Mothers swear by the effectiveness of baby carriers. It allows them to keep their babies close to their bodies while doing other tasks. Modern parents claim that their baby carrier should be part of every baby essentials list. It has plenty of benefits for mothers and children alike.
It boosts the production of oxytocin (the love hormone) caused by prolonged physical contact between moms and babies, and it reduces the need for bulky strollers when out in public. But not all baby carriers are the same. Some mothers choose to use a lightweight baby carrier wrap.
If you are considering this type of carrier for your bub, then here are several facts about the lightweight baby carrier wrap that you must know:
What Are Baby Carrier Wraps?
Baby wraps are one of the soft fabric options used by baby wearers all over the world. It often comes as a long piece of fabric that you need to fold and wrap all over you and your baby. Most of the time, moms of newborns choose a lightweight baby carrier wrap to use as they help their child transition from the womb to the outside world. Mothers who use this enjoy the tighter bond between them and their children as they carry them cozily in front of them.
Some of the best features of baby wraps include their swaddle-like design. It reportedly replicated the feeling of being inside the womb, which is perfect for newborn children. Because of its lightweight material, this baby carrier is ideal to use during the warm summer months. The fabric used in this type of wrap is also breathable, which is why most mothers in tropical countries choose this for babywearing.
How to Take Care of Baby Carrier Wraps?
Generally, baby carrier wraps do not need frequent washing. But you still need to keep it clean to keep your baby safe all the time. If you are using a lightweight baby carrier wrap made with 100 percent cotton, you may machine wash it occasionally. Keep the temperature between 30 to 60 degrees Celsius and a maximum speed of 1000 to protect the fabric. While most cotton baby wraps can stand a gentle drier cycle, you still need to check the label first to make sure that you can speed up its drying process. You may also iron it once in a while, using the lowest temperature setting.
Meanwhile, wraps made with linen need different maintenance compared to cotton wraps. First, most linen wraps need washing with 60 degrees Celsius water. But you must always check the label to know the right water temperature to avoid damaging the fabric. It would be best if you steamed iron the linen wrap every two to three days. It is recommended to iron the linen wrap if it is still a little damp from the washing to maintain some moisture in the fabric.
You may also wash baby wraps made with other fabrics like silk, hemp, wool, or cashmere. As a rule, check the label before putting it in the laundry to know the appropriate water temperature to use with each textile. It would be best if you also veered away from using liquid detergents that have bleach to avoid damaging the colors. More importantly, you need to wash and iron your new wrap before using it to remove any accumulated dirt from the stores. This process can save your baby’s sensitive skin from possible irritation.
Aside from learning how to take care of baby carriers, you also need to learn how to choose a baby carrier correctly. You need to consider the longevity of the product if you want your child to use it for a long time. It must also provide the best comfort and fit for you and the baby since ill-fitting carriers can do more harm than good. Also, buying a machine-washable carrier should be on top of your list since babies tend to get messy all the time.
