This baby carrier is hand-woven and made from 100% cotton fabric. It is lightweight and very breatheable, an ideal wrap for the warmer months of the year. Wrap around carriers are one of the most versitile babywearing products. They can be tied to carry children on the front facing outwards and inwards, on both hips and on the back facing forwards.
When it's not wrapped around adult and child, this wrap is one long piece of fabric. It is 68.58 centimeters (27 inches) wide and comes in a range of lengths; 2.7 m, 3.6 m, 4.2 m, 4.6 m and 5 m.
Unlike some wraps (for example the hug-a-bub) there is no pocket or contrasting colour to mark the centre of the wrap on the ellaroo woven wraps. Given that locating the centre of the wrap is the first step to tying any position, this is a minor downside to the ellaroo woven wraps. My partner and I quickly overcame this by making a small mark on the edge of the fabric at the centre in black texta - small enough to only be found when looking for it.
Woven wraps have their advantages over stretchy wraps. First, stretchy wraps are sometimes not able to take the weight of babies after about six months of age, instead the wrap allows the baby to stretch further down the parents' body, making it uncomfortable for the parent. Woven wraps, on the other hand, do not have nearly as much give as stretchy wraps, so are better able to uphold and support bigger babies and children.
Personally I felt that the woven wrap was sturdier than the stretchy wrap. This is because as soon as you put your baby into a wrap their weight will cause the wrap to give a little, so you must tie wraps around yourself tighter than you expect to ensure that the child doesn't sink down too much. I found that woven wraps don't need to be tied as tight before placing my child in them because they do not give as much as stretchy wraps.
I have found that the woven wrap has been far easier to care for than the stretchy wraps. I am able to get away with washing the woven wrap less often than the stretchy wraps because the stretchy wraps are suseptible to stress tears if not washed regularly (losing their stretch capacity over time between washes). I also find that after wearing the woven wraps they are easier to fold and put away because the sides do not roll up and under as much as with stretchy wraps - they're easier to smooth out.
Having said that I found it easier to adjust the stretchy wrap while wearing it than the woven wrap because the stretchy wrap fabric moves around on the body (neither could be adjusted while the baby was in them, for that a ring sling is ideal). To adjust the woven wrap I usually take it off and start from the start again.
I have not been able to breastfeed my baby while wearing her in the woven wrap - but this is something I have struggled to do in all carriers, so that is more a reflection on me than the wrap. I prefered the stretchy wrap for breastfeeding because I would take baby out of the carrier, pop a breast out between the fabric and feed, then adjust the wrap after feeding before putting baby back in. With the woven wrap I took it completely off to feed.
Personally I felt that the woven wrap was sturdier than the stretchy wrap. This is because as soon as you put your baby into a wrap their weight will cause the wrap to give a little, so you must tie wraps around yourself tighter than you expect to ensure that the child doesn't sink down too much. I found that woven wraps don't need to be tied as tight before placing my child in them because they do not give as much as stretchy wraps.
I have found that the woven wrap has been far easier to care for than the stretchy wraps. I am able to get away with washing the woven wrap less often than the stretchy wraps because the stretchy wraps are suseptible to stress tears if not washed regularly (losing their stretch capacity over time between washes). I also find that after wearing the woven wraps they are easier to fold and put away because the sides do not roll up and under as much as with stretchy wraps - they're easier to smooth out.
Having said that I found it easier to adjust the stretchy wrap while wearing it than the woven wrap because the stretchy wrap fabric moves around on the body (neither could be adjusted while the baby was in them, for that a ring sling is ideal). To adjust the woven wrap I usually take it off and start from the start again.
I have not been able to breastfeed my baby while wearing her in the woven wrap - but this is something I have struggled to do in all carriers, so that is more a reflection on me than the wrap. I prefered the stretchy wrap for breastfeeding because I would take baby out of the carrier, pop a breast out between the fabric and feed, then adjust the wrap after feeding before putting baby back in. With the woven wrap I took it completely off to feed.
When wearing my baby in the woven wrap I don't feel her weight, the wrap takes it for me, she feels very secure and supported. It is very comfortable because it covers both shoulders rather than favouring one. Because wraps do not have straps and the fabric can be spread out across the shoulders I have found it to be more comfortable than soft structured carriers.
I have never felt the need for another woven wrap, the ellaroo meets my woven needs. I adore the colour schemes ellaroo have to offer (that's the only thing that tempts me to get more woven wraps). If I was stranded on a dessert island and could only take one baby carrier I would choose this one because of its versitility, support and funky colours.
*this was written when my child was 7 months of age.
The Sling Stations Says This About Woven Wraps:
*this was written when my child was 7 months of age.
The Sling Stations Says This About Woven Wraps:
The most comfortable; The most versatile; the best support for baby; Ergonomic support for both baby and the caregiver Studies show that wraps support the spine and hips better than any other carrier – especially for newborns. Many people who have back trouble report that the wrap is the only carrier they can comfortably use for long periods. Cons:Lots of fabric. Can get hot. Somewhat steep learning curve (most people can learn at least one tying method in 15-20 minutes of practice)...They do everything the stretchy wraps do and more! This is our favorite overall carrier . More supportive & versatile than the stretchy wrap. Carry your newborn to 3 year old on your front, back, or hip The higher end woven wraps such as The Storchenwiege are almost as cuddly as our stretchy wrap and highly recommend for newborns as well as toddlers. Breathable fabrics will keep you cooler and there are many more ways to tie your woven wrap.
Related Links
The Making of the Wrap Colour Options
(The ellaroo featured in the photos above is called the "LaRae" colour scheme)
Figuring Out The Size For You
(The ellaroo featured in the photos above is 4.6m, and used by someone who is 100kg x 170cm. Having the extra length of a 5m wrap would have been more convenient)
For Wrap Instructions
This site has excellent instructions on all the different positions you can carry your baby in, in a wrap. It is clear and concise and has pictures to help you as you go.
Wrap Your Baby
A site all about using wraps.
You can also use these videos from youtube to help you:
Front Carry:
Back Carry:
Changing From a Front Carry To a Back Carry
Back Carry:
Changing From a Front Carry To a Back Carry
Nursing in a Wrap:
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