt |
2 |
|
Short Ruckless Bikini Carry |
|
Base - 2 |
Chest passes |
2 |
|
Xena's Back Wrap Cross Carry |
XBWCC |
Base - 2 |
Chest passes |
3 |
|
Double Hammock Torso with Brittany's Rose Finish |
|
Base - 2 |
Chest pass, chest belt |
2 |
|
Five Point Harness Back Carry (AKA Hannahs Eyelet Knotless Back Carry or Short Hannah's Eyelet Back Carry) |
|
Base - 2 |
Chest Passes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Double Hammock Double Rings |
DHDR |
Base - 3 |
Chest belt |
2 |
|
Half Jordan's Back Carry |
HJBC |
Base - 3 |
Optional chest belt |
2 |
|
Flipless/Symmetrical Half Jordan's Back Carry |
|
Base - 3 |
Optional chest belt |
2 |
|
Back Reinforced Torso Sling (AKA Semi Double Hammock,FKA Double Hammock Rebozo) |
BRTS |
Base - 3 |
Chest belt |
2 |
|
Double Sling Back Carry (FKA Double Rebozo) |
DS |
Base - 3 |
Optional chest belt |
2 |
|
Knotless Ruck |
|
Base - 3 |
Chest belt |
1 |
|
Lola's Back Carry |
|
Base - 3 |
Chest belt |
2 |
|
Reinforced Rear Ruck
(AKA Pirate Carry, FKA Reinforced Rear Rebozo Rucksack) |
RRR |
Base - 3 |
Optional chest belt |
2 |
|
Shepherd's Back Carry |
|
Base - 3 |
Chest belt |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ruck Tied Under Bum |
RTUB |
Base - 4 |
none |
1 |
|
Ruck Tied at Shoulder |
RTAS |
Base - 4 |
Optional chest belt |
1 |
|
Short Back Cross Carry (NOT leanproof, only appropriate for trustworthy toddlers and experienced wrappers. Click here for more info.) |
SBCC |
Base - 4 |
Optional chest belt |
2 |
|
Strap Carry |
|
Base - 4 |
varies |
varies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Traditional Back Carry (FKA Rebozo Back Carry) |
TBC |
Base - 5 |
Chest cross pass |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Torso Carry |
TC |
Base - 6 |
Chest pass |
1 |
|
Tandem Carries
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Wearing two babies at the same time can be a game changer for parents with multiple children, especially twins. Be sure to master wrapping one child at a time before attempting to wrap them both, however.
In general, carries with both babies on the front will be easier with twins or babies of equal size. Carries that have one on the front and one on the back can be done with children of different ages.
If you are wondering what happened to the terms "Rebozo Carry" or "Rebozo pass" and why some carries' names and acronyms have changed, click here.
For a great video on nursing-friendly carries, click here.
--
Alyssa Leonard - 2016-08-16
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