There are lots of different styles of mei tai baby carriers being sold on haifvalue as well as online. This guide is to help you in deciding what is the best way for you and your baby.
Here are some helpful features for you to look at and ask the seller when purchasing a mei tai...
1) Strap length of the mei tai. Generally, you want the straps to be at least 60 inches long at the top and at least 28 inches at the waist. If you go any shorter than that, you will be limited in who can carry the baby (especially if you are tall and of a large build) and how you can carry the baby (whether it be front, side or back carry). There are quite a few beautiful carriers out there but aware that the strap length is very important for the kind of use you will get out of it.
2) Padding in the strap at the shoulders. Padding in the shoulder area helps to keep the upper straps spread evenly across the wearer for added comfort. The padding doesn't necessarily have to be thick to be more comfortable. Even if there is no padding, strap width can help make the upper straps more comfortable. I have found through my own designing that light padding that gives the fabric more support prevents bunching when you start to move your arms when wearing the mei tai.
3) Padded lining in the body. This helps make getting baby in and out of the sling a little easier as it provides added support to the fabric. Some mei tais are lined with fleece, quilted cotton with polyfilled batting, warm and comfy, etc. Remember that if you plan to use it all year round, consider the lining when buying a mei tai. The lining will also make a difference in how small the mei tai can be folded down. Thick linings can make the mei tai very bulky and hard to fold down. A lightly lined body may be more functional for all year round use and ease in storage. Sometimes a lightly lined mei tai can have enough stiffness in the body to make it easier to get on and off baby.
4) Upper strap placement on the body and body size. Some mei tais are made with the straps offset to the side of the body or angled at the top part or placed at the corners at the top and side. Consider the size of the body and the strap placement when buying a mei tai. If the body is wide and the strap is placed on the side, there is a greater chance of the upper straps sliding off the shoulders of the wearer especially when moving the arms. Angled straps provided much better positioning on the wearer's shoulders also.
5) Body size of the mei tai. Be aware that the size of the body of the mei tai can make a big difference in how and when you can carry your baby. If the body width is too wide, usually greater than 16 inches, you may have to wait several months before a little baby can be straddled in the mei tai. If it is too wide, baby can't sit properly straddled in the carrier. A body that is made too short, less than 21 inches in length can limit how long you can use the carrier. As baby gains head control, they have a tendency to lean back in the carrier at times. A body made too short can increase the likelihood of baby pushing out of it too easily. This can be avoided with how the straps are tied around baby, especially in a front carrier.
6) baby type. Babies are very messy beings and if you buy a carrier made of a satin or silk type , be aware that you may not be able to wash these or washing the mei tai can leave permanent watermarks on the fabric. There are many choices of fabrics available for mei tais including cotton, cotton polyester,organic cotton , sueded fabric twill etc. Also remember that some fabrics are strong and very durable for the straps but can become extremely bulky when tying the sling on. Cotton and cotton blends work best for straps. Washing the fabric can turn a mei tai into a ball or it can retain its shape depending on the fabric. Being stylish doesn't always mean that a mei tai can always stay nice and clean so be aware of the fabric and care.
7) Price alone doesn't determine how functional the mei tai will be. Look at all the features above when buying a mei tai. An expensive mei tai doesn't mean the craftmanship may be any better than another one. There are lots of affordable sellers of mei tais that do wonderful work for a fraction of the price of name brand carrier makers. Now wouldn't you like to save some of that money towards baby's college fund instead?
8) Folding down feature and storage. Remember the mei tais have fairly long straps. The easier it is to find them and undo them before tying can make a difference for an antsy baby. If it can be stored in a more organized fashion, it will be easier to get out and put on. If you have to roll it into a ball and then unroll it to put it on, have fun. The time you put in storing it more organized means less time fumbling with it when putting it on.
These are just some of the features you should consider when buying a mei tai baby carrier. I hope this article will help you on your journey of buying a mei tai baby carrier.baby is a great thing to do with your baby as your learn about each other and grow together.
