The vast majority of baby wraps on the market have no patterns, are plain in color, and are well… boring. Black is a popular favorite as it hides the inevitable mess that comes with babywearing over a period of time.
It also matches any outfit.
At the end of the day though it is still dull and doesn’t give you much room to express your personality. We want to bring a bit of life back into your babywearing look!
So we went out there looking for the best baby wrap patterns on the market to brighten things up and get excited to wear your wrap again.
Baby Wrap Materials Overview
Before we dive in we wanted to summarize the materials used to manufacturer all of the baby wraps that made our list.
Most baby wraps are essentially a long piece of fabric (except the Baby K’tan). So the material used and the quality of that fabric is a critical part of your buying decision.
- Cotton – Familiar, soft, and breathable material that is super reliable.
- Blend – Often spandex added to cotton or viscose to give a soft blend that little bit more stretchiness.
- Viscose – Silky smooth, semi-synthetic material, but less durable.
- Lenzing modal – The underwear fabric, environmentally sustainable tree pulp-based material.
All are machine washable and make super soft wrap carriers that are comfortable for both you and your child.
Baby Wrap Performance Comparison
While our primary criteria for our rankings below is the pattern itself and entirely subjective, it is also important that it performs as a good quality baby carrier should.
Here are the top three on our list so that you can compare the technical stuff before we jump into the individual product reviews:
We also will be reviewing the following baby wraps with stunning patterns:
Best Baby Wraps with Patterns in 2021
1. Moby Wrap (Vintage Mickey & Friends)
When you have a baby it is almost a given that Disney will be a big part of your life for the next ten years (at least!). Kids love it, and a lot of parents do too.
Moby has partnered with Disney to create a vintage Mickey Mouse print on a baby wrap. There is also a Minnie Mouse option if you prefer and they both make for a very cute babywearing experience.
A past version of this list had the Moby UV50+ as our fourth pic. But we think this new version is a winner while upholding the quality standards of all Moby Wraps.
The color of the fabric is subtle and can complement almost any outfit, and the subtle cotton pattern is a nice touch.
You get 18ft of stretchy fabric and will need to learn how to tie it off yourself. This is tricky at first but after you practice putting it on a few times you will master it in no time (check the video at the end of this post for a useful demonstration).
Pros
- Choice of Mickey, Minnie, and vintage pattern
- long enough for tandem carry if you have twins
Cons
- Higher price point
2. Boba Wrap (Origami Circles Pattern)
The standard Boba wrap comes in a wide range of colors, but not much in the way of patterns.
We used to love the Stardust pattern (no. 1 on the last version of this list!) but we have not seen this available for some time. The origami circles are nice but it is a notch below the Stardust and this is why it has dropped to number two in our latest update.
In terms of baby wrap performance, you lose nothing with the Boba compared to the Moby. There is very little to tell them apart. This is why we think you should focus on what pattern you like the most.
Even if one costs slightly more than the other we think that if you get excited to wear it – and do so more often – then the value is there.
The origami pattern could be described as safe. Not an amazing eye-catcher, but just the right amount of life in the design without losing that conservative undertone. But check out the full range as the price of each pattern can vary a lot even though you are getting the same wrap – you might be able to pick up a bargain.
The material used is a unique blend of cotton (25%), spandex (7%), and viscose (68%). This creates a thicker fabric that is slightly heavier than the other wraps on our list, but the difference is only a few ounces.
You get an amazing fit with the blended fabric and it matches the Moby on weight capacity at 35 pounds. It is not as breathable as the 100% cotton wraps and may not be as suitable for your baby in warmer weather.
Pros
- A broader selection of colors and patterns
- Cheaper price (depending on which one you choose)
- Also long enough for tandem carry if you have twins
Cons
- The heaviest wrap on our list
- Not as breathable as cotton
3. Baby K’tan Wrap (Dandelion Pattern)
The Baby K’tan is not an ordinary wrap and provides a great alternative for those who don’t like the process of tying off the wrap knots.
