Parenting

Babywearing Shirts For Endless Snuggles And Skin-To-Skin Time

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babywearing shirts
Amazon/Seraphine

Babywearing shirts are exactly what newborn babies need to help them adjust to the big, weird world they were born into. Your newborn was safe and warm inside your womb for nine months, then all of a sudden they were literally pushed into an existence they weren’t expecting. It makes sense that they want to be near you at all times. (And vice versa.) Designed to keep your baby safe, cozy, and conveniently close for breastfeeding, babywearing shirts have a kangaroo-like pouch that holds the baby (similar to a ring sling, a type of baby carrier, but it’s also a shirt! We love a multi-purpose product) allowing for all the snuggles and skin-to-skin time, which can stimulate oxytocin and boost milk supply.

According to Julie Arvan, a postpartum doula and founder of the newborn carrier company Nesting Days, babywearing shirts can make this new adventure (a.k.a. parenthood) easier and much less scary for both baby and parents.

“There’s a reason newborns cry when you put them down: nature has equipped them to survive, and that means 24/7 care and attention in the ‘fourth trimester’ of their lives. That’s why newborns who are worn more cry less,” Arvan explains. “Skin-to-skin contact boosts oxytocin levels and this love hormone helps fight off the fear. Mom and Dad grow more confident and less scared too. Learning baby’s cues ‘by heart’ makes the whole adventure just a little easier. ”

What is a babywearing shirt?

Like we said, a babywearing shirt is literally a shirt that holds babies. It’s great for initial skin-to-skin contact for moms and dads (especially dads who don’t want to take their shirt off in the hospital), but can be worn on a daily basis as well. Not to be confused with a hands-free baby carrier that straps on or is wrapped over your clothes, babywearing shirts are actual shirts that come in different sizes. So, if you and your partner wear different sizes, there won’t be any babywearingsharing going on. Yup, that’s a word we just created, and you are welcome to use it any time you want.

Types of babywearing shirts

According to Arvan, there are two types of babywearing shirts: ones meant for lounging and ones that are designed for mobility. Shirts that are meant for sitting and lounging with your baby on your chest are non-weight bearing. Arvan says that these types of shirts are required to clearly state ‘This is a garment, not a baby carrier or sling. Always keep hold of baby while standing or moving around.’

“Shirts that are designed for moving allow the wearer to sit, stand, or walk around with the baby hands-free are weight-bearing, and function as a shirt and a carrier,” Arvan adds. “The maximum weight, depending on the brand, is designed for newborns up to 15-18 pounds which is typically about 4 months old. Most manufacturers include the caveat ‘Always keeping one hand on the baby when mobile, for extra safety’ as an extra precaution.”

Make sure to read the product description carefully before buying or using the product so you know exactly what you’re getting!

What is the best babywearing shirt?

The best babywearing shirts have super soft and comfortable fabric, allows skin-to-skin contact, and some even permit hands-free mobility for the parent (although keeping a hand on your little one is always the safest bet).

“Being able to move about freely with the baby safely on your chest, and to be hands-free, requires investing in a weight-bearing babywearing shirt. They cost a little more, but the ability to use both hands while babywearing is priceless: you can do household activities like laundry, work from home, tend to toddlers or older siblings, and more which makes it money well spent,” says Arvan.

Some babywearing shirts also allow breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle feeding without removal. Others have feet-in and feet-out options. There are TONS of options out there for parents (moms and dads alike) when it comes to babywearing shirts. Below you’ll find our favorites that are comfortable, stylish (as far as babywearing shirts go, we can only work with so much here), and will help you and your new little person bond.

Please note that most babywearing shirts do not meet carrier standards for hands-free carrying.