Here are some helpful features for you to look at and ask the seller when purchasing a mei tai...
1) Strap length of the mei tai. Generally, you want the straps to be at least 60 inches long at the top and at least 28 inches at the waist. If you go any shorter than that, you will be limited in who can carry the baby (especially if you are tall and of a large build) and how you can carry the baby (whether it be front, side or back carry). There are quite a few beautiful carriers out there but aware that the strap length is very important for the kind of use you will get out of it.
2) Padding in the strap at the shoulders. Padding in the shoulder area helps to keep the upper straps spread evenly across the wearer for added comfort. The padding doesn't necessarily have to be thick to be more comfortable. Even if there is no padding, strap width can help make the upper straps more comfortable. I have found through my own designing that light padding that gives the fabric more support prevents bunching when you start to move your arms when wearing the mei tai.
3) Padded lining in the body. This helps make getting baby in and out of the sling a little easier as it provides added support to the fabric. Some mei tais are lined with fleece, quilted cotton with polyfilled batting, warm and comfy, etc. Remember that if you plan to use it all year round, consider the lining when buying a mei tai. The lining will also make a difference in how small the mei tai can be folded down. Thick linings can make the mei tai very bulky and hard to fold down. A lightly lined body may be more functional for all year round use and ease in storage. Sometimes a lightly lined mei tai can have enough stiffness in the body to make it easier to get on and off baby.
4) Upper strap placement on the body and body size. Some mei tais are made with the straps offset to the side of the body or angled at the top part or placed at the corners at the top and side. Consider the size of the body and the strap placement when buying a mei tai. If the body is wide and the strap is placed on the side, there is a greater chance of the upper straps sliding off the shoulders of the wearer especially when moving the arms. Angled straps provided much better positioning on the wearer's shoulders also.
5) Body size of the mei tai. Be aware that the size of the body of the mei tai can make a big difference in how and when you can carry your baby. If the body width is too wide, usually greater than 16 inches, you may have to wait several months before a little baby can be straddled in the mei tai. If it is too wide, baby can't sit properly straddled in the carrier. A body that is made too short, less than 21 inches in length can limit how long you can use the carrier. As baby gains head control, they have a tendency to lean back in the carrier at times. A body made too short can increase the likelihood of baby pushing out of it too easily. This can be avoided with how the straps are tied around baby, especially in a front carrier.
6) baby type. Babies are very messy beings and if you buy a carrier made of a satin or silk type , be aware that you may not be able to wash these or washing the mei tai can leave permanent watermarks on the fabric. There are many choices of fabrics available for mei tais including cotton, cotton polyester,organic cotton , sueded fabric twill etc. Also remember that some fabrics are strong and very durable for the straps but can become extremely bulky when tying the sling on. Cotton and cotton blends work best for straps. Washing the fabric can turn a mei tai into a ball or it can retain its shape depending on the fabric. Being stylish doesn't always mean that a mei tai can always stay nice and clean so be aware of the fabric and care.
7) Price alone doesn't determine how functional the mei tai will be. Look at all the features above when buying a mei tai. An expensive mei tai doesn't mean the craftmanship may be any better than another one. There are lots of affordable sellers of mei tais that do wonderful work for a fraction of the price of name brand carrier makers. Now wouldn't you like to save some of that money towards baby's college fund instead?
8) Folding down feature and storage. Remember the mei tais have fairly long straps. The easier it is to find them and undo them before tying can make a difference for an antsy baby. If it can be stored in a more organized fashion, it will be easier to get out and put on. If you have to roll it into a ball and then unroll it to put it on, have fun. The time you put in storing it more organized means less time fumbling with it when putting it on.
These are just some of the features you should consider when buying a mei tai baby carrier. I hope this article will help you on your journey of buying a mei tai baby carrier.baby is a great thing to do with your baby as your learn about each other and grow together.
