Which mei tai

[ellangirl]

Looking for a mei tai, perhaps joeyslings or napsack? I have tried hop type recently but it's not for me- I want to be able to adjust body length as 7 month old dd often wants her arms out. She's not very big so some carriers are too broad across the seat for her. I like wider shoulder straps if possible. I would like to try back carries but the thought of crossing over my boobs is not appealing as i am large of nork!
Anyone want to help me or suggest some others to look at?

[TeaandHobnobs]

I have a BabyHawk which is working well for us - if you want to adjust the body length you can fold the waist strap over to make a shorter back. They are quite reasonably priced second hand too, about £50-60 generally.
I've just been practicing back carrying with 13mo DS, and providing I pull the straps tight enough, I don't need to cross them over my front - I do rucksack straps instead.
There's also a bigger version (I know it is longer in the body, not sure if it is wider at the base) called a ToddlerHawk.

There are many many more MTs of course! But BabyHawk is the only one I have tried.

[chezchaos]

I loved our Babyhawk but the straps aren't particularly wide.

Melkaj have sturdier straps than Babyhawk if I remember rightly - they're handmade in Poland so not as easy to find but sometimes UK stockists have them online or you can order a custom carrier to be made.

[Helspopje]

baby hawk back carry doesnt cross over boob. i liked mine so much that i bought a toddler hawk to continue carrying
Can order direct and get lovely colourways/fabrics

[BananaramaLlama]

Napsack has oar-shaped straps so they are nice and wide where they cross on your back but narrow down again for easy tying. Joey aren't particularly wide. Neither has adjustable width but napsack is hourglass shape in the panel so it's good for narrower babies. You can fold at the waist band for most mei tais.

[ellangirl]

Napsack sounding good then. Only thing is that the back carry shown uses cross over. Worried about squishing my boobs as it's not exactly flattering but also I don't want to cause blocked ducts etc. I wonder if I could tie it with rucksack straps. I have a different carrier (olives and applesauce) which will be great when she's bigger, but it's just too broad for her at the moment.

[ellangirl]

Haven't heard of melkaj by the way, but I'll have a look. Baby hawk sounds like the straps won't be wide enough, but thanks

[shuckleberryfinn]

ellangirl, is there a slingmeet or library near you? Good way to try a few out before buying. Also the Pouchlings mei tais are good value for money and the owner is lovely and accomodating.

[FeijoaVodkaStat]

I have a custom Melkaj and LOVE it. I had no issues ordering and having it sent from Poland either.

[ellangirl]

The sling meet near me has a few types, but not all, so I was just looking for some more opinions. Melkaj look so pretty!

[pootlebug]

The most adjustable mei tai I can think of is the Neobulle Evolubulle. Panel cinches down to small enough for a newborn, and goes big enough to swamp my 14 month old completely - should fit a 3 year old easily so long as they are under the 15kg weight limit.

[ellangirl]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. A few more to think about that I hadn't heard of! Can see baby wearing can become an expensive hobby

[ellangirl]

Shuckleberry I think I'm going to go for pouchlings. They are so gorgeous and the lady will do a custom one for me. The neobulle looks great, but I've ruled it out because it's quite similar to hop tye. I'll just get one to fit dd now, and if I have to buy another one when she's bigger so be it Thanks again!