A helpful review of the MetroWrap, a popular wrap infant carrier, based on comfort, ergonomics, style, care, and price point.
New mothers have enough to juggle, so finding a way to cuddle and spend time with your baby while you get a few things done around and outside the house (with two free hands) can be challenging. With so many different brands of baby carriers available – and each coming with a hefty price tag – it's hard to know which one will work best for you.
MetroWrap™ Bling (Crown)
The hundred and thirty dollar price tag on the MetroWrap™ seems a bit unjustified for a twelve-foot long piece of fabric. No snaps. No buttons. No ties. Just a decaled rectangle of stretchy cotton fabric. So, from a cost perspective, this carrier is not exactly the most practical purchase.
The MetroWrap™ is basically an elasticized stretch of fabric which wraps to form a one-size-fits-all wearable baby carrier that can hold little ones from newborns up to toddlers weighing 38 pounds.
Style
Even though women all over the world carry their children in similar (much less expensive) ad hoc carriers everyday, it sounds quite scary to rely on a single cut of fabric – without any fasteners whatsoever – to securely support your child. Luckily, it comes with a handy instruction card (as well as a PDF video) demonstrating how to construct the carrier for various configurations (chest-facing cuddly newborn to front-facing infant or toddler). It can be worn over your own shirt or tank top, and is even available in fashionable colors and/or adorned in several "bling" styles with rhinestone embellishments - perfect for stylish moms!
Care and Cleaning
Very easy to care for, the wrap carrier can be washed and tumble dried along with your baby's laundry. It can also be quickly stashed in your diaper bag for easy transport.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The carrier is super comfortable and chic for mom and baby – even if it takes a bit of practice to master the wrap technique and securely insert your child!
The wrap is great for wearing around the house or anywhere you have enough time and space to properly put it together. Much like sling baby carriers, the MetroWrap™ doesn't rate well for carrying your child while walking brusquely, as the fabric doesn't provide nearly as much support as a Bjorn-style carrier.
Finally, as complicated as the MetroWrap™ seems to assemble, it's nearly impossible to put your child back into it once removing him/her, without totally unwrapping and rewrapping it for a secure fit. With a little shopping at a fabric store and a bit of edge-finishing, you could make your own MetroWrap™ -style wrap carrier – without a $129.99 bill.
Performance Rating Based on Author's Personal Review
- Comfort 4/5
- Ergonomics/Support 3/5
- Style 4/5
- Care 4/5
- Price $129.99 (1/5)
- Overall Ranking: 3/5
An Explanation of the Rating Scale
Product was rated by the author during daily use on her child between birth and six months of age, and also with occasional use on her 18 month old nephew. Criteria for the score are: comfort, ergonomics/support, style, care, and price, on a scale of one to five.
Comfort
1= Very uncomfortable, requires constant adjusting
5= You don't even know you're wearing it
Ergonomics/Support
1=Causes strain and pressure on back/shoulders/neck with use
5=Fully supports child and wearer's back/shoulders/neck with equal distribution of weight
Style
1=Not fashionable at all
5=Ideal for a fashion-conscious yummy mummy on the go!
Care
1=Needs dry cleaning or other special care and picks or pulls irreparably
5=Can be washed in with regular laundry and looks like new even after daily wear
Price
1=Equal to or more than $125
2=Less than $125
3=Less than $100
4=Less than $75
5=Less than $50
