How To Break In A Woven Wrap

Breaking-in a woven wrap sounds like secret #babywearing magic but its not. We all break-in fabric every day: clothing, soft furnishings ... even humble tea towels!

Breaking-in is the gradual process of fabric losing the natural stiffness resulting from manufacturing processes and becoming softer and more flexible. You know, like your favourite pair of jeans or soft, worn sheets.

Actively "breaking-in" is doing things to your brand new woven wrap, ring sling, meh dai or even a soft-structured carrier made from a woven wrap fabric to speed up this natural process.

One advantage of buying a pre-loved carrier is often this has been done for you but when you buy new, the first step is to wash the carrier according to manufacturer's instructions. Ideally, do this before you even try the carrier on, as most woven wraps and other carriers made from their fabrics, arrive in "loom state". This is exactly as it sounds, and the washing process is the final step in setting the fabric into its weave and removing any chemicals used in finishing.

Once washed, dried and tested with your baby to your heart's content, you can look at these techniques to continue breaking it in. The easiest way to do so is use your carrier lots, even though it might feel a bit stiff or "crunchy "! The movement of the fibres against each other and the clothes of you and your baby, plus the warmth of your bodies, is exactly what is needed. But when you aren't using it, these tips will keep the process happening.

Before you know it, you won't see any hard creases in the fabric and it will slide smoothly, soft and buttery against your bodies. 💜