3.5 month old baby chokes in mei tai wrap

[birdie.lee]

This happened the 2nd time today.  DS was eating in the mei tai on the way home, and we walked in the door and he started choking, turned an alarming color.  It scared me so bad.  First time was at the grocery store, it wasn't as bad of an incident, mostly coughing, he wasn't eating at the time so I don't think that is related but i did make it worse today I think.  I don't wear him that often, but started wearing him more now I am back at work.  Mei tai is handmade.

Am I doing something wrong?  Is the mei tai not for us?

Edited to add that DS is about 15 lbs.  I do tie the shoulder straps around his back for support and make him high enough to kiss.  This is really worrying me.

Edited by birdie.lee - 2/29/12 at 11:27am

[Super~Single~Mama]

How are you feeding him? Nursing or bottle? If he's nursing, you'll need to lower him a little so that he is level with your breast (although, if he's high enough to kiss I have a hard time seeing how you would nurse him at that level - if you are bottle feeding in the mei tai you would probably need to keep the bottle more horizontal so that his sucking out of the bottle is very intentional, and he's not getting milk dripping out of the bottle nipple while taking a breath - did that make sense?). Also, I loved my mei tai, but I could not figure out how to nurse successfully in it, so someone else may be able to give you better instructions.

[birdie.lee]

Yikes, I should have clarified, I was breastfeeding.  I did lower him a bit (and I have flexible boobies).  The first time he choked he wasn't breastfeeding though, just being carried in the mei tai.  He made high pitched choking noises without any warning.

Sorry, I think in my worry I am not explaining things very well.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Hmm..is the mei tai tied too tight? Honestly, I would find someone in your area who is very experienced with baby wearing and get a tutorial, or find a babywearing store and ask to show you how to tie it, and tell them what has been happening.

[birdie.lee]

I may be tying it too tight, because I thought it is supposed to be tied tightly!  I am going to ask around and see if I can find someone local who can help me.  Thank you!

[Super~Single~Mama]

It's supposed to be snug, but not so tight that the baby can't turn their head, or look around a little. Instead of tying the straps behind baby's back, you might try tying under baby's bottom instead.

[birdie.lee]

From what you are saying, I think the mei tai body is too big for us.  The top headrest part bows out a large distance so that if DS were to rest his head on it he would practically be looking at the ceiling.  So he's either overextending back or laying his head on me and he shouldn't be doing that.  I've tried stuffing a blanket behind his head but it isn't working right, too much space back there.  I looked at lots of mei tai babywearing pictures on google images and it looks like the fit of ours is off.  I feel bad because it was a lovely homemade gift but I do not want to endanger DS.  Maybe I ought to put it aside until he is bigger.

I did just order a ring sling so we are going to try that out, plus I am looking at an Ergo/Boba/Beco except they are super expensive.

[jodieanneanton]

Is the body too long or too wide do you think? If too long, fold the bottom up once or twice (to desired height) then tie around waist.  See if that maybe helps.  I have to do that for one of my mei tais that is too long.    I would try this first.

FWIW I always tie the mei tai so that it ties under the baby's bottom.  Way more support that way...also less sagging.

Also, with your description of the head rest part... it sounds like the shoulder straps may be a little off...  I don't know how you would fix that unless you do some messing around on a sewing machine.

[birdie.lee]

I do already fold up the bottom but then I feel like I have to tie it around me super high for DS to be high enough.  Like just under my boobs.  That can't be right?  I've been told I have a long torso even though I am a short person.  And I do think the body might be too wide as well.  I am not a good sewer, and the straps are super enforced where they are attached to the body so I don't think I will be able to change them, which is too bad.