5 Best Baby Carrier Wraps, According to Testers
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
$69 If you want to try babywearing, you might be surprised at how many different options are available. Each different type of carrier has its own purpose, and baby carrier wraps are a favorite for how comfortable they are for both parent and child. Unlike soft-structured carriers or ring slings, baby wraps have no clunky buckles or ring adjustments. Instead, you adjust the size and fit with different fabric folds until you find what feels best.
Wrap-style carriers are lightweight and made of a super soft fabric, so they’re ideal for caregivers who don’t want to feel like they’re wearing their child in a more structured backpack-like carrier. Instead, baby wraps feel like just another layer of clothing, which is one reason they’re such a popular choice.
When shopping for the best wrap carrier for you and your little one, you’ll want to keep safety at the top of your mind. A safe wrap technique is essential for keeping baby both snug and secure, as is choosing a wrap that’s made for your baby’s size (some carriers are only recommended for certain weight limits). Finding the perfect baby wraps will keep both mom and baby safe and comfortable.
How we chose the best baby carrier wraps
As we looked for the best baby carrier wraps out there, we kept the following in mind:
- We spoke with Jenelle Ferry, M.D., neonatologist and Director of Feeding, Nutrition and Infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group, to find out exactly what features to look for in a baby wrap and how to wear one safely. Per her guidance, every wrap on this list is certified hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, to ensure that baby’s hips are able to fall or spread apart naturally while being worn.
- We spoke to three What to Expect staff members who have five children between them and have tested some of the baby wraps on this list, in addition to my own experience using a baby wrap with my two children.
- We searched the What to Expect community boards to find out which wraps were most popular among members. Based on their feedback, we prioritized baby wraps that:
- Are easy to use
- Keep baby snugly in place
- Are made with soft, comfortable materials like cotton or linen
- In order to make life easier for parents and caregivers, we ensured each wrap carrier is:
- Machine-washable
- Either a universal fit or features a wide range of sizes
Other factors to consider when buying a baby carrier wraps
When looking for a baby carrier wrap, you may also want to think about the following features:
- Material: Look for carriers made of cottons, linens or any other lightweight fabric, as well as something stretchy to make the wrap easier to use. “Materials with some stretch can allow for variations in fitting,” Dr. Ferry says. “Lightweight fabrics can be especially beneficial as we get into the spring and summer with warmer temperatures, and can help avoid overheating your infants.”
- Versatility: If you want to get the most value out of your purchase, look for one that can be used in multiple ways, such as as a breastfeeding cover. Additionally, if you and your partner each want to use the same wrap to carry baby, make sure to buy a wrap that can be adjusted to appropriately fit both of your sizes.
- Care: Between feedings, drool and baby spit-up, these baby carriers are going to get dirty pretty fast. Easy care instructions are going to be most convenient, which is why we prioritized wraps that are machine-washable. We also made sure to see how reviewers felt about the wrap’s durability over time and whether they held up to multiple washes.
- Fit: Test out your wrap to make sure it fits correctly and baby is secure. “Especially ensure that positioning in the wrap doesn’t close off the baby’s airway,” Dr. Ferry says. In other words, you should make sure there isn’t any fabric covering baby’s mouth or position baby in a way that her head is to her chest, which could pose a suffocation risk or cut off her breathing, per the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP).
Are baby wraps safe for newborns?
Yes, baby wraps are perfectly safe for newborns when used correctly with baby in a safe position. “Keep your newborn facing you, and avoid outward facing front carriers until your baby has good head control,” Dr. Ferry suggests. “Ensure your newborn is tightly secured close to your body with the chin off of the chest (to make sure she can breathe easily), and with a supported back.”
Not only are baby wraps safe for newborns, but they’re also beneficial for baby and her caregivers. “There are many benefits of wearing your baby as a newborn, including close physical contact leading to increased oxytocin levels in mom, which can both improve breastfeeding and the parental bond, as well as lead to decreased reflux and fussiness in baby,” Dr. Ferry says. “Having your infant close can also support social development as they can see your facial expressions and absorb language.”
What’s the difference between a baby wrap and a carrier?
Baby wraps and baby carriers are quite different despite the obvious similarity that they are both products for safe baby carrying. One key contrast is that baby wraps are usually made of one long piece of fabric that you wind around you and baby in a specific way to keep them in place. They don’t feature any buckles, belts or much structure, unlike baby carriers, which are generally more structured, with straps and buckles. This makes baby wraps much more flexible and adjustable. This might be a preferable option for couples or families who want to use the same wrap to wear baby because it’ll fit a variety of sizes.
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Best Overall Baby Carrier Wrap
Boba Baby Wrap
- Universal fit
- nursing-friendly
- high weight limit
- Fabric isn’t as lightweight as some others
The Boba Baby Wrap is made of a soft and stretchy material that makes it easy to wrap and tie. The piece of fabric is quite large and is meant to work for a range of body sizes, making it a good pick for partners who want to use the same wrap or plus-size parents. It’s easy to get on thanks to a center marker on the wrap that shows parents exactly where to tie the material so there’s no second guessing whether it’s in the correct position or not. And, it even has instructions sewn into the fabric just in case you need a reminder.
With over 18,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this one is widely beloved. It comes in a variety of different colors, so you can choose what works best for you. It can also easily be used as a nursing shield without removing baby from the carrier, allowing breastfeeding moms ultimate convenience. Many parents found that it was comfortable to wear and appreciated how versatile it was for different body types.
One thing that several reviews have pointed out is that the French terry cotton feels a bit thicker than some other wraps, and can be warm, especially in the summer heat. If you’re looking for something really lightweight, this might not be the best pick.
