Are all Mei Tais the same? Is it just the design which is different?

[spekulatius]

Im looking for a soft carrier to use on the back. I saw a video on youtube of a lady putting her baby on her back with a mei tai, looked really simple but it doesn't say exactly what kind of mei tai it is. I've heard lots of different names for mei tais, just wandered if there is a difference other than the look?

[Shiraztastic]

Not all have head support, so some aren't suitable for newborns. We used a BabyHawk, which did and was

[pootlebug]

A 'mei tai' is a traditional carrier which consists of a rectangular-ish panel with 2 longish waist straps and 2 longer shoulder straps.

But that's kind of like saying a house is a thing with windows and doors that you live in, or a car is a thing with four wheels for getting from a to b.

So there are lots of manufacturers, with different features, different comfort levels, different sizes, and different levels of focus on safety.

How old is your baby? Do you have a budget in mind? Can you sew (there are some good tutorials on making your own).

[spekulatius]

Thanks for that. Baby is 8 months old so won't need head support. I've been using a wrap so far but want something for back carry that I can use without assistance. Nope, can't sew. Would really like a Beco Gemini but 100 is too expensive. 50 would be max. I've seen some on eBay for 20 brand new. Are they real?

[pootlebug]

£20 ebay mei tais aren't likely to be brilliant quality unfortunately - which means at worst the straps won't be securely attached enough and potentially dangerous. Or it could just mean a bit thin and diggy.

Have a look at the Facebook for sale groups Babywearing FSOT and Slings & Things FSOT - you should be able to find a decent mei tai within your budget.

Are you near a sling library or meet where you could go along and try something in person before you buy? You can put your postcode in here to see //www.babywearing.co.uk/localsupport

[spekulatius]

I'm in ipswich. there is a sling meet but on their website they say to email for details which I did but no reply. Will have a look at that site, thanks.

[spekulatius]

BTW, its a Palm & Pond mei Tai.

[SweetTeaVodka]

I'm in Ipswich too You want to find Suffolk Babywearing Group on Facebook, they have a library with trained consultants and library meets every two weeks in Ipswich with social meets at various times. All the times are on the fb group. The fb group is great for peer support too.

m.facebook.com/#!/groups/149384328481799 is the fb page.

[milktraylady]

Look on eBay for mns designs.
Their mei tai is v good & around £20-30. Recommended to me by my local sling meet nice lentil weavers

Uk made, can get longer straps so other half can wear too.

[pootlebug]

Haven't tried MNS designs. Have tried a Palm and Pond and don't rate them at all - thin and diggy straps and not very substantial.

[LikeCandy]

I also bought a palm & pond mei tai just to try it out and for me (I am petite) the straps are not long enough to wrap round for a lot of the carries - therefore rely on a double knot only. On all of the YouTube videos I've seen on positioning babies in mei tais all others seem to have much longer straps!
I am considering a babyhawk now

[LlamaLover]

Main difference in mei tais is wrap straps (wide material that can be fanned out to spread weight) or just normal cord/cotton straps.

Other than that, there is size and also angle of straps (which is just personal preference).

I agree about £20 mei tais being poor quality. £50 would buy you a 2nd hand Babyhawk, Kozy or Lenny Lamb - all of which are good quality.

If you could stretch a bit more, Melkaj are very beautiful and 2nd hand would be around £65.

Hope you find something you love!

[spekulatius]

Just to update, I did buy a mns design one and its been great so far. Have carried DD in it for an hour on the front with no problems. Need a bit more practice with backcarry. It feels very strong and supportive and baby is very close to me like in a wrap. So far I'm very pleased.