Amawrap Sling review

After experimenting with different textiles, Amawrap created their own fabric, which has the right amount of stretch to support babies and to allow them to be closer to the person carrying them. The sling comes in a choice of gorgeous colours, including some stylish patterned fabrics, and the price ranges from £39.99-£49.99.

Manufactured in the UK, Amawrap slings are now used in UK hospitals to help premature babies receive ‘kangaroo care’.

Tested by:

Zoe lives in South West London and tested the Amawrap carrier with her 3-week-old daughter, Matilda, around the house.

First impressions of the Amawrap carrier:

I was a bit nervous about baby carriers, as I’d never used the one we have at home, and have always taken Matilda out in her pram instead. So at first I felt daunted about putting the sling on.

What age child is the Amawrap carrier suitable for?

Matilda currently weighs 3.8kg, and the Amawrap has been tested on babies weighing from 3.5kg to 15kg – so it’s suitable for sturdier newborns. But as Matilda weighed less than 3.5kg at birth, I’m not sure I would have used it immediately.

How many different ways can you carry your baby using the Amawrap?

You can choose from 3 different ways. The ‘basic carry’ was the easiest for me to try as Matilda is only 3 weeks old, but there’s also the ‘cradle carry’ (which Matilda did not like at all), and the ‘hip carry’, which allows your baby to look out as they’re being carried – not something a newborn is particularly interested in…

When using the basic carry, you can pull the fabric over the back of your baby’s head for extra support – although as Matilda really hates having anything on her head, she screamed the place down when we tried that.

Does the carrier support your baby’s hips and allow them to sit in the ‘M’ position?

Yes, the crossing over of the fabric as you wear it creates a seat, which ensures your baby’s hips are supported and allows their legs to rest in the ‘M’ position against you. The Amawrap also complies with the TICKS guidelines.

How easy is the carrier to put on and take off?

Very easy. After my initial doubts, with the help of a YouTube video, I mastered it on my second attempt!

It was simple to put on by myself, although I did need some assistance with manoeuvring Matilda into it. This could have been because she’s super-wriggly and strong, and as I was using a sling for the first time, I wasn’t very confident about putting her in it. I found the Amawrap hard to take off, but with a little practice it became easier.

The tricky part was getting Matilda out of it, as she was so snug against me – once she was out and put down safely, it was easy to untie the sling.

What is the Amawrap sizing like?

One size fits all! There’s plenty of fabric to wrap around your body. I ended up with a lot of excess fabric at the back once it was tied in place, but you can just loop this around the front and tie it in a knot there.

Is the Amawrap carrier comfy for your baby?

My daughter hates being confined, and screamed at first, but after a brisk, bouncy walk around the house, she calmed down and fell asleep.

She was comfy nestled against me, and I felt that she was secure enough for me to do household tasks whilst wearing the sling. As she hates having her head covered, I’ll wait until she can support it better before taking her out in the sling – but once she’s at that stage I’d happily do so.

Can you breastfeed whilst wearing the carrier?

Yes, and the wide shoulder straps and head cover make it simple to do so discreetly. This was a definite advantage, as Matilda is still feeding pretty much every other hour, so having easy access was super-helpful.

How does the Amawrap compare to other carriers or wraps you’ve used?

It’s definitely easier to store than our BabyBjorn carrier. You can roll it up when not in use, which means it’s easy to transport, fitting in the bottom of the pram or in our changing bag easily.

However, Matilda seems to prefer being in the BabyBjorn carrier, as she has the space to stretch out and wave her arms and legs around.

What did you like best about the design?

I was impressed by the strength of the fabric and how well it supported Matilda. I also loved how soft it was – I didn’t have to worry about any straps, Velcro or anything else rubbing against her.

The cool, khaki colour was fab, too – it’s a neutral shade that goes with everything and complemented Matilda’s patterned babygrows perfectly. You can get different colours and patterns, like the gorgeous Posy Rosy print (£44.99 on Amazon).

Does the Amawrap carrier feel durable and is it easy to clean?

Yes, the fabric feels high-quality and you can just bung it in the washing machine at 40 degrees – you just need to reshape it while it’s damp. You can also iron it, if you’re so inclined!

What’s in the box?

The Amawrap comes with a really useful instruction manual, which includes washing guidelines as well as step-by-step guides to each carrying style. It also has further info about the sling and your baby’s safety while they’re in it.

Who would the Amawrap carrier be most useful for?

It would suit newborns who don’t like to be put down – Matilda is an oddity in that she loves to be naked and likes having the space to spread out.

The Amawrap would also be good for slightly older babies who want to be close to the person carrying them whilst having the freedom to move their heads and look around.

Is the Amawrap sling value for money?

Considering you can use it until your child is 15kg, I’d say it’s good value for money. If you buy directly from Amawrap, you can also snap up wrapping paper and gift cards.

Where can I buy it?

It is available from Amawrap and Amazon.

MadeForMums verdict:

Overall, I really liked the idea of this product, and although it’s not something that worked particularly well for Matilda at this moment in time, in a month or two it might suit her better.

I’d definitely recommend this product to those who have babies who don’t like to be put down, or who want a more flexible and comfortable way to carry their child without the rigidity of some of the carriers on the market.

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