May 16, 2007

Update on Using my Mei Tai

Before Tyler was born, I posted about my new BabyHawk mei tai and how I planned to wear Tyler a lot.

Well, things don't always go as planned.

I loved the mei tai because, unlike the Baby Bjorn, it didn't hurt my back.

So of course, Tyler hated it.

For the first four months, every time I put him in he'd scream. I'd be able to keep him to a loud cry by bouncing along until he finally fell asleep. I thought - hoped - that he hated having his legs in the froggy position. I learned through Babycenter's Babywearing board that MeiTaiBaby makes a mei tai with an adjustable crotch. Desperate, since I needed to wear Tyler in order to be able to chase Alex, I ordered one with the snap tab extender for maximum adjustability.

It was better, but not nearly as much as I'd hoped. Tyler didn't scream quite as loudly or cry for as long. But I don't use either mei tai nearly as much as I had planned (and neither was cheap - each was close to $100). They serve their purpose when I do use them, enabling me to stay active with Alex when we're out and about on our own. I think they're a wonderful alternative to a Baby Bjorn and I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants or needs the option of wearing a baby. Plus, mei tais can be used much longer than most other baby carriers.

Both mei tais are easy to wash. I put them in a large mesh bag made for sweaters and wash them in warm water in the washing machine. To preserve their appearance and minimize wrinkling, I don't put them in the dryer. Instead, I hang them in the closet - the body goes on one hanger, and then I drape the long straps on a second hanger. I tug all of the straps flat, which helps keep them flat when I'm using the mei tai.

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