Thinking of gettin a Mei Tai

[birthjunkie27]

My Peanut Shell Pouch is nice for short periods of time. But after a while it starts to hurt my shoulder. And Samara will only sit up in it which means I always need one hand supporting her upper body. She HATES the cradle position.

I'm thinking the Mei Tai will give her more support in the upright position and I'll have 2 hands to work with!

[IncaMama]

yeah i'm thinking of getting one too...for the same reason. my wrap is great for that, but i think the way it works makes her feel to scrunched and it's also a bear to put on. it's sooooooooooooooo long and it's pretty heavy..and doesn't fit well in my diaper bag. jeez! is there anything i DO like about it? LMAO!!

[judybean]

Gosh... you guys have inspired me to bust out mine!!

It can be a bit cumbersome at times (just getting the upper straps positioned properly, because they are a bit long), but... it can be SO nice. I've just been using my ring sling lately, with Lucy's head up near the rings sort of, so that she's in a slightly propped up position.

I actually haven't used my wrap yet :bag: ... And while I adore the idea of the wraps (I mean, how much more simple can you get?!?) sometimes they're just so darn long that they're not convinient -- at least not for newborns that seem to need in and out of them constantly for diaper changes and/or feedings. I like the wraps when they're just a bit older at least and can go for longer between feedings and such.

But my ring sling? It's the easiest, least-bulky carrier there is. I :love it.

But, there are *TOTAL* advantages to mei tais (or ABCs, whatever you want to call them!) as well -- especially for when you're carrying the babe for a long time or for heavier babies (two-shoulder support)!

Oh, and I think my ABC is cute. It's the good'n'plenty stripes (mostly black, white and pinky stripes ... maybe a green or two in there as well?) with black straps.

[kofduke]

I'm totally addicted to MT's, so much so I've been clearing everything else out except a few pouches to get a few more. When I get all of them I'll make recommendations...

[iris0110]

I love my mei tai, I would have more if I could afford them. The maya wrap is more convienent for short periods around the house, but nothing beats the mei tai for walks or trying to get actual house work done. I asked dh for a solarveil mei tai for our anniversary or my b-day. I have a wrap, but it is just so cumbersom and difficult to wear (maybe because I made it out of fleece) but the mei tai is so easy. It is even easier if dh is around to help me. :lol

[IncaMama]

i hate you all!! you're making me want 100 carriers!! LOL

[allnaturalmama]

:lol Michele, didn't you know there is a mathematical formula that shows that the number of baby carriers you must own multiplies dramatically with each baby you add to the household? :D I think I'm up to 8.

Looked into an onbuhimo yet? I picked up a silk one on ebay for a song and really, really like it! A little like a Mei Tai, but with rings to simplify the tie process.

[Slightlycrunchymama]

I am a carrier queen as well, I have a maya pouch (like it but only for cradel position) a maya ring sling, like it as well but again im using 1 hand for support when he's upright, ummm an ergo which I havnt tried yet (i forgot about it) a met tei I also havnt tried and a homemade ring sling given to me by Erin (its my fav so far, thanks Erin!) Id still love a Kozy carrier and a KKAFP to try. Maybe we should start a swap?

[birthjunkie27]

I've been wondering, why would one mama need so many carriers? Especially more than 1 of the same type of carrier? Can anyone demystify this for me?

[mom2angelbabies]

Do any of you make your own Mei Tai's? I have a friend who's made several of her own along with her Maya Wraps (I made my own MW, as well) and I was just wondering if anyone else does this and if you all use the same exact pattern.

[afishwithabike]

I tried the Mei Tai and didn't really like it. Or more appropriately DS didn't like it. My DD loves being carried like that but I think it is because her legs are much longer and DS didn't like his legs being crunched up or spread out. I wish he would've liked it but oh well I guess.

[kofduke]

I've been wondering, why would one mama need so many carriers? Especially more than 1 of the same type of carrier? Can anyone demystify this for me?

My DH wonders the same thing :lol - I guess for one thing it's the same reason anyone collects anything - it's just enjoyable to have things that are beautiful, and the fact that they can be used for something as wonderful as wearing your baby and that the purchase supports WAHM's makes me feel less guilty. Plus, you can typically sell carriers for a decent return.