Material: 95 percent cotton, 5 percent Spandex
Weight capacity: 7 to 35 pounds
Size range: One size
Dimensions: 19 (W) x 198 (L) inches
Best Ready-to-Wear Baby Carrier Wrap
Baby K’tan Baby Wrap
- Slips on over your head
- can be used in five different positions
- nursing-friendly
- Not a universal size
The Baby K’tan gets rave reviews from members of the What to Expect community because it’s so simple to use. All you have to do is slip it over your head and put your arms in the “straps.” There’s no complicated wrapping or folding technique to figure out, which many parents said helped alleviate worries of baby slipping through the wrap. This also makes it ideal for parents who have mobility issues and moms with postpartum carpal tunnel syndrome.
And even though it doesn’t come in a universal size, it’s still a versatile option because it allows you to wear your baby five different ways, including forward facing and on your hip. This is great for growing babies who no longer need to be cuddled up against your chest and want to see more of the world around them. It’s made of 100-percent cotton, so it’s breathable and soft, ideal for wearing any season.
One thing to note is that the Baby K’tan comes in clothing sizes (XXS-XL) rather than just a long piece of fabric. This means that if your partner or another caregiver is a different size than you, you may not be able to share it.
Material: 100 percent cotton
Size range: XXS to XL
Weight capacity: 8 to 35 pounds
Most Size-Inclusive Baby Carrier Wrap
LÍLLÉbaby Dragonfly Wrap
- Universal fit
- slips on over head
- back panel for support
- Doesn’t have as high of a weight limit as other options
If you’re looking for a wrap that is meant for a range of sizes, the LÍLLÉbaby Dragonfly is a great option. It’s adjustable to suit sizes 00 to 24, making it pretty inclusive, especially compared to other options that lack plus size options. Because it’s adjustable, it’s also easy to share with a partner or caregiver who is a different size than you. Reviewers rave that this is a great option for plus size parents in particular.
The LÍLLÉbaby is also super easy to use. Instead of wrapping or folding to get the right fit, you slip it over your head like a t-shirt. And, you’ll get plenty of extra support from the added back panel. Unlike some baby wraps that may put added pressure on your back, with many reviewers agreeing that this supportive panel helped alleviate pain. Parents of all sizes agreed that it was comfortable to wear and easy to put on and take off.
However, some say that it doesn’t hold as much weight as it says, claiming that some babies even in the weight range seemed too small for the carrier.
Material: Supima cotton/modal blend
Weight capacity: 8 to 30 pounds
Size range: One size
Dimensions: Sash 90.62 (L) x 16.15 (W) inches; Inner 171.78 (L) x 10.64 (W) inches
Best Lightweight Baby Carrier Wrap
Solly Baby Wrap
- Universal fit
- very lightweight and soft
- nursing-friendly
- Low weight limit
Because baby wrap carriers keep babies snug and close, you want the material to be light so they don’t overheat, especially in warmer weather. For the most lightweight wrap, several parents in the What to Expect community and numerous staff members swear by the Solly Baby wrap. It’s made of the sustainably-produced fiber, Tencel modal, which has a silky-soft feel that isn’t heavy at all. Parents raved about the thin, soft fabric, as opposed to the thick fabric of many other baby wraps. Plus, they appreciated the universal fit and stretchy quality, both which made it easy to tie and adjust.
Jeanne Beacom, Senior Campaign Reporting Manager at What to Expect, used the Solly Baby wrap “during the newborn [stage] and first few months, mostly inside the house for contact naps.” Both she and her husband were able to use it with little difficulty. “We had to adjust the wrap just a little bit to not double around at the end for him, but we still were able to get the same secure wrapover,” she says.
Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director of Brand Solutions at What to Expect, also loved using the Solly Baby wrap, noting its soft, lightweight material that never got hot. Although it only fit her baby for three months, she still felt it was worth the cost, “especially if you have a baby that wants to be held all the time.”
Miriam Kalaev, Senior Director of Data Monetization, Strategy & Measurement at What to Expect, echoes these sentiments. “I was really into baby wearing with my two babies. My go-to baby wrap was Solly's baby wrap,” she says. “They are buttery soft, really comfortable and pretty colors.”
It’s worth noting that the Solly Baby is slightly more expensive than other popular options, and may not last as long. The maximum weight recommendation is 25 pounds, which is about 10 pounds lighter than similar products. If you plan to use it like Jeanne for contact naps and bonding in the early stages of baby’s life, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Material: 100 percent Tencel modal
Weight capacity: 8 to 25 pounds
Size range: One size
Dimensions: Not available
Best Affordable Baby Carrier Wrap
KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier
- Budget-friendly
- universal fit
- soft
- stretchy material
- Some users say it can be hard to figure out how to wrap at first
The KeaBabies wrap carrier is under $40, but has the same qualities of more expensive counterparts. It has thousands of positive online reviews and numerous parents in the What to Expect community who use it and love it. And, despite its budget-friendly price point, you won’t have to sacrifice comfort. The KeaBabies wrap criss-crosses in the back for even weight distribution and ample back support. It fits almost like a t-shirt, but there’s a lot of fabric to work with and it’s adjustable, so it should be good for a wide range of sizes.
I’ve personally tried this one before, and found it a little complicated to figure out when it came to wrapping. It took me multiple tries to get it down, and then some practice for me to really be able to do it without looking at the instructions. Some other users have noted the same. However, once you figure it out, it’s definitely a comfortable option at a great price.
Material: Proprietary fabric tech
Weight capacity: 7 to 35 pounds
Dimensions: 202.5 (L) x 21.5 (W) inches
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