Woven Wrap Carries

Be sure to expand each of the sections below to learn more!

Explanation of Wrap Sizes and "Base Size"

The length of wrap you and your baby personally need to do full length carries, like the standard beginner carry Front Wrap Cross Carry, is considered one's "base size." Different methods of tying a wrap are called different "carries" and the size of wrap each carry needs is referred to as the size in relation to how much bigger or smaller than one's "base size" is needed. So, the short version of Front Wrap Cross Carry that ties under baby's bum typically uses a wrap two sizes smaller than your base size, and is therefore referred to as a "base-2" (or "base minus two") sized carry.

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 longer. The most important thing is to find a wrap that works for you! A "base size" wrap is considered the standard size for a beginner to learn on, but if you end up with a wrap that is shorter or longer than your base size, don't panic! You can still use it; you'll just do different carries.

While this can vary based on bust size, height, wrapping skill, wrap thickness and grippiness, child's age/size, etc, a very 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.

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Where and How to Learn

One great 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, although it is best to do so with the guidance of an educator since there are plenty of videos online that show poor technique or even risky methods without any kind of disclaimers. Expand the section below with information on how to practice.

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Why are there so many carries? What are the different passes for?

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.)

Expand the section below for an explanation of different pass types and what they are and aren't good for.

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Front & Hip Carries

It is typically safest to 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.

Expand to see list.

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Back Carries

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.

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Tandem Carries

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.

Expand for a list of carries.

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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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