[IncaMama]

i don't know...but...i want 'em all. LOL

[mariposita]

I've been wondering, why would one mama need so many carriers? Especially more than 1 of the same type of carrier? Can anyone demystify this for me?

i find that different carriers are better for different things:
podaegi - housework and this is the only thing carter ever would fall asleep in
wrap- super comfy for long walks - the only thing i can wear for walking long distances
pouch - simple for quick in and out stuff and errands
maya - good all-around, adjustable, i use it a lot out of the house when i might need a blanket, coverup, etc...it has so many uses

i don't have more than one of any single carrier, but i could guess that you could have one for the house and one for the diaper bag for when you're out???

by the way, i've made all of my carriers besides the maya and they've been *extremely* economical. :thumb

[IncaMama]

YEAH! what she said. :)

[RainRaven]

I found a great deal on mei tai carriers on this web site http://www.jenncatsmeow.com/ you can get a carrier diper bag changing pad and toy for under $50. fabric chocies are great. check out pacage deals on dipers too.

[leahida]

nak

my uncoordinated self just figured out how to do the front carry w/ the mei tai i bought when i was 8 months pg lol :bouncy it's a babyhawk XT and I love it! this is the fabric I got:
http://www.babyhawk.com/itemdetail.cfm?id=259 it's so much easier on my upper back than the KKAFP.

i heard the kozy is the best MT but IMO the available fabrics are not so appealing. maybe i'll get a custom kozy LOL!

now i can see how the addiction starts...at least i'm supporting WAHM moms, right? :o

[IncaMama]

oh jeez, leah...i could spend MONTHS deciding between those babyhawk fabrics!!! they're all so gorgeous!!!

[leahida]

yep... it was an agonizing decision.

and, last night while sami was marathon nursing, i found an awesome site for fabrics for my custom kozy... mwahahaha :mischief

www.reprodepot.com

it has some of the same fabrics offered on the BH website.

i think i am going to get this one, but wonder if the skulls might scare sami when he is a toddler. i have no idea what would be scary to a toddler. i figure he'll be *in* it and not really looking at it, so no biggie, right? what do you guys think?

http://www.reprodepot.com/bdnb.html

[birthjunkie27]

I love the BH fabric choices!

The skulls are awesome, but they *might* be intimidating to a small child. :lol

[spiralmg]

podaegi - housework and this is the only thing carter ever would fall asleep in
:thumb

i was going to ask where you got your podaegi - but instead will ask: where did you get the pattern?

the carrier that is turning out to be the magic one is the mei tai i made for ds but never used.

[leahida]

I love the BH fabric choices!

The skulls are awesome, but they *might* be intimidating to a small child. :lol

yeah, I thought so... wouldn't want to traumatize the poor kid lol... and turns out the fabric is too lightweight anyhow :(

[mariposita]

i was going to ask where you got your podaegi - but instead will ask: where did you get the pattern?

well...interesting story actually...mil is korean and after seeing the podaegi in the babywearing article in mothering years ago i started to do searches on the internet looking to buy one. this was before anyone sold them online and the only place that had them was a korean adoption website that had really ugly hot pink and fluorescent green ones and they were really expensive.

so my mil and i made one from scratch one day totally winging it. it was beautiful and still the one i use the most. anyhow, i started wearing it around and people asked me where i got it and told me that i should start selling them. so i started the very first wahm business that sold them called "on mama's back". it grew so fast i started wholesaling too. i couldn't keep up so i told one of the women buying wholesale she could just take over. so she did and is still selling it at her website: Peppermint.com (http://store.peppermint.com/podegi-baby-carrier.html) she's also the same person who creates ellaroo slings, so she's very reputable. check out the following instructions link under the "traditional back carry" to see ds#1 and i and that original podaegi i made. me and ds (http://www.peppermint.com/podegiinstructions.htm) :thumb

oh, and i should point out, i have nothing to do with this business now, i didn't even sell it to her, just told her she could take over...i just wanted to share my story. :)

there are tons of places that sell them now. but i was the first! lol :lol check out the babywearing forum for more places (sorry, can't do searches right now - too busy) - they're all pretty good. i know that reverend jan has a free pattern on her website, but i heard her numbers were off. i honestly can't remember the dimensions myself (too long ago) but could explain the process quite well if you wanted. it's not too hard to make yourself. plus, you get to choose your own fabric!

so that's the very long answer to your simple question. :lol

[spiralmg]

Andrea, I can't believe you are the podaegi woman!! You're one of my personal babywearing celebrities - I used to go to your site all the time and look at your instructions, pics etc. When I made my Mei Tai, I used Rev Jan's instructions...it started out as a podaegi, but i think I screwed something up so I turned it into the Mei Tai instead. I made my own version using wool and lined it with fleece...

Anyway just last week I went to the Peppermint site and saw "your" pics there and figured that Vesta had bought you out. And ever since I was having this depressing little dialog in my head about how the babywearing "industry" was getting all consolidated heading toward corporate-dom and big operations were going to buy out little wahms etc. etc. etc. :lol

I'm so glad to hear the real story!

