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Original poster

Ergo v mei tai?

27 replies

sammysam · 12/04/2007 09:30

Anyone have any views on this?
Is a mei tai difficult to get the hang of or easy enough for a novice user?

OP posts:

mummyhill · 12/04/2007 09:45

I have only used the mei tai but find it great have carried my 18 month old and my 5 year old in it. Being quite good at sewing I downloaded a free pattern and made one myself.

Original poster

sammysam · 12/04/2007 12:37

Is it hard to get them into the back carrying possition?

OP posts:

mummyhill · 12/04/2007 12:44

Depends on how old they are.

DD (5) is easy I sit her on my hip then bend over and she shuffles round holding on tight whilst I secure her in. Ds is a little more difficult because he prefers the front carry and wriggles. If you get them used to the back carry asap then you shouldn't have any problems.

Tatties · 12/04/2007 12:44

Haven't tried the Ergo, but have found Mei tais much easier to use than structured soft carriers similar to the Ergo. Thought wrapping and tying would be difficult to get the hang of but not at all. (Haven't tried it on the back carrying position yet though.)

Original poster

sammysam · 12/04/2007 12:52

Thats what i was thinking-it really does look difficult........
i'm so used to how easy the baby bjorn is to use but dd just getting too heavy to wear on my front-especially when she leans forwards!

Where did you get your mei tai from?

Also i have quite narrow shoulders-rucksacks tend to fall off-do you think i'll be ok?

OP posts:

mummyhill · 12/04/2007 13:02

Erm I made my own. Are you any good at sewing? I used a sewing machine and it was dead simple. will try and find a link for you if it will help.

funnypeculiar · 12/04/2007 13:14

fwiw, a mate of mine who is a BIG babywearing leant me her ergo (I am quite petit) I could not get on with it at all. She said she wasn't surpirsed as lots of "smaller people" apparently struggle with ergo.
I've gone with a ringsling as easier than mei tai (although I do think they look lovely
How old is your dr?

Loopymumsy · 12/04/2007 13:34

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PopTart · 12/04/2007 16:27

I have both and ergo and 2 mei tais. My dd is 5 months this weekend, and I have just started on back carries. Mei tais are a doddle to get used to, and they come in so many pretty designs, I do however love my ergo for dog walking. I save the mei tais for showing off in my town where I am the only babywearer

I think the Ergo is the easiest for back carries, but I have only done it with a meitai once, and that was an hour a go!

For Mei Tais, check out the Babyhawks - lovely !

Original poster

sammysam · 12/04/2007 16:32

mummyhill-i'm good at sewing but it has been a while

how difficult was it too make? What type of fabric did you use? What stitch/thread etc?
Where did you get the pattern?

DD is almost 9 months-long but not heavy.

Funny-how petit are you? I'm tall but not big with narrow shoulders-what was it about the ergo that didn't fit?

OP posts:

chirpygirl · 12/04/2007 16:33

I've never tried an Ergo but find it very easy to get DD in her Mei tai after only having it for a week.
I put her on my hip as if going for a hip carry on it, lift straps over my head and then slide her round, once it is tied I do up the waist again. Very easy!
The rucksack can pull a bit but I looped a small strap round them and made a chest strap (like an ergo) which stops it sliding off my shoulders and supports it a bit as well.

Original poster

sammysam · 12/04/2007 16:40

also been wandering about head support as dd tends to fall asleep-what happens with their heads?-silly question i know!

Had a look at hacobaby, joeyslings and babyhawk-they all look different-anyone have a favourite?

also what do you do about a bag for nappies, wallet etc?

OP posts:

Loopymumsy · 12/04/2007 16:47

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Original poster

sammysam · 12/04/2007 16:49

Loopymumsy-is your ergo new or old generation?

OP posts:

Loopymumsy · 12/04/2007 16:51

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mummyhill · 12/04/2007 17:29

was really easy to sew. will lookfor a link for you.

MrsApron · 12/04/2007 17:33

Ergo great but a bit sweaty in the summer.

I have a cwitshi for then and I go for a satchel type bag on the hip.

mummyhill · 12/04/2007 17:38

here is the pattern for a mei tai I used curtain material for mine and cut it square at the top instead of curved.

Loopymumsy · 12/04/2007 19:54

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accessorizewithbabysick · 12/04/2007 19:57

I have no advice on either (although I was thinking longingly of the eden baby carrier from homegrownbaby.co.uk) but i noticed bigmamaslings had links to sling patterns on their website?

bensmum4 · 12/04/2007 20:54

Iam only 5"4 and size 10, and I loved using the ergo for ds2, took a while to get used to putting it on, but carried him until I was pregnant with dd2, when he was nearly 3yrs. I do like the look of the mei tai, and am tempted to post a wanted ad for one, just to see the difference, and I like the patterns. . dh would be mad as I have always said how much I love my ergo.

MrsApron · 12/04/2007 21:21

The world of mei tais is fraught with choice.

They are all subtly different and suit diff people and babies. Some have flip up neck bits for head support some don't. Some straps are more padded than others. Long bodies/short bodies tis a veritable minefield.

the baby wearer for sling nuts advice!

I really fancy a connecta they look lush and have all the ease of an ergo because they have buckles.

However dd2 is non-fussed for carrying and i cannot justify it.

Loopymumsy · 12/04/2007 21:24

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Original poster

sammysam · 13/04/2007 15:35

I'm starting to doubt i'd ever actually get round to making it!!!! Maybe if i buy one and love it then i could try nd make another-thanks for the link though!

Now i've gone and seen the eden-ooooh!

And looked at reviews on the babywearer-just getting more muddled

I've got 2 main probs-i'm very indecisive and dp hates me spending money so the decision MUST be right!

Does anyone with a MT manage to get dp/dh to wear them? Would be good to but i do tend to wear it mainly anyway so maybe i should get a nice one for me!!!!

OP posts:

PopTart · 13/04/2007 16:15

if you get a babyhawk you can get one side with a manish fabric, and one girly I think you can do this with others as well, but I am not sure which ones!

you could hire one? bigmamaslings or slingjax hire out cheaply? or there is UKbabywearing Swap, where second hand slings are listed constantly (I find this less scarey then TBW )

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