I know about the many benefits of babywearing, but man I am already hot! How can I wear my little man without dying from the heat? Living in Minnesota, it has been a HOT summer! I wanted to be able to wear my new little guy, but I was already so hot! Adding a layer of cloth didn’t sound like fun at all, he is such a little hot box too, I didn’t want either of us to be miserable. Plus, I wanted to be able to go to the beach or pool with my 20 month old daughter, but I needed to have free hands to do that. So when I talked with Diane at Water Wrap Carriers about a review and she agreed, I was ecstatic!!!
The more I learned, the more fascinated I was by Diane. She is a mom to 4 kiddos in southern Texas. She has been babywearing since her first was born in 2000. She learned more about babywearing as the years went on, and in 2009 when her 4th baby was 2 months old, she realized the NEED for something to wear in the water.
What I find fascinating, is they unschool. I haven’t heard of this before, or maybe I have and don’t remember. Along with her husband and four children, they have 2 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, a flock of chickens and 5goats they share with their inlaws. Read more about Diane on the website. Water Wrap Carriers are made from 100 % polyester jersey offering just the right amount of stretch and breathability. The water wrap carrier is lightweight and comfortable to wear in the water. Plus, it dries fast because of the jersey like material. There are no buckles, snaps, or neoprene. Just a long piece of comfortable, lightweight cloth with tapered ends. They are 15 ft in length and 20 inches at the center. These wraps are shorter than standard wraps to minimize the amount of fabric covering you and baby.
Water wrap carriers are available in 3 different sizes: One size fits most, XL, and petite. They are available in 8 different colors and each wrap comes with a full color instructional booklet. We received the Carribean Blue and absolutely LOVE the color. It’s a bright, fun color and makes me think of the water each time I look at it. The material has a silky like feel to it, so it is definitely comfortable. The wrap can be used from 8 lbs to approximately 30 lbs. Because of the nature of the material, they do not include sun protection.
Although the wraps themselves are not eco friendly, because of Diane’s love for our earth, they are working on a more eco friendly option for the wrap.
The water wrap carrier has a 2 way stretch, and can be used in multiple carry positions, although only the tummy to tummy carry is recommended in the water. Because of the slippery feel of the material, and the width of the material, it is not suitable for a back carry.
Because of the risk of asphyxiation, breastfeeding in the wrap is not recommended. Find out more on their FAQ page. The fabric of the wrap is made in China, but the wraps themselves are made in the USA!
Maggie was 20 months old when Charlie man was born. Last summer, she didn’t really care to play in the water too much. This summer though, is another story. Great for her, tough on mommy. I couldn’t take her to the beach or pool unless somebody else was with me because I needed to be able to take care of Charlie and still be in the water with her. The first time we used our Water Wrap Carrier, we were at my cousins pool. I was so excited to try it out with Charlie, but he had other plans and slept the entire time in his car seat! So, we had to try it out with Maggie. Since the entire pool is too deep for her, I wrapped her around me and in we went. She thought it was awesome! She could explore and still be right with mommy. This lasted for a little while, then she had to get out of the wrap and explore on her own – so exciting! I love the way the water wrap holds her snugly against me both in and out of the water.
One thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to lose the baby weight, so we go for walks every day. It is so very, very hot out, so I was glad to give this wrap a shot to see if it really was cooler than some of my other wraps. I wrapped Charlie around me, pushed Maggie and off we went. Since he is always hot too, we both are usually sweating. Now, it was 100 degrees for many straight days,so we were still sweating, but the water wrap carrier was much more lightweight and breathable. Charlie enjoys it that he can be tucked up against me and not overheated. We still can’t stay out in the heat too long at a time, but the wrap was fantastic for us to have. I can even wrap him up and wear him while I am playing bean bag toss with the family and get a little air to his little body.  |
| Even leaning forward, he stays snug against me |
As I was using this out on the boat, a thought crossed my mind. I am the type of mom who thinks of everything that could possibly go wrong, and so when I go out on the boat with him, I worry because life jackets are too big for him still. I don’t know about everywhere, but I know in Minnesota, the law doesn’t require a life jacket on an infant until they are 6 months old because they don’t fit properly. I am fairly certain Wisconsin is the same, since that is where these were taken and a life jacket doesn’t fit him. Earlier that day, I had him out in the boat in a sling, which worked well, but when I put him in the wrap, I was much more confident that he was safe when I was getting in or out of the boat, and the entire time we were on it. I kept thinking, if something happened, I could keep him afloat and be sure that he didn’t fall away from me. I wasn’t the only one thinking that, my family made that comment as well. This wrap worked so wonderful for Charlie and his almost 3 hour nap on the lake. Because of this, I fell completely in love with this. We are not cooking to death, yet I know he is safe and snug with me.
I was always leary about wearing wraps. When my daughter was born, I got a moby, and she screamed almost every time we used it. In her defense, all the girl ever wanted to do was to eat! Since having Charlie, I have become more comfortable with them. I found the water wrap carrier to be easy to use. It is shorter than the other wraps I use, so I have to tie it in back of me instead of in front. That being said, my daughter is 22 pounds – so, close to the maximum recommended weight of 30 pounds. We still have plenty of material left after tying the wrap on, so I am confident that it will last us to 30 pounds.
