Learn How to Use a Baby Wrap

How to Use a Baby Wrap

Welcome to the wonderful world of wrapping! There are many ways to tie your woven baby wrap and an exciting variety of carries you can do with each wrap size.

Choose one carry to begin with and practice that until you have mastered it. This way you will learn about how to work with the fabric to tighten and tie it properly.

We suggest beginning with Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC). Scroll down for a variety of tutorials.

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Practice with a teddy or doll and use the mirror - get comfortable before you try with your baby.

Tips for Settling Baby

'M' Position

Ensure baby's bottom is below their knees and fabric is knee-to-knee.

Close Enough to Kiss

Ensure little one's chin is not on their chest and that their face is clear of fabric.

Consider Your Comfort

Ensure the fabric is spread across your back without being twisted.

Supported Carry

Ensure the carry is snug enough to prevent baby slumping down, while still allowing a gentle curve of the spine.

Take Care Bending

Bend with your knees and support baby.

Be Mindful of Temperature

Be aware of baby's temperature when in the sling and avoid overheating. They may need less layers of clothing.

Learn to Tie a Front Wrap Cross Carry

The Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) is a good first woven baby wrap carry as it's comfortable and relatively easy to learn. A FWCC is usually wrapped using your 'Base Size', a versatile size which allows you to tie many front, hip and back carries. You can visit our size guide to learn more about choosing the right size for you and your little one.

Top tip: The passes of this carry can be spread for extra support for bigger kids, or for warmth.

Adapting a Front Wrap Cross Carry for a Newborn

For this newborn version of the woven wrap Front Wrap Cross Carry you will follow the steps for regular FWCC but you will twist the tails under baby’s bum before tying. This will avoid overspreading baby’s hips and having too much fabric beneath the legs.

You can roll up a muslin and tuck it under the top edge of the fabric for extra cushioning for baby’s head.

Explore More Wrap Carry Options

There are many different carries you can move on to once you have mastered the FWCC, these may provide a more comfortable carry as your little one grows or as your needs change.
Below you can find a selection of carries to give you an idea of what is possible.
See the full list of Oscha tutorials on our YouTube Channel & subscribe regular new additions.

See the Full List of Wrap Tutorials on our YouTube Channel

Kangaroo Carry Tutorial

A great carry for newborn babies as there are no twists, knots etc and also for toddlers who need to settle down to sleep and for a nap, this is a quick and easy wrap carry where you can pre-tie and then easily transfer baby to their bed.

Here Laurna is demonstrating with a Base -2 (a size 4 for her), you can also use a longer wrap by crossing the tails under bum, bring them under the legs and tie at your back.

No Sew Ring Sling

This clever tutorial guides you step by step through how to use a short wrap to create your own ring sling, all you need are a set of sling rings. This is a handy hip carry to learn and one of the many things you can achieve with a shorty sling. Laurna is demonstrating with her Base Size -4, which is a size 2 wrap. You can do this carry with your base size -2 to -4 depending on how long you like the tail of your sling to be.

Robin's Hip Carry

This is a very popular carry with babywearers and is a comfortable, one shoulder carry. You can do this carry with your base size -1, -2 or possibly even -3. If you have a longer wrap you can cross the tails under baby's bum and bring them round to your back to tie in a double knot. Here Laurna is using a size 5.

Semi-FWCC with a Pond Finish

This variation of the standard Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) creates a one shoulder carry with a 'fancy finish' as you twist the tails together to create a beautiful rope effect. Here it is demonstrated using a size 6 Oscha Starry Night Ocean Baby Wrap. You can use your Base Size or Base+1.

Starting Woven Wrap Back Carries

If you are trying back carrying we suggest you seek assistance from a Babywearing Consultant and practice over a bed or another soft surface while someone is there to help you. Read more about getting started with back carries here.

Ruck Tied in Front

One of the simplest back carries and a good choice to begin with, a Ruck can be tied in front with your Base -2 (here a size 4 wrap), or tied under bum with your Base -3 or -4.

Double Hammock

More complex and requiring a longer wrap (Base or Base +1 - here a size 7 is being used), Double Hammock is a very comfortable carry that also looks incredibly elegant.