Pros
• Soft, stretchy, breathable material
• Cozy
• Can nurse in it

Cons
• Baby must face inward
• Tons of fabric to work with

Bottomline
The Boba Wrap is a comfortable, stylish wrap for babywearing enthusiasts.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Ready to register? Shop our catalog for the Boba Wrap Baby Carrier.

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Features

Being new to the baby wrap concept, I had low expectations. I used a carrier with my first child and got used to a very structured, straitjacket-like contraption outfitted with straps and buckles. How could one stretchy piece of fabric safely support my baby? When I pulled the wrap out of the box, I was overwhelmed by just how much fabric there was—16 feet to be exact! But it’s the way you tie this pile of soft, stretchy cloth to your body that transforms what looks seemingly like scrap material into a baby carrier.

Initially, I found it extremely intimidating to put the wrap around me and my 2-month-old, but after reading the comprehensive instruction booklet and watching the below video from Boba's website, I was actually able to easily and securely tie the wrap. I then threaded my daughter’s legs through the crisscrossed fabric, pulled up the outside shell and—abracadabra—she was in! And quite content, I might add.

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You can tie the wrap in two different ways: the Newborn Hold is suitable for babies 2 to 10 pounds, while the Love Your Baby Hold is for babies and toddlers 8 to 35 lbs. The Boba Wrap has gotten tons of praise for being the perfect carrier for preemies thanks to the cozy, formfitting environment it creates. When I got the wrap my daughter was 2 months old and weighed 12 pounds, so I used the Love Your Baby Hold, which is exactly how I felt using the wrap given its snuggly nature.

A huge plus for this wrap compared with more structured carriers is the option to allow baby’s legs and arms to dangle comfortably or remain fully covered. All you need to do is pull up the outside cover, tuck in baby’s arms and legs (not too tightly), throw a hat on, and baby is fully protected from the sun. This is a bonus, particularly for younger babies, since you’re not supposed to apply sunscreen during baby’s first six months.

One potential negative is that unlike other carriers and wraps, the Boba requires you to carry your child facing in. My husband and I had already been toting our daughter around in a carrier that allowed her to face out. I had serious doubts that she would like being forced to turn in, squished against my body. But boy, was I wrong. She was so happy in this new snuggly environment that one time she stayed put for over two hours and even dozed off for a nap. Side note: Other similar wraps do offer multiple positions for babywearing, so if baby believes variety is the spice of life, those might be a better choice for you over the Boba. But in my case, my daughter has been perfectly content facing in.

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Performance

The Boba Wrap is a great option for babywearing for baby’s first two months. But despite being advertised for use up to 35 pounds, there’s no way I would ever be able to carry my 30-pound toddler in this wrap. Getting her into the wrap isn’t a problem, but actually walking around with her in it for more than two minutes is a painful, back-aching ordeal. I’m 5 feet, 2 inches with a petite frame, so my size probably has something to do with that. Other moms might be able to carry a heavier child for a longer period of time with less discomfort. For me, and I think most moms, a more realistic expectation would be around the 20- to 25-pound mark. And honestly, if your child weighs 35+ pounds, there are a lot of other, more practical child transportation options available that won’t send you to the chiropractor—like a stroller.

Since it’s easy to wash, the Boba Wrap holds up really well over time. If any dirt—or more likely, spit-up, throw up or diaper blowout—gets on the fabric, just spritz on some stain treatment and toss it in the washing machine. Also, if the wrap gets stretched out over time, which it undoubtedly will with use, simply throw it in the dryer and it will shrink right back up to a more manageable length.

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I did appreciate being able to nurse discreetly in the Boba— not something I would consider doing with the Baby Bjorn. which is very tight to the body and keeps baby in an upright position. The wrap was more easily manipulated making nursing more practical once you get the hang of it. It takes practice as well as a carefully chosen wardrobe. You’ll need to wear a nursing top that you can easily pull down while baby is in the wrap. On the plus side, you don’t have to untie the wrap to nurse—just widen the shoulder piece and lower the baby to a comfortable nursing position. For babies with gastrointestinal issues, staying upright while nursing can help avoid the dreaded reflux. This whole process takes some practice, and while Boba advertises the ability to walk and nurse at the same time, I have yet to master that technique. And during the warm summer months, I found that nursing in the carrier made both me and baby very hot and sticky, and was generally an unpleasant way to feed.

While the Boba Wrap is a cozy way to wear baby, I found there’s a problem with the lack of structure: It doesn’t fully support your child if you need to lean forward, so you have to rest a hand on baby’s back, which obviously limits the type of hands-free activity you can manage while wearing the wrap. But overall, despite this limitation, I still love it. (Ed Note: If you find this to be a problem, you may not have it tied tight enough, and Boba has some helpful tips here to prevent this sagging.)

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Design

The wrap is very long, so it can end up dragging on the floor at times. Unless you’re 8 feet tall, keeping the 5-plus yards of fabric that make up this wrap from becoming a floor duster can be tricky. Your best bet is tying it on before leaving the house and then putting baby in when you get to your destination.

I have the wrap in gray, which is a nice, neutral color option for minimalist moms who prefer more muted tones. For those who like color, there are eight other solids to choose from, including vibrant turquoise, purple, navy blue and charcoal gray. The Boba Wrap also comes in a neutral print (Stardust), in case solids aren’t your thing.

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Summary

Whether you’re new to babywearing or a seasoned pro, the Boba Wrap gives a lot of bang for your buck. The wrap is a much cozier alternative to more structured carriers, while providing a flexible, stylish and comfortable environment for baby. Despite its flaws, I have yet to revert back to my other carrier since receiving this wrap, and if my daughter has any say in it, I won’t be going back anytime soon.

Jessica Ferlauto is a mother of two young girls and a high school teacher in New Jersey. Her favorite activities include cooking, baking, reading, skiing and taking trips to the beach.

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