Can someone walk me through the process of buying a woven wrap?
1. Are there types/materials/brands? How do I decide?
2. Once I determine that, I assume I need to check for size.
3. Where to buy? Just small mom and pop online stores?
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I don't own a wrap, but bumping!
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1. I would join The Babywearing Swap on FB. It's kind of like reading another language at first, but just keep an eye on it and you'll start to learn about the different brands and blends. You will likely find that you gravitate toward a certain brand's aesthetic.
Your decision comes down to personal preference more than anything. Also, if you want your wrap to be versatile enough to work for a nb or a toddler you'll want. More supportive blend than 100% cotton (so hemp, cotton/linen blends etc.).
2. A 6 is most people's base size. Unless you're larger or very petite, a 6 is usually a good place to start.
3. There are lots of online stores (I've had good luck with wovenwraps.com, but there are tons of options out there). You can also buy secondhand off the swap...these are often most desirable than brand new because they're already broken in.
Also, check out the wrappers of the Hive thread, as there's a lot of good info in there too.
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I've been wondering these things, too, and haven't done any research! Subscribing!
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@heartonastring: thanks!
I've tried following along and I'm just confused. I have heard of various brands but don't know the differences in them all.
I am particularly looking for a newborn wrap that's very breathable (hence why I think I need to go woven instead of a moby or the like). Price point I would like around $100 but have no idea how reasonable that is or what quality it will get me.
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@T.H.O.U.: I've heard bamboo is wonderfully breathable. Linen's pretty good too.
Honestly, most of the brands aren't massively different from one another (unless you get into the luxury brands)...a lot of it comes down to the look you prefer. You might want to start by exploring Didymos Indio wraps and Girasol wraps
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@heartonastring: when you say look what do you mean? Like print? Color?
Also is each brand just one fabric type? Or does a certain brand carry multiple fabric types. How do I find out which brand has which fabrics. Is there a chart with pros cons of each fabric?
Sorry a million questions but I've stalked and googled and can't figure this out (and I figured out cloth diapers so I feel like I'm not stupid!)
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@T.H.O.U.: Yeah, I mean the aesthetic. For example, Girasol is known for their rainbows.
Most brands come in a variety of blends. If you want something breathable I'd look at 100% cotton, bamboo, and cotton/linen blends. Most brands will carry cotton and cotton/linen. Not all of them carry bamboo.
You can also try joining the FB group Babywearing 102
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@T.H.O.U.: Pretty much all brands do blends. Newborn wrap that breathes-- I would look for a really broken in linen/cotton blend, or a bamboo. Bamboo is really soft. Ellevill makes some great bamboo blends and their prices have recently dropped-- I think you could find something in your price range.
Here is a good run-down of some affordable brands. I give my stamp of approval to her assertions
http://wrapyourbaby.com/blog/choosing-the-right-wrap/
Bottom line-- choose something that fits your budget and that you think you love. If you can touch it in person, you get 5,000 bonus points-- how something feels can be a big factor in whether it will work for you or not, and it's not the same for everyone. Some people will leap at a wrap that is described as having, "Cush for days." I will run for the hills because I do not like thick beasty wraps. My recommendation is always to try to go to a physical store, attend a group meeting where you can handle some fluff, or accost random people in public to touch their wraps and ask questions.
We will help you choose something.
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@T.H.O.U.: Check out Tekhni-- I just saw on my FB feed that they are releasing a line of wovens at a price point under $100 that are supposed to be FANTASTIC. I know the woman who tried one of their testers and she knows about wraps. She said that they are really comfy newborn to toddler, not diggy, and great in the heat. And I have tried that brand and they are great wraps. I would definitely check them out.
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@Mrs. Twine: Thanks for the tips!
I had found that website but must have missed the page you linked to.
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@T.H.O.U.: Thanks for starting this! I have just started the overwhelming process of trying to figure all of this out and I really want a woven wrap but it is a lot of information!
