ByKay Newborn baby wrap with muslin cotton

Brand: ByKay (Netherlands)
Tested item: newborn wrap MyKay Newborn “mouse gray“
Material: 100% muslin cotton
Density: ? g/m2
Colours: mid grey
Release: 2019
Age recommendation: from birth until 6-9 monhts

About the brand: I know ByKay for years now because I’ve worn my now 9 years old in a stretchy wrap from them when he was a baby. I loved that stretchy, not also because of it’s design, I just liked the comfort, too. I sold it once but bought another one, so… boomerang! Anyway, ByKay has a nice range of timeless and urban looking products now, the one I loved isn’t selling anymore…

Muslin – trendy material

Yep, muslin is trendy for 2-3 years now. We all know it from those baby blankets that earlier also have been used as insert for cloth diapers (yes, my mom did) and are still, today. In the last years, we’ve seen clothes made of muslin. Don’t ask yourself, what it is, if you don’t know. Muslin is just cotton in plain-weave. But a lighter and looser weave with fewer warp threads and inbetween an increased spacing. It’s origin seems to be in Bangladesh/India.

Now, people wonder, how that loose and delicate material that gets damaged so easily, could carry a baby. Several brands, like Schmusewolke, caught the trend and are now featuring muslin wraps, ring slings and also carriers. I couldn’t test another one but ByKay but heard that the Schmusewolke muslin wraps are soon damaged…

My first impression

With that in my head, I was really curious. When I got the MyKay Newborn wrap I’ve been pleased how soft it it. Beneath, it felt stronger than what I’m used to concerning the muslin fabric. The carré you’ll see in the pictures seems to be different than the usual plain one. Of course, the wrap is thin. But not as thin as Calin Bleu e.g. The material seems to be perfect for newborns and also for warmer days.

How does it wear

As a tester and with my 2 years old girl, I dared carrying her for some time using the muslin wrap. I do not recommend that to anyone else but other babywearing consultants. When the manufacturer says up to 9 months, you should not use it beyond. I did because I’ve been curious and wanted to see how comfortable it was. I have to admit it was quite comfy for quite a while. Sure, no comparison to a regular woven wrap but as a backup for your toddler when nothing else at hand – perfect. Thus said, I can totally recommend it for newborns.

I’ve been a bit afraid tightening it which means my result isn’t perfect as you can see in my pictures. But it’s really easy tightening it and I guess you don’t have to be anxious at all. Just watch your nails please (as with handwovens, too) and don’t grab as if you were pulling a rope. Men should be more careful I guess. Just keep in mind that the fabric isn’t too strong.

Conclusion

I can’t say anything negative about the ByKay muslin wrap but I also don’t want to speak a longterm recommendation because I just didn’t wash ist several times. My advice: don’t wash it too often and don’t use it beyond 9 months and I guess you’ll be quite happy. After carrying my 2 years old I didn’t see any flaws or shifts from her weight (must have been around 12kg) but I didn’t carry her for hours… As usual, I’m really open to your experiences with this wrap! There’s one I’ll be giving away this week and I want the winner to tell me his or her experiences after using it for a while! 🙂

My advice: buy this wrap for your newborn during summer. The airy material is perfect for warmer days, makes a small package for wherever you go (holidays) caughts your sweat and can be used as a blanket for your sleeping baby.

Tested with my 2 years old in spring 2019. Thanks to the sponsor!