How to carry smaller babes in Mei Tai?

[BirthKathy]

Hey all,

I have a Babyhawk mei tai which i love, but my baby is still not big enough to be comfortable in it. We can do froggy style, but it bunches his feet up all crazy and seems really uncomfortable to me. He's 15 lbs and 23 inches, so I just tried to put him in the normal position again yesterday thinking maybe he's big enough now, but still no.

Is there a way to tie it differently that makes it usable for him? I don't want to get another carrier if using this one is just around the corner, but I really want to carry him!

Thanks!

Kathy

[PoppyMama]

I tie it up under ds's bum and keep him vertical and high enough that his legs are straightened and touch the bottom of the mei tai. My son is 24"

[baturay]

Originally Posted by BirthKathy

We can do froggy style, but it bunches his feet up all crazy and seems really uncomfortable to me.

How old is he? Little babies naturally bunch up their legs like that when you carry them even in arms, so it may look uncomfortable, but that's just how their little legs turn inside or outside a carrier. If he's not trying to straighten them out while in the carrier, than he's probably comfortable.

[BirthKathy]

He's 3 1/2 mos. I like the standing idea - I didn't think of that! He also can't see out when he's froggy style (or regular), so I bet he'll like that much better. I'm going to try it as soon as he finishes eating! Thanks so much!

[stephienoodle]

When DS was teeny, he rode in our Babyhawk froggy style. He went through an in-between stage when he was about your DS's size where he didn't fit comfortably froggy style or in the normal position... so we did half and half. For a couple of months, he would have one leg down and the other tucked up. It might be worth trying for your DS as well. Good luck!

[WeasleyMum]

I have the same carrier, , and my baby is about the same size, maybe a little smaller, than yours. (He's 12 weeks but ~15lbs, 24-25" ) His legs do bunch up all froggie-style, but I just go with it, since it doesn't seem to make him uncomfortable. I try to tie a good knot right behind his back, so that he can't slump down too much.

[BirthKathy]

Thanks for the additional tips! I'll try it out later today. My husband came home early and took the baby down for a nap. :-)

[kinzee]

I always used the froggy style but DH carried our kids in the standing position as well. I'm sure it won't be much longer before you can use it "normally" it is a wonderful carrier.