After only a few times using our water wrap carrier, I was able to get it adjusted just right on the first try. The brochure that came with our wrap shows detailed, easy to follow pictures to tie the wrap correctly. These pictures make it possible for somebody who has never used one to figure out how to wear their baby in a wrap in just a few minutes. Diane has also decided to give one of you lucky readers a chance to win one! Yay! Be sure to sign up to receive my mumblings in your inbox so you don’t miss the giveaway (or any of my other coolness).
Are you a babwearing mama (or daddy)? Have you ever used a water wrap carrier before? What did you think? What is your favorite type of wrap or baby carrier?*While I wore my baby in this on the boat, please remember – this wrap is not an appropriate restraint for riding in any vehicle, including a boat. Please use proper equipment including a car seat in a car & a personal floatation device made for babies small children in a boat.*
*I received this Water Wrap Carrier free of charge for the purpose of this review, however, all thoughts and opinions are 100 % mine. Thank you Diane!*
I would love to have one of these. I have a 2 month old and a toddler and it would work with both. I think it is a great way to get babies used to the water because they are so close to you they wouldn’t be scared.
Kristen Bobbitt
We have a little one due next February. This seems likea a great alternative to our Moby.
These look awesome. I wear my baby everywhere, but I have been dying for a water wrap. It would be great for the pool, but I honestly would use it to wear my daughter in the shower. =)
I would wear my newborn to the beach in Hawaii on our vacation coming up!!
I like to wear my baby around the kitchen when I’m trying to cook…it gets toasty in there with the oven on, etc!
ayakers (at) gmail (dot) com
I love that you can use these in the water! I wear my daughter when we go to the store, doing yard work, hiking and so many more!
jbang0331(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love wearing my little one for a lot of reasons. One of them is that I’m stingy and don’t want to share. I love that I can keep them close and snuggled just a little bit longer. My ring sling was awesome at Christmas a few years ago when our November baby was born. “Oh, it’s so hard to get him in and out, I know you want to hold him, but I would really rather leave him now that he’s comfortable” LOL!! I have been keeping my eye out for water wraps now that we are in TX, because there is a pool here. Our littlest guy is fine if you hold him but hates floaties or anything like that. He pretty much just freaks out.
I wear my sweetie everywhere! She is on me for 95% of the day. A cooler wrap would be wonderful!
these sound amazing- and how gorgeous!! i would love one of these- i have never tried a water wrap but it would be so handy- whenever we go to the hot springs my son just wants to be held & nurse! it would be great to be able to get around & explore a little without having to just sit in one spot & nurse him the whole time! 🙂 (which is awesome, of course! :] ) not to mention the fact that they’re cooler.. that is incredible! our beco does get pretty hot on our long hikes in the mountains- a cooler wrap would be so nice!! thanks so much for the giveaway! 🙂
I love to wear my baby everywhere! Cooking, cleaning, shopping… I try to wear her in a water Hotsling, but it turns her feet blue. 🙁 If I don’t win, I am DEFINITELY buying one of these wraps.
this is amazing, i love swimming and this would make it so much easier
I wear my daughter everywhere when we go out. She loves swimming with our water wrap. I would love another or one to give to another mama.
I want one of these soooo bad! I have an almost 2-year-old and a 5-month-old so this would make it possible for me to take both of my boys swimming!!
I babywear because I’m trying to keep up with my toddler or when I’m running errands. I’d love a water wrap especially in hot weather!
I would wear this to go walking! My other wrap is black and just SO hot to wear.
Wonderful review! I loved wearing DD when she was younger, and am looking forward to it with this one. My wrap was especially handy during dance practice, and this one would probably be so much cooler!
We love to wear our little one everywhere! This would come in so handy next summer when she spends more time outside and in the water!
I would love to have this for when visiting family in Southern Alabama and all the swimming we do there!
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My favorite is the sky blue. I would love to have this to wear my baby in the pool and it would be especially great for the hot summers in Texas!
I love wearing my son at the mall. It’s so much easier to have my hands free, and not worry about pushing a stroller places where it won’t fit.
The new baby, I plan to where EVERYWHERE lol
I love that this can go in the water. Next summer I will be chasing a 2 year old and with a newborn, it would make the pool much easier. We babywear everywhere so why would the pool be any different 🙂
I love it! I wear my little one everywhere!
my daughter in law wore it everywhere…she loved it!
i would love to try this with my son! i don’t own any wraps.
I think a carrier is a must in the grocery store! No more cranky baby.
I like wearing my baby when we’re in the store or sometimes for a short walk.
I have been looking for a good wrap, but have put off getting one because I was concerned that they would be too hot. I would love to try one like this!
This looks great, I have always wanted one of these wraps. I love that it will keep both mommy and baby cool!
My little guy napped and played on our weekend trip to the zoo and the science museum. His big brother is in a full body cast and was using the stroller so babywearing was just perfect for him.
I love wearing my little guy and this would be really nice for swimming with him!
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I live in Florida- and this looks like it will keep the little one nice and cool. I could really use one of these!
This is awesome! Id love to try it! Especially in the water! It would make life with a toddler and a infant so much easier in the summer!!