Over the past couple of weeks Ive been getting lots of carrier questions, mostly do to that summer baby boom i think. tons of pregnant and new mommies out there! combined with a move to a new bigger city where everyone in town wasnt familiar with my babywearing ways lol.
Most of the time you find me sporting and posting about my two favorite types of carriers. Wraps in general (specifically didymos , my fave) and ring slings (mostly sakura blooms which keep me drooling). But there is another type of carrier out there that many haven't tried. No, I'm not talking about an ergo, but those are awesome too! Its called a Mei Tai. It looks like some type of cool new thing but actually these are traditional asian baby carriers that have been in use for hundreds of years, maybe thousands! Proof positive, they are comfy and they work. Carriers that don't, get ditched quick by moms and consequently fall off the face of the earth. thats why you find so many snuglis in give away boxes, thrift stores, and eventually trash cans :)
Many mamas see a wrap and want to run for the hills. They seem complicated and do require a learning curve which many new moms just don't seem to have the time for. Wraps are amazing and will always be my first babywearing love, but if you just dont feel the same keep reading!
Many mamas see a ring sling and find it a bit scary. Plenty of mamas ask me if the rings can slip or break (no a safely made ring sling will never!) Some folks are turned off by having to adjust each time they put baby in. The other complaint i hear about ring slings is the lack of back carry ability. While it is true, many advanced babywearing mamas can successfully backcarry in a ring sling (i cant after four years) its not so easy for everyone. Don't get me wrong, I have quite a few in my closet and drool over them daily, but if you just arent feeling the ring sling love, keep reading on!
The Ergo is quickly becoming the new Bjorn in the mommy world. Parents all around the world are trading their front facing crotch danglers for this more ergonomic "weight on bum" option, and rightfully so. They are easy to use and very comfortable, but those mamas who are looking for something a little more stylish don't always love all the straps and buckles. sure they come in some new colors and prints, but options are limited and there is no shiny silk option or custom add ons, if the ergo just aint purdy enough you are reading the right blog.
There is an answer to the carrier madness and its the Mei Tai. They are as easy to use as a soft structured carrier (ergo, beco , etc) but much prettier. My favorite Mei Tai shown above is a Himmel (not readily available) but my favorite brand is the Babyhawk , although there are many others out there. The mei tai is great for a newborn, and also works for a toddler just as well. They are strong and sturdy and can totally take a beating. Most come in a reversible option and you can get many with a sleeping hood like mine, this helps when a kiddo falls asleep so you can pull up the hood and avoid that infamous head flop. Also keeps strangers out of your sleeping baby's face lol! They have sturdy canvas straps that stick well and don't slip. If you have mastered the apron and the backpack, then you can do a Mei Tai. One of the best things about a Mei Tai is that there are no adjustments to be made. Each time you put it on it fits you and baby perfectly! Beau has declared my Babyhawk http://www.babyhawk.com/ to be the only carrier he is truly comfy in and can work himelf.
When a little baby is in a Mei Tai they are snuggled in right next to mom and as they grow the oh so clever self adjusting Mei Tai allows a little one to decide when they are a big kid. They will simply pop their arms out one day and your little baby carrier just became a toddler toter! No changing settings or removing inserts, it is a perfect design! Some have padded straps, some don't, I find the Mei Tai to be so comfy that they arent necessary. Best of all, they are affordable. I always recommend checking out reviews on http://www.thebabywearer.com/ if you are purchasing a random carrier from someone on ebay or something used as well but there are boatloads of safe and beautiful Mei Tai carriers available.
sooo if you think your kid just doesn't like carriers or just dont feel they are for you , give a Mei Tai a shot! a 2.5 year old sleeping on your back in the grocery store is soo much more fun than one throwing a tantrum! you will never again have to decide between a nap or an outing :)
ah Your so right about the Ergo being the new Bjorn. I've learned not to get excited when I see someone wearing one anymore. They are everywhere now and not that I'm not happy people are wearing their babies in a safe way, but the lack of creativity bores me to tears. Maybe creative isn't the right word... I just don't like it when people fail to research their options, the Ergo is not the only carrier just because its the first thing to come up in a google search and even among some babywearing friends... "oh, you want a baby carrier?... You need an Ergo!" UGH. IMO there are much better SSC out there if you are going that route. the Ergo has one of the shortest bodies and a crappy hood (unless they have changed it). I got my Manduca shipped from Germany for the same price as a standard, non-organic Ergo and it has an infant insert, adjustable body height, a great hood and its organic cotton/hemp! Ok, sorry, enough Ergo bashing. I do understand it is a favorite even among those mamas who have tried a lot of different carriers. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh and I'm VERY glad that the Ergo is replacing the Bjorn... at least I don't worry about it causing any spine/hip problems or being super uncomfortable for the wearer.
ReplyDeleteI loved my Ergo! I got 3 friends hooked on them lol. I always coveted a mei tei though, the babyhawk especially! Maybe someday :) Great writing
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