Review: Boba Stretchy Wrap

The first carrier I ever owned was a stretchy wrap. It was given to me after Ziggy was born.

I hated it.

I wore it correctly once, when a mate tied it on for me. But when she went back to her home, four hours away, I tried and failed epically to do what she had done, tied myself in knots and threw the damn thing into the corner of the room.

This is my first stretchy wrap attempt, when Ziggy was a week old. I had no clue what I was doing. This is a Moby, it’s only got 1-way stretch.

When I finally found my local babywearing group, Ziggy was big enough for other carrier styles, and the stretchy wrap was stuck in my mind as a ‘bloody stupid who on earth would suggest that to a mum’, carrier option.

Then, while pregnant with Jagger, I was sent a Boba stretchy wrap, and I learnt how to use it, properly.

Holy shit! It was so EASY! It was easy and it was comfortable and Jagger loved it – and where had this been with Ziggy dammit?! I was in love. I wanted to shout from the rooftops how bloody awesome stretchy wraps were.

Especially the Boba stretchy.

This is my second time round, with Jagger, only a few weeks old. What a difference aye!
Boba Stretchy Wrap.

It’s a deceptively simple carrier the stretchy wrap. As the same suggests, it’s a long (around about 5 meters) stretchy length of fabric that you wrap around yourself and pop a baby into. There are a heap of different brands out there, and I used to think they were all the same. I mean, how much variation can you get with something that has pretty much the same length and design across the board aye?

Turns out, quite a bit.

The key to a good stretchy wrap, is how stretchy it is. And, not all stretchy wraps are equally stretchy. Now, I won’t got too far into the finer details, but a stretchy wrap can stretch two ways – you can pull the top and bottom edges of the wrap and stretch it across the width, (this is 1-way stretch), and, with some you can pull each end of the wrap and have it stretch lengthwise as well (if it does both it is a 2-way stretchy). A 2-way stretch ladies and gentlemen is the mark of a good stretchy wrap!

Why? Because it’s easier to use, stays tight, is more comfortable, and won’t droop or sag. Many cotton wraps don’t stretch longways so they have no give around your body to get your baby in (so you have to have the tightness ‘perfect’ or it won;t be comfortable, and they loosen as you wear them. But 2-way stretch It makes it easier to get your baby secure and comfortable, even if you tie it a bit ‘too tight’ it has enough stretch that you can easily get your baby in, and that makes a huge difference to how easy it is to use. Trust me.

Ta da! That awesome feeling when you nail a carrier!
Boba stretchy Wrap.

One of the common complaints against a stretchy wrap is ‘it’s so hot’ which is a valid point, as 3 layers of fabric cover your baby, but the Boba design is thinner than most brands, and I found it to be one of the lightest stretchy wraps I had. I had the standard version, which is a mix of cotton and elastane. There is also a bamboo version, which is lighter and silkier again.

Stretchy wraps are the only carrier that says ‘from birth’ that actually is ‘from birth’. Other styles of carrier don’t really work on a day old baby, but stretchy wraps do. Most parents I know are happy using them for the first four to six months (although you can use them longer!) before upgrading to a carrier that will allow for a back carry and last further into toddlerhood. Because they are just a simple length of soft stretchy fabric, they feel nicer, on both a tiny baby, and a sore body than buckles. As an added bonus, you can pre-tie them before you jump in the car, then pop baby in when you reach your destination. No faffing about in the carpark!

The other cool thing about the Boba stretchy is it comes in pretty patterns and colours. No boring ‘black and grey only’. Boba offers green and blue and purple and orange and stars and feathers and flowers. There’s something for everyone.

“This is a game-changer. I cannot describe how much it’s helped get me through the last 9 weeks!!”

I loved my Boba stretchy wrap so much that of the five different stretchy wraps I owned, it was the one I used the most. I loved it so much that once Jagger was in the next carrier, I sent it travelling to Greymouth, to a mum who was struggling to leave the house with her Paua baby. She loved it so much she bought one for herself, her friend bought one too and I have it on good authority that half of the newborn babies in Greymouth are now wrapped in Boba stretchy wraps.

“It’s been honestly the best thing ever! I love it.”

When it came back to me, another friend with a newborn got in touch. She was struggling with the wrap she had, (a brand we shall not name, but let’s just say it was a popular cotton 1-way stretch) and she said to me ‘Em, it’s shit, help’. I went to visit here and cracked up laughing when she greeted me at the gate, droopy saggy wrap almost falling off her body – she reminded me of the me in that first photo! I handed her the Boba, gave her a quick demo and . . . Boom. Nailed it.

So, if you are pregnant, or looking for the perfect babyshower gift, you need one of these! Here’s a demo on how they work, and I’ve got you sussed with 20% off!

Keep them close (and smell then all the time) in a Boba Stretchy Wrap.