“From womb to wrap” is a common refrain around here, but the truth is that the Solly Wrap can be used well beyond the newborn days—often throughout the first year and beyond!
If you’re worried baby is getting too old or heavy for your wrap, but aren’t quite ready to give up your Solly snuggles, keep reading for tips to keep them wrapped comfortably until college (or until 25 pounds, whichever comes first).
Solly Wrap Safety Guidelines
The Solly Wrap is safety-tested for babies from 8 to 25 pounds. With a well-adjusted wrap job, you and baby should continue to feel comfortably supported as long as you follow proper wearing guidelines and baby is within listed weight guidelines.
So what should you do if baby starts to feel like they’re sagging? The best way to get specific recommendations for you and your babe is to send me a photo of you and baby wrapped at advice@sollybaby.com. If you're looking for a fix in the meantime, here are some adjustments to consider.
Tips for Adjusting Your Wrap With an Older Baby
While you will be wrapping baby with the same technique you have always wrapped them, there are four key adjustments you don’t want to miss:
1. Equal snugness. Don’t forget to snug up each side of your wrap before creating your ‘X’ on front and bringing the long ends to wrap and tie around your waist. Just because baby is older and bigger does not mean you need to tie things more loosely. A snug wrap will keep baby well-supported and up where you want them to be.
2. Deep seat. Supporting baby from knee to knee is important from day one, but it continues to be just as crucial as baby grows. Centering baby in each cross strap will support baby’s growing legs, hips and spine, and prevent them from slipping in any direction.
3. Upper body support. Don’t forget to cover baby’s upper back and shoulders as well. As baby nears the ability to sit unassisted, around 5 or 6 months, you can bring one or both arms out so baby has a bit more range of motion. Have a hand ready for this to become an assisted carry should baby get wiggly. If they fall asleep with their arms out, you’ll want to tuck them back into the wrap for full support.
4. Spread shoulder straps. If you’re noticing baby’s weight more in your shoulders (especially after wearing them for an extended period), go ahead and spread the fabric around your shoulders wide. This will help distribute the weight over a wider area and bring your shoulders some relief.
Want to see the wrap with an older baby in action?
Head to our tutorials page here. Scroll to the bottom and find the “Is my baby too old for the wrap?” video to see what an older/bigger baby looks like in it.
Here's another video of one of my littles when he was 18 months old and 22 pounds for visual reference of another older baby in the wrap. I begin discussing how to place baby in, as well as a creating a “deep seat,” at the 13:40 minute mark. Getting those cross straps really well spread will be key. My baby is fussy (sorry for the sad cries!), but if you continue to watch, you’ll see the Solly sleepy dust was still strong.
Cover photo courtesy of @aysia.lanae.
