Navigating the woven wrap world, part 2

Used under the Creative Commons license through Flickr. Photography by CityofStPete

(This post is the second in a series about choosing and using a woven wrap. See Part 1 here).

Once you’ve determined that you want to use a woven wrap and you start to learn about the different brands available that might be good options for you, you will need to know where and how to get one. The options for buying a wrap come down to: new, secondhand, and DIY. Today, we’ll talk about buying a new wrap. 

There are some advantages to buying a new wrap. One is that you know it will be in new condition - no stains, tears, pet hair, fragrances, or any other surprises. Another important benefit (to both you and the economy)  is that by buying you are supporting the small business that sells these wraps. While you can find a few brands of wraps on major online retailers like Amazon, most new wraps are available from online or brick and mortar specialty stores. Small businesses like these are an important part of the babywearing world. Often, these small business owners are quite educated about the wraps they sell, and will be happy to answer your questions about their products. The customer service is excellent!

Here is a small sampling of the growing number of stores that offer several brands of wraps (and other carriers, too) and are known for excellent customer care:

• Marsupial Mamas
• Purple Elm Baby
• Birdie’s Room (Canada)
• Risaroo
• Sprout Soup
• Granola Babies
• Cozy Kangaroo (local to me!)
• Amber Sky (also local-ish to me)
• 5 Minute Recess

Many of these stores run regular sales and/or have a discount for signing up for their newsletter. If you are not in a rush, consider following their Facebook pages and waiting for a sale. It is important to note, however, that if you wait for a sale, you may find that the wrap you decided you want (and the size you need) is out of stock at that vendor. So, you may need to be flexible about which wrap you want if you are a bargain hunter!

You can also buy many of the wraps discussed in part 1 of this series direct from the manufacturer

Stay tuned for the next post, about where and how to buy secondhand!