Mei Tai Baby Carrier Wearing Instructions
Mei Tais are one of the simplest types of sling to get to grips with. They can be used from birth by cinching the body of the carrier to make it narrower but they really come into their own at around 3 months old when baby can sit with his legs out of the carrier.
Once you have the knack, baby can be popped into the Mei Tai very quickly and even back carries can be achieved in under a minute!
Worn over two shoulders, Mei Tais make baby feel so much lighter and enable you to carry your baby comfortably even for prolonged periods.
Once you have the knack, baby can be popped into the Mei Tai very quickly and even back carries can be achieved in under a minute!
Worn over two shoulders, Mei Tais make baby feel so much lighter and enable you to carry your baby comfortably even for prolonged periods.
Front Carry (approx 3m onwards|)
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1. Tie the carrier
around your waist like an apron. Have the fabric that you want to face out hanging against your legs. |
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2. Pick the baby up
and hold against you, tummy to tummy, with his or her legs in a "supported squat" position, straddling your middle. |
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3. Scoop the whole carrier up your baby's back. (Don't just pull it up by a strap as this can make the baby unstable in your arms)
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4. Take hold of the straps where they attach to the body of the carrier.
Pull upwards a couple of times to ensure that the baby gets a "good seat" with her bottom lower than her knees. |
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5. Pass the shoulder straps over your shoulders one at a time.
Holding the baby firmly with the right arm, reach behind your back with the left arm and find the right shoulder strap where it hangs down your back. Pull it firmly, in a downwards motion towards the left hip, until you take up the slack at the front of the carrier. |
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6. Swap hands and repeat the procedure until you have the shoulder straps crossed at your back and both ends held firmly in front of you.
At this point, pull forward one the straps in a see-sawing motion until baby is nice and high. Without loosening the tension, cross the straps over the top of baby's legs. |
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7. The cross under baby's bum can be created in different ways.
a) In a Wrap Tai, spread each strap out to its full width before passing over and under baby's legs. |
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8. b) In a Mei Tai, bring the straps over baby's legs and twist the straps around each other once or twice before taking them back under baby's legs.
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9. Tie the shoulder straps in a double knot at your back.
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10. Check that the baby's knees are higher than their bum in an "M" position. You can do this by placing your palms on the soles of baby's feet and pushing gently upwards.
Baby's head must be close enough to kiss. They can have their arms in or out, but the carrier must come up to baby's armpits at least. |
Back Carry (approx 6m onwards)
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Back Carry - Safety Method
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