You will find a huge range of colors and patterns available with the Baby K’tan. If the Dandelion isn’t for you then have a look through what is on offer. You will find a range of plain color prints and some more edgy patterns.
The leopard skin caught our eye the most! And of course, you can always go for plain black with the Baby K’tan Original if you prefer.
The unique design resembles a structured carrier and comes with pre-made double loop shoulder straps and arm holes. This makes it a very user-friendly option for those who have not yet mastered the Wrap Technique. It is an easy hands-free baby carrier.
You can take it on and off quickly which makes it great for use around the house.
The weight limit is 35 pounds and on par with the Boba and Moby. This places it more in the wrap category and falls short of the best baby carriers which are usually 45 lbs.
The downside is that the carrier is less flexible in terms of the size of the user. So you need to consult the sizing chart to ensure you buy the correct one. There are obvious limitations if mom and dad have vastly different body shapes.
The pouch shape is great for newborns and infants and is a very snug fit that your young one will love! With 100% cotton material used can easily be machine washed to keep it looking fresh – despite the white color.
You also get a small carry bag for the carrier so you can slip it into your diaper bag when not in use,
Pros
- User-friendly design (no need to wrap baby)
- No rings or tying required
- Lots of colors and patterns to choose from
- 5 positions
- Great for around the house
Cons
- Requires size selection
4. Solly Baby Wrap
We had to include at least one baby wrap with an animal print pattern.
Aside from the stunning pattern, the main selling point of the Solly Wrap is that it is made from lenzing modal (a material produced from tree pulp). So if you are environmentally conscious then you may be willing to sacrifice some performance elements in support of these values.
Where the Solly baby wrap comes up short is the maximum capacity is just 25 lbs, and the materials being a couple of feet shorter than the Moby and the Boba. The length is not that significant but if you plan on babywearing past that first year then you may go over the limit.
If you only think that you will be using your wrap in that first year when you are first bonding with your baby, and are likely to be breastfeeding more frequently then the 25lb limit may not matter to you.
As with most environmentally sustainable products, there is a higher price tag but nothing outrageous.
Pros
- Eco-friendly materials
Cons
- More expensive
- Lower weight capacity
- Shorter fabric length (16.5ft)
5. Ergobaby Aura Baby Wrap
Ergobaby is better known for its soft structured carriers than its wraps. But they do have a range of colors and patterns that are worthy of inclusion.
We loved the Aura model. The subtle colors and striped pattern we thought added something different compared to some of the stronger prints we have looked at so far.
You get the added bonus of a guided edge on the stretchy fabric which makes it that little bit easier for new baby wearers to tie off the wrap.
The material is Viscoseand is made from eucalyptus and acacia. This is a semi-synthetic material that is a silky and soft fabric to touch, but not as durable as cotton.
As a result, the Ergobaby has a slightly lower capacity than other wraps and maxes out at 25 lbs. Not a deal-breaker but certainly a disadvantage compared to the top carriers on our list.
There is a handy pouch that the wrap folds up into which makes it easy to tuck away in your hand bag with your other baby gear. When it is time to wear baby again you can whip it out in no time.
Pros
- User-friendly design
- Built-in carrying pouch
Cons
- Lower weight capacity
6. Sweetbee My Honey Wrap
The Sweetbee is a cheaper option that stands up well against the major brands and has some very nice patterns to choose from. We have gone with the silver color with a diamond-like pattern.
Made from a lightweight modal material, the Sweetbee Lightweight is only 0.7 lbs! Yet it can hold up to 30lbs which places it ahead of the Ergobaby at 30 lbs, but just below the Moby and the Boba.
The length is just short of 16 ft which is almost 2ft short of the Moby. So you get less wrap, but the difference in performance is minimal if you prefer the lighter fabric or you are on a budget.
The lighter fabric can make it a bit more comfortable for your baby in warmer weather.
