The best baby wraps–and expert tips on how to use them

Solly Baby wraps have a dedicated fanbase–and for good reason! (One Motherly editor even calls it her “most favorite piece of baby gear ever.”)  Made from a super lightweight and sustainable  TENCEL™ Modal fabric, they’re thinner than other wraps on the market and twice as soft as cotton. The breathability makes them a top choice for warm climates, though with the heat babies put off, it’s a great option anywhere, anytime. They’re also a popular pick in NICUs given their supremely gentle fabric and as such, have donated hundreds of wraps to NICU nurses all over the country.

And since it’s comprised of just one long strip of fabric, there’s no tricky sizing to calculate and it can be used by every caregiver on your roster! (It also makes it incredibly compact and easy to stuff into a diaper bag.) Note that babies can only be carried in the front, inward-facing position from 8-25 pounds. Need help? Check out their library of tutorials or schedule a free virtual consult right on their website.

Prices start at $74

The award-winning classic Moby is also made from a simple strip of stretchy fabric, however in this case it’s a thicker cotton. On the plus side, that allows it to be used in two different carry positions (inward front-facing and hip carry) and up to 33 pounds. Versatile baby gear that lasts? Yes please.

On the other hand, it’s quite a bit warmer for both wearer and baby. If you’re due in the summer or live in a warm climate, it may not be your top choice. It’s also quite a bit longer than other wraps which makes it tricky to tie when you’re out of the house and don’t want to drag it all over the ground. That said, it makes it easy to swap between caregivers that widely range in size. I’m a petite 5’2″ and shared with my very not petite 6’2″ partner with no problem at all.

If you’re worried that tying a wrap is too complicated, consider the Líllé baby Dragonfly. The easy-to-use design is made from two pieces of fabric–one piece with two panels of fabric that pass over the shoulders diagonally across the body like a shirt and a second separate piece of fabric that’s tied horizontally around both caregiver and baby. Since the main piece is pre-threaded through the back, it’s easy to adjust and tighten without assistance.

The all-natural Supima Cotton and Modal blend fabric is soft and stretchy, and like the other wraps it’s made in just one size that can easily be shared. It’s designed for inward front-facing only and can be used up to 30 pounds.

The award-winning Baby K’tan offers something no other wrap on our list offers–five distinct ways to use it. (Yep, five.) Despite the fact it’s free of any hardware, the patented double loop design can be used to carry infants up to 35 pound toddlers in two forward-facing carries, seated sideways, forward-facing and even as a hip carrier. Putting it on is super simple, with enough fabric to stretch over your babe, but not so much that it drags all over or requires extra hands to get them situated. There’s also an added sash that can be used to provide extra support which also converts to a carry bag when not in use. The only drawback is that this one is sized, making it harder to swap between caregivers. (Pro-tip: Size down if you’re in between!)

We’re also fans of the gorgeous hybrid style Simple Wrap from Lalabu. Aptly named, the fabric design marries the softness of a wrap with the convenience and support of more structured carriers. Just attach it at your waist and tighten the buckle, pull up the straps then tuck baby inside. A quick pull at the rings to tighten and you’re ready to roll. The fabric is super soft (like your most bougie T-shirt) and the colors are rich and organic feeling. The only drawback is that you’ll have to wait until your babe is 13 pounds to use it–but at the rate they grow, it happens fast!

Another fool-proof option is the award-winning KeaBabies D-Lite Wrap Carrier. Designed with a contoured back panel and two stretchy crisscross panels, it goes on like a T-shirt and tightens with a simple pull of the adjustable rings at the sides. Because of the wide back panel the fit feels consistent each time you put it on, and with baby’s weight evenly distributed, it’s comfortable enough to hold them all day long. And unlike most wraps which are limited to use through the baby years, this one actually works into toddlerhood, fitting little ones up to 44 pounds. For less than $40 bucks, it’s one of the best baby wrap values out there. It also fits a wide range of sizes (XS-XXL) and can easily swap between parents!

But perhaps there’s no simpler option than the Soothe Shirt from Lalabu. The innovative top is designed with a built in pouch for newborns up to 15 pounds to help make those early days of babywearing and bonding as stress-free as possible. Just tuck your little kangaroo inside and you’re off! There’s also a mesh panel inside to keep them from getting too hot and an extender to give them a little more room as they grow. Best of all, it comes with a built in nursing tank that allows you to seamlessly go from babywearing to breastfeeding!