Najell Wrap review

The Najell wrap is available at Najell.

How easy is it to put on the Najell wrap?

The Najell wrap is pre-tied, so putting the wrap on is almost as straightforward as putting on a t-shirt. It takes seconds to slip it over your head. Fellow reviewer Louise also found the wrap easy to put on: "You genuinely do just pop the wrap on like a t-shirt. I found it easier to lay it out in front of me initially to make sure I had the ties in the correct position. After you slip the wrap on it’s easy to slide baby into the cross section, pull the bottom panel up and tie the ties."

Once you have put the Najell wrap on, there's very little difference between the Najell wrap and a traditional 'stretchy' wrap. I would recommend this wrap to friends who are intimidated by the look of tying a traditional wrap – let's face it, whilst traditional wraps are brilliant, they can look like they require a bit of wizardry! Louise said, "I do not get on with traditional wraps. I find they are too fiddly and I don’t feel confident in their sturdiness. However I liked the idea of a soft wrap, so when I heard of the Najell pre-tied wrap it felt like the best of both worlds. I can just pull this wrap on and go."

The Najell wrap is available in various from sizes 'XS' to 'XL', I tried on a 'M' (for approx sizes 12/14) which felt true to size for me.

Is it easy to adjust the Najell wrap?

Whilst the wrap did fit well, I did feel like, compared to a traditional wrap, I couldn't adjust it as much as I'd like to — especially around the shoulder positioning. On a traditional wrap, to ensure a baby's airway is clear, you can do a 'shoulder' flip, folding the fabric out of the way. With the Najell wrap, there are some little ties to help bunch up the fabric.

Louise also found this a major drawback of the wrap: "Structured wraps give the option of readjusting if both parents are using the wrap, where as the Najell pre-tied wrap is purchased based on your sizing. So if you have different body shapes or sizes then you will have to purchase another size."

How secure and safe does the Najell wrap feel?

The wrap felt secure and supportive. The fabric spread beautifully from knee pit to knee pit, keeping my 4-week-old baby in the ergonomic M-position. Louise agreed, "I found the M position was easy to achieve in this wrap. The cross section naturally helps achieve this position."

I tested this wrap during various activities both inside and outside of the house and I felt like baby was secure at each point. I was able to be truly hands-free, which is a huge bonus as I have two other children.

The guidance for the wrap states that it can be used up until 1 year or 9kg. Whilst testing this wrap, my baby was between 4 and 5 weeks old, so I'm not sure how secure this wrap would feel at a later stage.

How comfortable is the Najell wrap for you and your baby?

One of the key points when it comes to any wrap or carrier, for me, is around the comfort level of my baby, so I was pleased my baby was so settled in the wrap. Wraps are so beneficial during the 'fourth trimester', when babies often just want to be held close. He was clearly comfortable and spent most of his time snoozing. Louise's baby also agreed, as she told us, "I felt my baby was in a comfortable position while using the carrier, this was clearly proven with how easily he would settle in it!"

I had my baby via c-section, and at this point in time I don't have the strongest core. However, I didn't notice any particular pressure on my shoulders or back. The back of the wrap is the same as the back of an ordinary t-shirt, so if felt like the weight of carrying my baby was fairly distributed.

Louise, however, did notice slight pressure when using the wrap whilst walking: "I did find after walking for a longer time that I began to feel some back and shoulder pain. I don’t think I would get a year out of this wrap."

Do you like the fabric of the Najell wrap?

The fabric is mostly cotton, with a small percentage of elastane too. It is soft enough to be comfortable and feels cosy. There are softer wraps on the market made from other materials, but this one isn't bad. The material has a good stretch to it, without being too relaxed, so it is very accommodating for popping a baby in and out of the wrap, whilst being supportive.

Louise was impressed by the fabric used, but wasn't convinced on its breathability: "The fabric is soft and feels high quality. There is also some good stretch to the material, however I’d ensure you get the correct sizing for you based on the measurements on Najell’s website. Although the fabric stretches it is of course still tight enough to ensure a safe fit for baby. I also do not find the fabric breathable which can be an issue on warmer days."

How well does the Najell wrap support newborns and older babies?

When walking, bending or sitting, my 4-week-old baby felt tight, secure and comfortable. The shoulder straps can also hold baby's head for additional support. At the same time as holding my baby securely, the wrap was flexible enough for my newborn to turn his head comfortably, meaning he could rest in his preferred position.

However, I found there was less adjustability with the Najell wrap compared to a traditional 'stretchy' wrap. The heavier a baby gets, the more the weight feels like it's 'bouncing' at the front. With a traditional wrap, you can tie the wrap tighter to help accommodate a heavier baby. As the Najell is less adjustable, I am not sure how supportive this would feel with a bigger baby — although I suspect a more structured carrier would be a better alternative as baby grows. Louise also had some concerns with the longevity of the wrap, "I do think as baby gets heavier that I will struggle with this wrap as it does start to cause back ache for me personally after a longer wear."