--

And, we just ate at our favorite Korean restaurant tonight.

[mariposita]

omg linda, that is freakin hilarious! nope, vesta totally rocks. she's MY babywearing celebrity! my business just got way too big to take care of an extremely high needs child and remain sane. wish i could've stayed in though. it was definnitely profitable!

but that's nice to know at least someone remembers me!

[aisraeltax]

i bought a mail tai from a mama at the TP here...so we will see how it goes.

[IncaMama]

ooooh rachel, you're getting the bug BAD now! LOL!!!

[kris10s]

I think I am going to bite the bullet and get one too, if I can raise the paypal! I made a GORGEOUS Amy Butler fully reversible one (straps matched print and reversed as well) and dd1 HATED it so I sold it to help fund an Ergo, which I am glad we have for hiking/toddlers, though neither of us has worn dd1 in it since dd2 was born.

DD2 is reflux-y and MUST be worn completely upright and she doesn't like having her head covered, so the Moby is only really working for us sitting down, so I'll probably sell that to help fund a pretty MT. I am way too behind on sewing to try to make another one myself...

[judybean]

Just had to throw in... after I posted earlier on this thread, I went upstairs and busted out my mei tai and am loving it!!

In fact, Lucy is in the front carry, sleeping in it RIGHT NOW :)

For carriers I don't have as many as I did... but I have:

-- a mama-made ring sling I got via the TP here (but I *will* make my own -- as soon as I get the time!) .. it's a nice, classy black one

-- the mei tai I'm wearing now that is the good'n'plenty pattern on one side, then black on the other (so it's reversable) with black straps)

-- a crinkly gauze cotton wrap made with material I purchased via Dharma Trading ... I haven't dyed it up yet becuase I'm chicken, so right now it's just white

hm... I might have one more ring sling too ... gosh, I know there are more (or at least there used to be more!) but can't recall now.

I love baby carriers ... so did Katherine and so does Lucy!

[IncaMama]

oh god. now i have to have a mei tai. must....purchase....mei tai....

ava likes to be upright and the hot mama wrap is so cumbersome to carry in the diaper bag and to tie...

omg. i hate you all!!!! :lol

[birthjunkie27]

Ok....here I go. I'm off to buy my Mei Tai. From Babyhawk. I've been putting it off, but I've finally decided to take the plunge. :lol

[leahida]

yay! which fabric are you getting?

[DesireeH]

I just bought myself a present......lol

Jon is gonna kill me. I always want to spend money when there is none to spend! LOL But at least I had some paypal from selling newborn dipes so it seems like I at least got a discount! LOL

I ordered a Baby Hawk Mei Tei sling.....I picked 2 prints so I can flip it around and use the other side. My brother is getting married and I am wearing brown and pink so I got the floral side for the wedding (and the surf side for everyday) on chocolate brown.

http://www.babyhawk.com/itemdetail.cfm?id=332
http://www.babyhawk.com/itemdetail.cfm?id=363

[IncaMama]

yup...me too...i'm deciding btwn fabrics

http://www.babyhawk.com/images/product/detail/b21b.jpg

http://www.babyhawk.com/images/product/detail/b19b.jpg

http://www.babyhawk.com/images/product/detail/nb3b.jpg

http://www.babyhawk.com/images/product/detail/nb7b.jpg

http://www.babyhawk.com/images/product/detail/nb8b.jpg

http://www.babyhawk.com/images/product/detail/nm31b.jpg

http://www.babyhawk.com/images/product/detail/nm44b.jpg

maybe i'll do a custom so i can have two fabrics!

[IncaMama]

oh wow!!! i LOVE them, desiree!!!!!!!

[DesireeH]

oooohhh, cool choices michele! I love #3, 6, 7!

I like the custom option cause its like getting 2 slings for only $10 more! LOL That includes the shipping too!

[IncaMama]

yeah i think i'm gonna do the custom...i have to think about it more though to decide on fabrics. :)

[leahida]

for the Babyhawk, I forgot to mention this-- I recommend that you order it XT (it's free). It is so much more versatile, and better support for your DC's head... if you want it shorter you can always roll the bottom down.

[Sleepymama]

just popping in from the feb '06 DDC...don't have a baby to put in my dozen carriers for another couple of weeks...but I love reprodepot! I sew so I'm always on the lookout for cool fabrics. The addiction is in the different styles. I want to make one with padding, one without, one with angled straps, one with extra wide straps, one with rings...help I'm addicted to sewing baby carriers!!