Best Babywearing Shirts

NuRoo Pocket Babywearing Shirt

This shirt is ideal for preterm and small babies. It’s soft, breathable, moisture wicking, offers full coverage, and is tight enough to securely hold your baby. In fact, it’s the only babywearing shirt that meets sling/carrier standards for hands-free portability. But once the baby reaches around 8 pounds, you’ll need a hand for support. The shirt comes in X-small/small, large/X-large, and 2X-large. One reviewer wrote, “As the ‘other mother’ for our child my wife carried, wearing our baby is an important part of bonding but it’s not as cool to have me in the hospital room shirtless like my wife! This shirt was perfect for that immediate post-birth skin to skin without exposing my whole chest to hospital staff.”

$59.99
Nesting Days Women's Carrier

We love this shirt because it can be worn by itself as a tank top, or you can wear a T-shirt or long-sleeve under it. It feels like you’re wearing a baby wrap, but it’s much easier to put on and is better at staying in place. The shirt can be worn feet in for younger babies or feet out as your baby gets bigger. It’s available in several colors in sizes X-small to XX-large.

$105
Moby Wrap Bump & Beyond T-Shirt Wrap

You can wear this wrap after the baby is born and while you’re pregnant, which is ideal, considering the newborn stage lasts for what feels like five minutes. (It doesn’t feel so quick when you’re in it — we feel you, new mamas.) The shirt is available in sizes X-small to large. One reviewer wrote, “This wrap helps to support your belly and your back while you are pregnant. Once your little one arrives, it allows you to have that skin to skin contact! I love that I can nurse my little one while wearing this wrap. It is super convenient and saves so much time and hassle!”

$49.99
Seraphine 3-in-1 Maternity Hoodie

This cozy fleece hoodie is perfect for cold temperatures. It’s super warm and cozy, but it’s important to note that it doesn’t offer any skin-on-skin contact. It does, however, offer a convenient little pouch for your baby as you both stay bundled up. The pouch is big enough to continue using as your newborn grows. Plus, it can be hidden, so you can wear the jacket with or without baby. One reviewer wrote, “Absolutely love this hoody! The materials are so soft and comfortable, I love the shade of blue it comes in, it’s quite light in weight but feels warm and snug to wear, has a lovely big wide hood and to top it all off, thumbholes! It’s a dream and I’ve not wanted to take it off since getting it!”

$89
Seraphine Grey Marl Cotton Skin-to-Skin Top

The soft stretch of this babywearing shirt is gentle on baby’s skin and is perfect for postpartum recovery. It allows for hands-free lounging when you’re sitting or reclining, but when walking around, you’ll need to hold on with one hand to your baby. The shirt is available in sizes X-small to X-large, and it comes in four colors: blue, grey, black, and pink.

$59
Seraphine Skin-to-Skin Long Sleeve Top

A long sleeve version of the Seraphine tank top above. It offers the same soft fabric and comfort for both Mama and Baby. A wrap tie in the front lets you choose how tight or loose you want the shirt to be. It’s available in blue, black, and grey, and it comes in sizes X-small to X-large.

$69

Skin-to-Skin Shirts for Dads

The best babywearing shirts for dads are ones that are comfortable for baby and father. Check out our top picks below.

DadWare Bondaroo Skin-to-Skin T-Shirt

This babywearing T-shirt isn’t designed to be a carrier, but rather a way for dads to bond with their newborns on their chest. The shirt is pretty long so it doesn’t ride up when baby’s on board. It’s available in sizes small to XX-large. One dad wrote, “I love this shirt. It’s so comfortable. Feels like an extra soft T-shirt. And I get to have skin to skin time with my son without trying to fit into hospital robes that are too small and awkward.”

$44.99
Nesting Days Men's Carrier

This dads’ babywearing shirt/carrier is pretty cool. It can hold up to 18 pounds,  is made with comfy compression-stretch fabric, and is easily adjustable. One fellow mama reviewed the shirt and said, “This carrier was a game changer for my husband! Gave him more confidence and bonding time while I was able to focus on my other child and resting. Totally worth the price!”

