Moby Wrap Baby Carrier: Affordable, Stylish, Versatile and Comfortable

My first baby carrier was a sling. Supposedly, they are easy for beginning baby wearers to use, but I never was very good at baby wearing with a sling. Neither my baby nor I could get comfortable with it, and it wasn't snug enough for my new son's liking. Slings put too much weight on my shoulder, so I needed something that would distribute the weight evenly across my back and shoulders. I began shopping for something more versatile and snug, and finally I decided to give the Moby Wrap a go.

I ordered my Moby Wrap online for roughly $40, which is quite inexpensive for a baby carrier. I purchased it in chocolate brown, which will match anything I wear but isn't dark enough to attract animal hair. There are 13 colors, two of which are UV resistant for an additional $5. I opted not to go with one of the nicer Moby D wraps, which cost $20 more and come with a designer front panel.

The Moby Wrap is essentially a long piece of fabric, 5.5 meters in length, two feet wide but folded in half long-ways. It is so much fabric that at first, it is overwhelming! I was intimidated at first, and my first two attempts at wrapping were awkward but successful. By the time I had done it about four times, I had the hang of it. It's easier than it looks.

First you center the Moby Wrap tag at your waist. Bring one tail over your back and across the opposite shoulder; repeat with the other tail. Tuck them both under the center waist panel. Adjust the fabric so it doesn't bunch up; this makes it more comfortable. Now cross the two tails, and wrap them around your waist. You can tie them in back or bring them around to your front again and tie them there. You then place your baby's leg through one shoulder piece, then the other, and spread the fabric over your baby's bottom. Pull the front fabric over him to secure him, and then make any needed adjustments.

The Moby Wrap is very versatile. Your baby can face you or the world with his legs out or in. You can pull a shoulder piece over his head if he needs to be snug sleeping or kept out of the sun. You can nurse in the Moby with some adjusting. Your baby can have his arms tucked in, folded in front of him, or hanging out of the sides between the waist panel and shoulder pieces. You can also wear your baby on your hip or your back. You can put the shoulder pieces under the baby's arms, if he wants more movement, but be sure to support him in such a position yourself. There are even two carries for twins!

The Moby Wrap is one size fits all. It can be used for babies from newborn to age 3. It will fit both men and women of almost any size. You choose what size you need by tying it loose or tight. I have heard some say that it is so stretchy that they didn't feel comfortable wearing their babies in it past three months. I have not had this problem. My son is going on six months, and we're both still enjoying our time in the Moby wrap. I do sometimes have to retie it if I wear it for long periods, though. I would recommend choosing a less stretchy carrier when wearing larger babies for a long time.

I have heard people say that the Moby Wrap is too hot in the summer because it is so much fabric. I haven't yet worn it in the summer, but I do imagine it would get quite warm. I definitely recommend investing in a summer baby carrier like a Mei Tei, which has less fabric. I would definitely not advise trying to wear it in the pool!

I feel the Moby is quite stylish. It looks so much more natural and fashionable than other baby carriers, and it is far more interesting than the sling--perhaps because it is less common. Nearly every time I go out, someone asks me where I purchased such an interesting sling. It's not padded and modern-looking like baby carriers such as the Snugli. Unlike pouches, it sort of looks as though the baby is being worn in a shirt! It definitely scores a lot of 'cool points.'

Washing it is a breeze. Out of caution, I washed it the same way I would wash any delicates. It seemed to shrink somewhat in the wash. After I used it again a few times, it seemed to return to its former size. The fabric did not weaken at all in the wash.

The Moby Wrap could also double as a rebozo, which is used to carry babies by tying the two tails and simply creating a pouch. In the winter, when not being used as a carrier, it could serve as a baby blanket when folded a few times or even a shawl for the mother.

The Moby Wrap is affordable, stylish, versatile and comfortable. There are many types of carries to choose from, and it can be used by parents and babies of many sizes. It may take time and practice to become an expert at wrapping it. It may be too hot to wear in the summer, and it may be too stretchy to be worn comfortably with older babies. I have not yet been successful at securing either of my children in the hike position, for I find it to difficult to wrap it from the back. All in all, this is a great carrier well worth the little I spent!