Ask Morgan: Help! What If Baby Doesn’t Like the Wrap?

So, you have your Solly Wrap and you’ve tried it out, but no matter what you do it seems like baby just doesn’t like it. Help! What can you do? First, don’t stress. All babies are different and some take longer to adjust to being in the wrap than others. We truly believe that our wrap is something that every baby and caretaker will love, and if one of you isn’t enjoying the experience, it’s likely that you just need to make a small adjustment or two. Here are some of our best troubleshooting tips if baby doesn’t seem to enjoy the wrap:

Tip 01: Start early
When it comes to wearing baby, we recommend going from “womb to wrap” (with the exception of babies under 8 pounds without approval from your healthcare provider). The adjustment from womb to world can be a lot for both mama and babe. Babywearing recreates that warm, snug feeling of being in the womb, easing the transition for baby (and the wearer!) by stimulating the release of oxytocin—a hormone known to reduce stress and promote bonding.

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Tip 02: Begin with a calm baby
We often talk about the benefits of using the wrap for babies experiencing colic, gas, or general fussiness (have you seen that babywearing can decrease infant crying by up to 43%?). But when you’re first starting out, it can help to use the wrap when baby is calm, well-fed, and changed. If weather permits, wearing baby outside in the fresh air can often provide the perfect amount of distraction and relaxation. Patting, bouncing, and shushing as you place baby in the wrap can also be helpful. Start with shorter stints of wearing as needed, then work your way up.

Tip 03: Check for TICKS
We always recommend starting with a basic safety and fit-check using the acronym TICKS. It stands for:

Tight,
In view at all times,
Close enough to kiss,
Keep chin off chest, and
Supported back

Click here for a more detailed overview of how to check for TICKS.

Tip 04: Try these common adjustments
If baby still seems uncomfortable after you check for TICKS, there are a couple common adjustments we recommend making.

• Keep baby high and tight. When you tie on your wrap, you want to make sure that it is equally snug without any “sneaky slack.” By that, we mean that once that your wrap is on, you should be able to close your eyes and feel the wrap touching each part of your body; midsection, shoulders, and waist. Nothing should feel tight or cinched, nor should anything feel loose or floppy.
• Ensure baby has a deep seat. For the most ideal ergonomic positioning, baby’s bum should sit below the height of their knees while wrapped, creating an “M” shape. Check to make sure that baby’s bum is also sitting in the center of each cross strap (as if they're little hammocks), so that baby feels supported and secure.