$98

SHOP THE STORY

NuRoo Pocket Babywearing Shirt

This shirt is ideal for preterm and small babies. It’s soft, breathable, moisture wicking, offers full coverage, and is tight enough to securely hold your baby. In fact, it’s the only babywearing shirt that meets sling/carrier standards for hands-free portability. But once the baby reaches around 8 pounds, you’ll need a hand for support. The shirt comes in X-small/small, large/X-large, and 2X-large. One reviewer wrote, “As the ‘other mother’ for our child my wife carried, wearing our baby is an important part of bonding but it’s not as cool to have me in the hospital room shirtless like my wife! This shirt was perfect for that immediate post-birth skin to skin without exposing my whole chest to hospital staff.”

$59.99
Nesting Days Women's Carrier

We love this shirt because it can be worn by itself as a tank top, or you can wear a T-shirt or long-sleeve under it. It feels like you’re wearing a baby wrap, but it’s much easier to put on and is better at staying in place. The shirt can be worn feet in for younger babies or feet out as your baby gets bigger. It’s available in several colors in sizes X-small to XX-large.

$105
Moby Wrap Bump & Beyond T-Shirt Wrap

You can wear this wrap after the baby is born and while you’re pregnant, which is ideal, considering the newborn stage lasts for what feels like five minutes. (It doesn’t feel so quick when you’re in it — we feel you, new mamas.) The shirt is available in sizes X-small to large. One reviewer wrote, “This wrap helps to support your belly and your back while you are pregnant. Once your little one arrives, it allows you to have that skin to skin contact! I love that I can nurse my little one while wearing this wrap. It is super convenient and saves so much time and hassle!”

$49.99
Seraphine 3-in-1 Maternity Hoodie

This 3-in-1 Seraphine hoodie basically does it all. It has soft fleece on the inside, fingerless gloves to pull over your hands on the sleeves, and large pockets for stashing things. When you’re pregnant, this can be worn as a zip-up hoodie on its own (the stretchy material and oversized feel make this one a super comfortable option, even with the zipper). Once Baby is here, you can add the included front panel to make it fit comfortably over a baby sling or carrier s0 y0ur LO will be nestled safely underneath your sweatshirt, leaving your arms and hands free. And this versatile option can be worn even when you aren’t pregnant.

$89
Seraphine Grey Marl Cotton Skin-to-Skin Top

The soft stretch of this babywearing shirt is gentle on baby’s skin and is perfect for postpartum recovery. It allows for hands-free lounging when you’re sitting or reclining, but when walking around, you’ll need to hold on with one hand to your baby. The shirt is available in sizes X-small to X-large, and it comes in four colors: blue, grey, black, and pink.

$59
Seraphine Skin-to-Skin Long Sleeve Top

A long sleeve version of the Seraphine tank top above. It offers the same soft fabric and comfort for both Mama and Baby. A wrap tie in the front lets you choose how tight or loose you want the shirt to be. It’s available in blue, black, and grey, and it comes in sizes X-small to X-large.

$69
DadWare Bondaroo Skin-to-Skin T-Shirt

This babywearing T-shirt isn’t designed to be a carrier, but rather a way for dads to bond with their newborns on their chest. The shirt is pretty long so it doesn’t ride up when baby’s on board. It’s available in sizes small to XX-large. One dad wrote, “I love this shirt. It’s so comfortable. Feels like an extra soft T-shirt. And I get to have skin to skin time with my son without trying to fit into hospital robes that are too small and awkward.”

$44.99
Nesting Days Men's Carrier

This dads’ babywearing shirt/carrier is pretty cool. It can hold up to 18 pounds,  is made with comfy compression-stretch fabric, and is easily adjustable. One fellow mama reviewed the shirt and said, “This carrier was a game changer for my husband! Gave him more confidence and bonding time while I was able to focus on my other child and resting. Totally worth the price!”

$98

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