Mei Tai or Ergo

[stillhopefulforanother]

I have a three month old which naps in the sling a lot! Reason is I have a two year old toddler and I don't have the time to settle baby in the cot for naps so I stick her in the sling.

I use a moby wrap sling. However as she gets bigger I don't think the moby will work as well and I'd like to get an Ergo really but they are so expensive.

Is a Mei Tai similar?

I need the sling for naps and sleep, so which one is best Mai Tei or Ergo?

Thanks

I've got a mei tai which I love. I bought it after trying a friend's ergo - I liked that too, but couldn't afford it. I think the main differences is that the mei tei uses long straps that you tie, rather than adjustable straps with a buckle. So I'd say a mei tai is probably harder for a beginner, but as you're a moby user you probably wouldn't find it too hard.

You probably know that mei tai is a style rather than a brand name, and I think some are probably better than others. Mine is a Babyhawk and it's really good - padded shoulder straps and really well made - in fact I've had it for over six years and it's on its third baby now. So if you decide to go for a mei tei it might be worth researching specific brands. I'm pretty sure there are other brands similar to the ergo, with the mei tei style but buckles rather than ties (I think Babyhawk does one now) which might be another option.

Generally mei tais have very long straps (which dangle on the ground when tying) whereas ergo has buckles so is less faff. For that reason, out of those two I would recommend an ergo.

However, there are lots of other buckle carriers apart from the ergo.
Slumbaroo will hire a selection to them to you for a trial.

slumber-roo.co.uk/hire

The natural mamas forum is also really good for sling info.

Also check and see if you have any slingmeets in your area

Yes, babyhawk do a buckle carrier - I had one and it was great :)

I have both a baby hawk mei tai ( an amazing bargain for a couple of quid from a charity shop) and an ergo. I love my Ergo and now she's 10 months and getting heavier and heavier its great, I hurt my back when she was little and I struggled with carrying her for a few months, using the ergo I hardly feel her, plus her dad is happy to have her in it now she's outgrown the baby bjorn. I can see me using this ergo for a very long time.

I have an Ergo and two Babyhawk mai tais. I love the look of the babyhawks and used them loads when my babies were tiny bit must admit the Ergo is easier to just fling dd (18 months) onto my back. I never really got the strap position on the legs quite right either and often had to adjust.
Perhaps try a tula or Babyhawk buckle carrier instead if you like the look of those but would prefer the convenience of an ergo?

I have an ergo, and never really got to grips with the newborn insert, her legs felt trapped and uncomfortable. DD wasn't big enough to sit in it properly until she was over 6 months (and now at 10 months she still needs the insert cushion). It's great now, but there was a long period it was unusable, which was an unexpected pain in the arse.

Suggest you google and go to a local sling library and try them both out/ borrow them? Everyone has different preferences. I thought I wanted an Ergo but when I went to the sling library I borrowed a Manduca for a week and ended up getting that one.

I would second going to a local sling library. I had my heart set on an ergo and wanted to borrow one over Christmas as I can't afford one until the new year.

Tried it on and found it really uncomfortable and pinchy.

Am a week in to borrowing a hoptye (mei tai) and it has changed my life. Ds (6 months) loves it and after a few times of tying it I can now get it on in a minute or two - even did it in the supermarket car park today, without the straps dangling on the floor.

I had and Ergo and a mei tai and although I liked them both, I found the Ergo easier to use (no long straps to negotiate).

Ergo's are expensive, but I sold ours for about half what I paid for it. You may be able to get a good one second hand.

Dd is a year old and still quite happy in the moby, as is my back.

Thanks everyone.

Melon - do u think that the moby is ok for a while then? I will get her to nap in the cot at some point but want sling as a backup.

I vote ergo or any buckle carrier - google love to be natural she sells most slings. There are Tula and rose and rebellion buckle carriers but also look up the Facebook group 'slings and things fsot' for 2nd hand slings.

I carry dd2 in an ergo and have done from about 2 months. I need to hold dd1 hand it has worked well for us but I couldn't be arsed tying a mei tai or having her dangling in a stretchy wrap at a year old!

Buckle carriers in general are brilliant and quick and easy and idiot proof!

I've got an Ergo and I love it I've carried newborns with the insert with no problem and used it right up to age 4 so a very versatile, comfortable, strong sling. Expensive but well worth it imho.

I've got a babyhawk mei tai too. Has worked for us from newborn- now (15 months) and hopefully onwards.

I used my ergo from ds being a small prem 3 month baby with the insert. We had no problems, and still use it with my ds now he's nearly 4. He can't walk due to disability and it is the single best piece of baby equipment I spent my money on.

We loved our ergo having moved onto it from a stretchy wrap

My (last) dd hasn't used it for a while now and I don't suppose she will again which makes me very sad.

PM me if you'd be interested in buying it (sorry if that's against the rules)

Looks like Ergo is favourite. Any advice on where the cheapest place to buy is? They are so expensive!

Further up the thread someone has mentioned a Facebook group called "Slings and Things FSOT" - suggest you join this group as they are frequently sold on there plus there is so much information on there about slings/ wraps etc. There are also lots of fake Ergos about so never get one from Ebay eg. On that group you are more likely to get a genuine one. On the off chance you consider Manduca v Ergo (v similar to be honest - if you google Manduca V Ergo there's plenty of comparisons out there) I got mine from Kiddicare .... I'd recommend them. John Lewis sells Ergos.

(I prefer my buggy to carrying to be honest.... But I think a carrier is a real Godsend to have. Especially if you have two kids or if you're ever travelling/ taking a plane).

Good luck OP!

OP please try one out before you buy ... Just in case !

I'd say you're fine with a moby for a fair few months yet I don't use it for naps anymore and am about to ditch it completely as dd is now so wriggly I have to hold her in.

But I'd second trying a sling library, there's one in our town and it's really good. I paraded newborn dd around in their for ages but went with the moby as it was comfy and can be used several ways until they're 35lbs