My question for you all--does anyone have one that has an adjustable lower front pouch part? Like a drawstring that you can cinch to make the pouch smaller? I think babyhawk makes one but I'm having trouble finding a pic of what I mean. It makes the bottom part narrower so you can have a smaller baby's legs hanging out without having to 'frog' them up (DS would have hated that). I'm thinking of making one like that and wondering if anyone found it helped with a newborn??

[birthjunkie27]

Desiree, I'm ordering mine for a wedding too.

Here are the fabrics I chose.

http://www.babyhawk.com/itemdetail.cfm?id=171 The wedding is right around Valentine's day, so this will be perfect!

http://www.babyhawk.com/itemdetail.cfm?id=135 This is my every day choice. Dh wanted me to get skulls, but I thought that might scare the kids. :lol

[kris10s]

Sold the Moby already and I am going to get a Sachi or a Freehand in an Amy Butler fabric --

http://store.attachedtobaby.com/detail.aspx?ID=125&Name=Sachi-Pocket-Mei-Tai
the print in "back view & side view"
or

http://store.attachedtobaby.com/detail.aspx?ID=1&Name=FreeHand-Mei-Tai
"curry"

[kofduke]

just popping in from the feb '06 DDC...don't have a baby to put in my dozen carriers for another couple of weeks...but I love reprodepot! I sew so I'm always on the lookout for cool fabrics. The addiction is in the different styles. I want to make one with padding, one without, one with angled straps, one with extra wide straps, one with rings...help I'm addicted to sewing baby carriers!!

My question for you all--does anyone have one that has an adjustable lower front pouch part? Like a drawstring that you can cinch to make the pouch smaller? I think babyhawk makes one but I'm having trouble finding a pic of what I mean. It makes the bottom part narrower so you can have a smaller baby's legs hanging out without having to 'frog' them up (DS would have hated that). I'm thinking of making one like that and wondering if anyone found it helped with a newborn??

Sleepymama, it's mei tei baby that makes those:

http://www.meitaibaby.com/

[kofduke]

ALso, I think having the 2 fabrics on the babyhawk ups the resale value - then if someone hates one they can just use the other!

[DesireeH]

oooh bethany, those are cool! i love the hearts too!

[Thursday Girl]

so i found an instock mei tai that i like at jenncatsmeow for $29.00 and a solarveil ring sling at some other place for $30.00 and i am thinking of trying to get dh to get me both for my birhtday since they are so affordable!!
i like a lot of the oter mei tais i see but i can't spend that much on one.

oh and thanks for the link to the fabric my dh LOVES mushrooms so i want to buy that fabric for a podegi (andre can you pm me with basic instructions?) and i want to commision a short from a lady i know to make dh a button down shirt. he would shit a brick if i gave that toi him.

courtney

[mariposita]

oh and thanks for the link to the fabric my dh LOVES mushrooms so i want to buy that fabric for a podegi (andre can you pm me with basic instructions?)

sure! i'll send them to you the first chance i get - gotta get to bed now.

[IncaMama]

LOL your dh loves mushrooms? like...the look of them? or eating them? LOL!!!

i really like the idea of the drawstring...maybe i'll get one of those instead....but i don't think i can get that with two different fabrics from them, can i...

[amygoforth]

Sold the Moby already and I am going to get a Sachi or a Freehand in an Amy Butler fabric

What's this Amy Butler fabric about? Amy Butler is my maiden name! Trippy.

[Thursday Girl]

LOL your dh loves mushrooms? like...the look of them? or eating them? LOL!!!
i...
dh likes the look of them, he likes collecting them, he likes eating them. in miami (before i knew him) they called him the mushroom king.

i like flowers though so we have this drawiing i did of a shroom flower dancving. we want to get it tattood.

oh by the way nak

[marisa]

wanted to pop in and say my friend made me a FrankenKozy and it seriously is the best carrier I have ever tried. I've used 'em all. (Mei tai straps are too skinny for me.) She used a pattern she found online - and instead of cotton straps, she used velour and it is so soft, enveloping and comfortable. I can wear it for long periods even though every other carrier hurt my shoulders. http://crafts.sleepingbaby.net/FrankenKozy.htm
So if you sew, try this one, and use velour!!

[spiralmg]

Okay, now I'm getting all fired up to get another carrier too. Not that I needed much encouragement...the wide straps on the Babyhawks look so appealing.

Michelle, I think you NEED a custom. Your color choices are all over the place :lol

[kris10s]

Amy, she designs GORGEOUS fabrics and really cool patterns:
http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/main.php?fl=1

[Thursday Girl]

resubscribing after i accidentally unsubscribed.