How practical is it for daily use?

Being hands-free thanks to the wrap, means it is so much easier to crack on with the tasks involved in day-to-day life. Our newborn is a typical fourth trimester 'velcro baby' – babywearing allows me to meet his needs whilst being able to do the usual chores involved with being a grown-up. I love baking bread, so being able to do that, whilst baby is secure on me, felt like a huge bonus. And, while I could breastfeed in this wrap, I did find feeding easier in other carriers, such as a ring sling.

A traditional 'stretchy' wrap is around 5m long, so you often need a little bit of space to work with — meaning it can sometimes be a little bit tricky to pop this on in the car. I tested this wrap when going to the supermarket, and found it so much easier, and convenient, just to slip on and off in the car.

Is the Najell wrap suitable for use in any weather?

We tested the Najell wrap during some of the hottest days this year. It wasn't something that I could sustain during the heat, and when the next hot day comes along, the Najell wouldn't be my first choice. However, for more moderate days, I wouldn't hesitate picking up the Najell wrap. Louise agrees, "I live in Scotland and experienced every weather type going during the testing period! On cooler days I loved this wrap. However, when the heatwave hit and temperatures were rising from 20 to 26/27 degrees, I could not use the wrap. It covers your full torso and is not a breathable material so not only would it be too warm for me, but it would not have been safe for baby to be in during this heat."

How easy is it to clean the Najell wrap?

The wrap is machine washable at 40°, although it cannot be tumble dried. I have multiple wraps and carriers so didn't find that it was an issue, but if you're relying on just one carrier then the drying time might be an issue. I found that it wrap retained its shape well after drying.

Is the Najell wrap compact?

Yes! I love how small this wrap can be folded, and that it comes with a little storage bag. Babies come with a huge heap of paraphernalia, so anything that makes life easier without taking up copious amounts of space is a win. I love that, if the wrap is still working for us when baby gets bigger, it's small enough for me to be able to store in my work bag without any issue, ready for doing the school and nursery run!

We have a couple of trips coming up where car space will be very limited, so having a wrap that folds small is a huge benefit and means we can take it with us without there being any issue. It's definitely the type of thing we would want in our arsenal on a family trip.

How sustainable is the Najell wrap?

As a company, Najell state they are committed to sustainability and responsibility. They have a focus on using environmentally friendly materials. With their SleepCarrier, they use recycled materials and bio-based materials. However, there is very little information about how sustainable the materials used in the wrap are.

Najell focus on 'quality over quantity' with an emphasis on products that are made to last, meaning they should last for more than just one child. I was pleased to see that the packaging the wrap arrived in was environmentally friendly, and could be recycled.

What's in the box?

• Najell wrap
• Small storage bag

Is the Najell wrap worth the money?

At £65, the price for this wrap feels on a par with other pre-tied carriers and wraps, and slightly more expensive than a traditional stretchy wrap, like the Izmi Essential Wrap, £39.99. It offers good value for the first few months of your baby's life, and it will be robust enough to use for subsequent children (or to sell on!). I would recommend it to other parents who need the convenience of being hands free and who may feel intimidated by the traditional 'stretchy' wraps.

Fellow reviewer Louise said, "Although it's a pricier wrap compared to similar options, I do feel that the overall look and ease of use of the Najell wrap gives it the upper hand. It does feel like a high quality product and I was more than happy with the product, as was my baby!

I do think when your baby gets heavier that you may benefit from a structured carrier which evenly distributes the weight. So I may only get 4-5 months of use, compared to the 1 year of use advertised by Najell. However, I think £65 is great value for this product."

Where can I buy the Najell wrap?

It's available from Najell.

MadeForMums verdict

If you are looking for an easy to use, convenient wrap for those early months, I would not hesitate to recommend this wrap. It is reasonable value for money, and allows for some hands-free parenting, whilst giving you and your baby closeness. The wrap performs well in lots of different scenarios, and my baby remained content and comfortable in the wrap. This will absolutely be a wrap that I reach for again.

Fellow reviewer Louise said, "Overall, the Najell wrap is a great choice for any parent who would like to use a soft fabric carrier but doesn't feel confident with traditional wraps. The pre-tied design makes it easy to use and comfortable with no complicated wrapping and adjustments. However, it’s important to note this carrier is not suitable for warmer climates. Also, the wrap lacks adjustable sizing so this could be an issue if multiple parents/family members were hoping to use the carrier.

Despite the negative aspects mentioned, I do think the Najell wrap is worth purchasing. It’s a great product to make your life a little easier as a parent. Especially those with other children who don’t stop just because a newborn has come along! Even those who are having their first child, I would recommend as it allows you the time to be hands free."

Read more:

• Best wraps and slings for babies
• Best carriers tried and tested by parents
• Lifft Stretchy Wrap review
• Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap review