How To Break In a Woven Wrap

There are many, many ways to break in a woven wrap and every time you ask the question in a large babywearing group you are going to get 100 different answers.  It does seem that the general consensus is that the absolute BEST was to break in a woven wrap is to use it.  The more you use it, the faster it will break in.

But what if you don't have that kind of patience?  What if it is just too darn stiff and you wanted it to soften up RIGHT NOW?  Well there are many things you can do to speed up the breaking in process.

Wash it.  Be sure to follow care instructions for the fiber content of your wrap, but if its safe to do so, wash it and tumble dry on low.

Dryer Balls.  Add a bunch of bouncing wool balls to the drying portion of above or throw the wrap in dry and toss in a damp towel.  The more dryer balls the better they work.

Braid It.  Ok, so its not what you usually think of as a braid with 3 seperate peices.  It is more like what is often reffered to as a daisy chain.  Learn how to do it here.

 

New to braiding?  Check out this you tube vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuXlCdLiTpU

 

 

Donut.  Like the braid, the donut uses friction of the wrap against itself as well as the pulling and tugging and manipulating of the wrap to break it in.















Never made a wrap donut?  Never fear, you can get help here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHpu0JnezDY


Sit on it.  Just fold it up and sit on it.  Or sit on it braided.  Or sit on it as a donut.  If folded, unfold and refold often. 

Sleep with it.  For reals. 

Knot Pulling. Also called knot dragging.  See how here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs2IYwzoQfY

Let the baby play with it.  They know it's important to you so they will want to drag it around and play with it if you let them. Or sleep on it or roll around in it or use it as a blanket.

Hammock.  Always fun, you can make a hammock or swing out of your wrap for your little one to lay in.

Run it through crib rails.  Or chair slats.  Run it back and forth through multiple if you can.  Make sure they are smooth and unlikely to snag your wrap.

Iron it.  As long as it is ok for your fiber content, ironing will help break in your wrap and have the added bonus of making it look pretty.

 

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to E, a bundle of energy. She is a Babywearing Institue Scholar working towards her certification.  She is also addicted to cloth diapers and makes and sells wool dryer balls as SomerKnits. Occasionally she also carves out some time to knit, spin or weave - her main pre-baby passions.