How to Use a Baby Wrap (Tips & Tricks)
Our stretchy baby wraps are a popular way to carry your baby, especially with newborns. Here at hope&plum we are known for our ring slings but have recently added a stretchy baby wrap to our offerings! We are happy to add the option to our selection of carriers so every caregiver can find a comfortable way to wear their baby. You can read all about why we love our baby wraps in another blog post. Read on here for some baby wrap tips & tricks as well as frequently asked questions about how to use our baby wraps and make babywearing fun and easy.
The Short Version
- Tie your wrap snugly, before putting baby in. It should feel as tight as a fitted t-shirt or bathing suit. The stretch means baby will still fit comfortably.
- All three fabric passes (two cross passes and the chest pass) must be spread knee-to-knee and up to baby's neck for a safe carry.
- Baby wraps are front-carry only; they are not safety tested for outward-facing or hip carries.
- The wrap works for babies 7–35 lbs, though many find it most practical under 20 lbs. Two inclusive lengths are available to suit a range of body sizes.
- Once tied correctly, you can pop baby in and out throughout the day without re-tying. This is great for newborn appointments or on-the-go days.
How to Tie Your Baby Wrap
Even before you can put baby in, you have to set up your wrap. It's important to get your wrap tied on snug so baby is safe and you're both comfortable. The best part is that once you tie your wrap on correctly, you can pop baby in and out throughout the day. This feature makes the baby wrap a perfect carrier for all those newborn well checks or snuggling one second and changing a diaper the next.
Find the hope&plum label and center it on your chest
This is called the "middle marker." You'll find it in the middle of the fabric along one of the hems of your wrap. Hold it to your chest. Some people like to hold in place with their chin. You don't need to do this unless it slips down.
Wrap one side around your back and over your shoulder
Holding just the top hem of one side of the wrap, bring it under your arm. Pass it to your other hand behind your back. Stretch it over your shoulder. It should be hanging down your front on the opposite side. Bunch it up onto your shoulder. Repeat with the other side.
Snug up the chest pass you just made
The wrap going across your chest is called a "chest pass." Pull on the two straps coming over your shoulders. The wrap should feel as snug as a tight t-shirt, tube top, or bathing suit.
Pass the shoulder straps through the chest pass
Bunch up the shoulder passes in one hand. Use the other hand to pull the chest pass a little bit out from your body. Pass the bunched up shoulder straps through the chest pass. They should hang out the bottom.
Lay the shoulder straps flat and tighten again
Flatten out the shoulder straps. Check that they are not twisted by tracing the hems all the way up to your neck. Once they are flat, pull them again from under the chest pass. Again, make sure the chest pass feels as tight as a tight t-shirt, tube top, or bathing suit.
Cross the shoulder straps
Make an X with the shoulder straps. How high should the X be? Imagine holding your baby with their head on your chest. Where is their bottom? That's where your X should be. Keep tension on the straps, but don't pull the X out of place.
Tie off your wrap in a tight double knot
Holding tension, bring the straps around to your back. You have a few options for tying off. You can tie off behind your back. If you have more length, you can bring them around again and tie off in your front or on your side. Then bunch the chest pass up and move it out of the way.
The key to a supportive carry in a baby wrap is to get the wrap nice and snug before you put baby in. Really make sure it's tight enough to make you think baby might not fit. The wrap will stretch, and baby will fit! If you leave any slack, it'll feed to your baby after a few minutes. You won't be comfortable, and, what's more, baby may be too low to be safely carried.
How to Put Your Baby In Your Wrap
Once you've tied your baby wrap on, it's time to grab baby. Snuggles incoming!
Put baby's legs through the cross passes
If you haven't already, move the chest pass out of the way. Then with baby in hand, find the bottom cross pass. This is the one right against your body. Slip one of baby's legs through the cross pass. Bunch it into their knee pit. Repeat with the other leg in the other cross pass.
Spread the cross passes over baby's back
Go back to that first, bottom cross pass. Find just the inside hem. This is the hem close to your neck. Spread that hem over to baby's other knee pit and up over baby's back. Repeat with the other cross pass. Both passes should be spread from knee pit to knee pit and across baby's back.
Spread the cross pass up to baby's neck
Remember that cross pass you moved out of the way? Now's the time to find it! Bring it up over baby's back. Make sure it reaches all the way to baby's neck to provide good support. The bottom should be tucked around baby's bottom, supporting them knee to knee.
Check baby's positioning and adjust the carrier
Baby should be positioned safely and snuggly in your wrap. Check that their airway is clear and the wrap fabric isn't blocking their face. If it is, you can spread the shoulder straps out further (or do this anyway for better weight distribution). If the fabric is still in baby's face, you can do a shoulder flip on either or both shoulders.
Safety Tip: You need all three passes for a safe carry! Make sure they're all spread from knee to knee and over baby's back. The chest pass should come up to baby's neck.
Our Top Baby Wrap Tips & Tricks
- Place baby in the baby wrap when they are happy and content.
- When prepping the wrap for your baby, tighten it up so it's about the same feel as a bathing suit or a fitted t-shirt. Since there is some stretch, you won't need as much space as you think. Less adjusting of the wrap = happier baby!
- Once in the baby wrap, ensure you can easily see baby's airway at all times, that they are high enough in the carrier for you to kiss their head, and that their spine and neck are both well supported.
- If you or baby become frustrated or uncomfortable, take a break and come back and try again! Practice often and it’ll get easier with time.
Baby Wrap Frequently Asked Questions
There is so much fabric and I’m not sure where to start, help!
We understand that the amount of fabric can be intimidating, but we promise that once you practice it’s not as difficult as it might seem. We have lots of great videos on our IG page. You can learn how to get the wrap on your body and get baby into the wrap by checking out the tutorials on our socials.
What is the weight limit for the baby wrap? Is it just for newborns or can I wear my toddler in it?
Our baby wraps have a tested weight range from 7-35 lbs. Most people find the wrap works best for them until baby is about 15-20 lbs.
Is the wrap one size fits all? How do I know what length to get?
We offer two inclusive lengths to accommodate a wide range of sizes. Our Short is 4.7 yards and our Long is 5.7 yards. When tying the wrap on you want to have enough left over to tie a secure knot. The Short length will be comfortable for wearers with t-shirt sizes XXS-L, while the Long length will be comfortable for wearers with t-shirt sizes XL-6X.
How many ways can I use the wrap? Can I outward face in it?
We recommend that our baby wraps be used for a front, parent-facing carry only. It has not been safety tested to carry a child forward/world facing. If you’re looking for a way to hip carry your toddler, our ring sling is a fantastic option for those babes who like to enjoy looking around and interacting with others.
How do I prevent the baby wrap from getting loose or sagging?
To ensure you and baby stay comfortable and supportive make sure to take out any extra slack in the fabric. Our wraps are made of Tencel and Cotton, so they are soft, supportive, and breathable, with a little bit of stretch. You don’t need as much space in the wrap as you think, so make sure it is secure but not overly tight; this will help prevent sagging later on as baby's weight shifts and moves.
Is there a time limit for using a wrap?
There’s no time limit! You can wear your baby in a stretchy wrap as long as you’re both comfortable and happy. In fact, baby-wearing for three hours a day significantly reduces newborn crying — 43 percent overall and 51 percent at night. So hold that baby!
Meet the Author
Skye Amundsen
Skye Amundsen is the co-founder of hope&plum and a mom of four. She's been obsessed with babywearing since her first baby and built this brand to make it easier, more inclusive, and a lot more fun for everyone who comes after her.
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