Baby Wrap Vs. Baby Carrier

Baby wraps and carriers each have unique features and benefits. Because baby wraps are cost-effective, having both on hand is worthwhile.

Let’s look at the differences between baby wraps and baby carriers.

Baby Wrap Features

I love wraps for newborns because they hold the baby closer to your body. There are infinite positions that allow you and your baby to be comfortable while babywearing.

There are three styles of baby wraps:

1. Traditional wraps (long pieces of fabric that you wrap yourself).
2. Tied baby wraps (pre-wrapped and go on like a t-shirt).
3. Ring slings.

Traditional wraps are made of a single long piece of fabric. The best wraps are slightly stretchy and made of cotton.

Benefits of Baby Wraps

• Calming: Baby wraps remind your baby of the womb, where it is snuggled up close to your body and moves as you move.
• Baby wearing: You can wear your baby all day in the wrap, freeing both hands to do whatever you like.
• Skin-to-skin: Because baby wraps keep your infant’s limbs tucked in, you can do skin-to-skin without worrying about them becoming too cold. The wrap is also soft enough to feel comfortable on your and your baby’s bare skin.
• Breastfeeding on the go: Getting enough milk for a newborn is hard enough at home, let alone on the go. I am not a coordinated person, but I can vouch for this!
• Versatile: They can be wrapped in many ways, from wholly tucked in on your chest to hanging out on your back or hip.
• Weight Range: Most wraps will accommodate infants (8lb) and toddlers (30lb+). That’s a vast range. Now that my kids are a little older, I always keep the wrap in my car. I’ve worn my two and four-year-old many times.

 

My Baby Wrap Experience

It took me a few weeks to try my Moby Wrap with my first–man, I wish I tried it sooner! As soon as I got him snuggled up close to me, I felt an immediate sense of relief from him. He was a very fussy baby, but I could tell he felt at peace in the wrap being wrapped up against me.

I loved the wrap to get some time to myself and have my hands free to eat a meal, do some chores, or relax and watch TV.

After bathtime, we did skin-to-skin in the wrap to regulate his temperature, and it always made for an easy bedtime.

With my second, I joke that I was pregnant for 13 months because I wore him in the baby wrap day in and day out until he was four months old! He took almost all his naps in the wrap and loved being in it even when awake.

It made it easy for me to play with my older toddler.

I transitioned both kids to a structured carrier when they were around a year old. This had more to do with their curiosity and desire to see around them than the wrap not being supportive enough.

Some of my fondest postpartum memories with my newborns were wearing them in this wrap ?.

 

Structured Baby Carrier Features

The difference between a structured baby carrier and a wrap is in the shape of the carrier. 

Both hold your baby on your body and allow you to be hands-free, but a wrap is just one long piece of fabric, and a structured carrier looks more like a backpack for your little peanut?.  

• Newborn inserts: Most carriers have an infant insert to support the smallest babies. I still don’t find them as supportive or comforting for infants.
• Supportive: If you plan on carrying your baby past 15 or 20lb, I recommend getting a structured carrier with a lot of lumbar support.
• Breathable Material: Baby wraps can get hot?. Many structured carriers have mesh panels to allow more airflow.
• Pockets: Take everything you need (like a spare diaper, wipes, chapstick, and your car keys) with you.
• Rain and Sun Hoods: Removable hoods protect your child’s head from the elements. You can also put your child’s head inside the baby wrap, but this becomes a challenge once your child is curious and looking around.
• Heavy Weight Limit: Structured carriers work for children up to 45lb. It’s more about providing support for the carrier with padded straps and lumbar support.
• Easier to Use: Buckle and go—no wrapping or learning curve.

My Structured Carrier Experience

Once my children were about a year old, I used my structured carrier more than the wrap. Around this age, they became more curious and wanted to be outward-facing to see what was happening around them.

You can wrap babies in an outward-facing way, but I didn’t find it provided enough support for me.

The Lillebaby had a rigid lumbar support belt and soft padded shoulder straps. It could be adjusted to give me the most support and relief.

I wore my children in the carrier more than I used their stroller until they were two. Now, I always keep my wrap in my car in case one needs to be carried.

If we’re planning a hike or carrying the kids, I’ll bring our Lillebaby, too.

Final Thoughts

Both baby wraps and carriers are great for babywearing. You can easily take your baby with you and be hands-free.

Baby wraps are usually less than $50, so I recommend new moms put both a wrap and structured carrier on their registries.

Newborn snuggles in the baby wrap are the best, and skin-to-skin, contact naps, and breastfeeding are perks to go along with it!

As your child grows more curious, the structured carriers provide more support for you and opportunities for your child to see around them.