Pros
- Best budget baby wrap
- Lightweight material
- Mid-range weight limit
- Great for warmer weather
Cons
- Shorter length (16ft)
7. Bambini & Me Wrap
We have also included the Bambini & Me wrap as another budget option that is a slightly longer length than the Sweetbee at 17ft.
The french stripes are less inspiring than the other wraps on our list, but if it fits in with your wardrobe and preferences then you may love it a bit more than we do.
Being a cotton blend the fabric weighs almost double that of the Sweetbee. But you would barely notice as the baby’s weight makes up most of the load anyway.
While you can pick this up cheaper you should compare the price to the Moby and Boba before you buy. If the price is similar then just buy one of the more established brands – unless there is a pattern you really want.
Pros
- Good budget option (only if you can get it for <$35)
- Capacity up to 30 pounds (same as the Sweetbee)
Cons
- The pattern is less… exciting (but still nice)
- Material is heavier
Why Choose A Baby Wrap?
There are so many benefits to using a baby wrap and we have summarized just some of them below:
- Extra head support can make it easier to use with newborns.
- Wraps with thicker fabric can also accommodate heavier babies.
- Adaptable with up to five standard positions you can tie.
- Soft material makes your baby comfortable.
- Soothing environment to help baby fall asleep.
- Handy as a breastfeeding cover.
- Machine washable for easy maintenance.
I kept going back to my baby carrier because my son would instantly relax and calm down no matter what state he was in. It never failed me! Every time he slipped in there he would go quiet, he would often breastfeed, and eventually fell asleep.
There will be times as a parent when things get too much and you would do almost anything to make your baby stop crying. For me, the wrap was an easy way out that was also a positive experience for me and always led to a happy baby.
Of course, there are some drawbacks as well and they really have to suit your personality and patience levels.
- You have to learn to tie it, and get good at it!
- Weight capacity (up to 35 pounds) is generally lower than a soft structured carrier (usually 45 lbs).
Standard Baby Wrap Carry Positions
Most baby wraps are used in the following positions:
- Hug hold (front carry)
- Hip carry
- Back carry
There are more, but unless you want to want to become a wrap master and need to customize your fit for unusual circumstances you probably don’t need to know them.
But it is good knowing that you can tie a wrap for a custom fit as needed. When wearing your baby you have ultimate control if you need extra support in certain areas no matter what carry positions you use.
How to Tie your Wrap
Yes, we promised you a video demonstration of how to tie your wrap. So bookmark this page and come back once you have your carrier and get practicing!
Comparing Baby Wraps to Other Baby Carriers
We are obsessed with all things babywearing here at Katherine Rosman, and have plenty more content around baby wraps so you can compare to other types of baby carriers.
Check out the below for more information:
- Baby slings vs wraps – we take you through what the difference between the two is and how to know which is right for you.
- Soft-structured baby carriers vs wraps – self-tying or out of the box convenience? Again we look at which is most suitable for your situation.
Alternatives to a Baby Wrap
If you are still on the fence as to whether a baby wrap is right for you, check out some of the alternative baby carrier designs in the posts below:
- Best soft structured carrier – The quickest, easiest, and most reliable baby carrier options.
- Best ring slings – Just in case you have decided that a wrap just isn’t for you but still want access to cool patterns.
A baby wrap may be less suitable if you need to back carry often, need a higher weight limit for use with an older baby, require better lumbar support, or need a zippered pocket in your baby carrier. Structured carriers may help you wear your baby for longer in these circumstances.
Final Word
From our list of the best baby wraps on the market with beautiful patterns, we loved the Vintage Mickey Moby Wrap. However, the brand has a long list of other colors and patterns to pick from if you want the performance and not the pattern.
The Boba wrap also has 18 different wrap carrier styles at last count so plenty of freedom to find something much brighter if that is more you, and still get the same great quality wrap.
The same could be said about most of the wraps mentioned in this article. The selection of patterns available goes well beyond the ones shown above with multiple designs offered by most brands.
But it takes more than a nice pattern to make a happy baby. Every wrap we have included will do a great job of providing a nurturing and supportive environment for your baby.
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