Any other website suggestions that aren't on Facebook? I might be the only person in my demographic that isn't on there but signing up just for wraps might really insult my family and friends!
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@Cole: Try thebabywearer.com
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Such good info! I've had all these questions too.
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@T.H.O.U.: We can be new wrappers together! I just purchased my first wrap on The Babywearing Swap on Facebook and it was a pretty seamless transaction. I'm trying to buy used so the wraps are broken and not stiff as cardboard.
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@keiki_mama: @T.H.O.U.: I'm getting ready to buy too, so I want to join the new wrappers club
I'm attending a babywearing meeting tonight to see what I like.@Mrs. Twine: a girl in my local babywearing group just tested several of this brand and really liked them too
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@jetsa: Yay! We can be newbies together! I also purchased a linen ring sling from SBP that I plan on bringing with me to the hospital.
I'm in love with the design of the Didymos Indio--they're all so beautiful!
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@keiki_mama: I have a mahogney tc SBP ring sling that I love. I just want to be able to do back carries
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@jetsa: I tried to do a back carry with my 2 year old with my new wrap. Let's just say I have a LONG way to go and I won't be attempting it in public any time soon. LOL!
He thoroughly enjoyed it though and asked for more.
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@keiki_mama: ha, but wanting to be in is half the battle right
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@Cole: Paxbaby.com has a lot of good info on their site. I don't really endorse buying from them, however. They are one of the most expensive retailers, and you can get the same stuff elsewhere
I learned most of what I know on YouTube.
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@grizz: Are there any retailers you would recommend?
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@keiki_mama: I buy mostly from the swap or straight from Oscha. A good friend of mine owns carrymehome.net, and I've also had good luck with Heart Hugs, Purple Elm Baby, and RisaRoo.
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@grizz: OMG, Carrymehome has the Didymos Indio Lila I've been stalking...
This is so dangerous... -
@keiki_mama: they have a size 5 easycare for $80 too! that's half of everything else I've looked at!
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@keiki_mama: I have a Lila
I LOVE it! Its especially dangerous as her friend... every time I go to her house she's like "Look what just came in!!!" and takes me to her stock room -
I just need someone to make a decision for me, there are too many options.
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@heartonastring: @grizz: Thanks! I am excited to dig into all of this!
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@keiki_mama: Thats a great tip to buy used, plus I think it will help my budget!
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@keiki_mama: I bought one off the swap, a dyed didymos indio zinc so we will be newbies together.
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following... considering trying a wrap
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@jetsa: Oooh! Pretty! Let me know how you like it! I just got my tracking number for the Lila. @grizz: I ordered it from your friend! I'm so excited to get it.
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@keiki_mama: lol, congrats on that. The indio's are gorgeous. I saw one at my meeting last night and was hooked. The girls said they are great for the heat too
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Question - Is there advantages of different weight of wraps? I see on the Didymos page you can sort by weight. Since we are looking for something for hot weather, should I just sort by the lightest cotton weight? Or what are the advantages of a heavier weight (can you get a better fit)?
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Oh oh oh following and joining! I just recently joined the world of trying to understand wrapping and actually bought a wrap of The Swap last month! A Girasol Romatique in size 4. It's a -1 from my base but I couldn't pass up the color/pattern plus figured I can carry #2 in a Rebozo tummy to tummy (haha look at me pretending I know what in the world I am talking about...).
When searching for what I wanted, I did a ton of reading on TheBabyWearer and Paxbaby websites plus followed Babywearing102 on FB for all the pics of people doing various wrap carries. It was all like learning a foreign language for the first couple weeks but now I "think" I am starting to get it. I tried wrapping DD's Hello Kitty doll over the weekend with the Girasol over the weekend and it was a huge fail. I am going to try again this weekend with the doll and with DD. It's such a steep learning curve and quite daunting, but I so want to warp #2 when she comes along in June!
He thoroughly enjoyed it though and asked for more.
This is so dangerous... Reply
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