How to Use a Mei Tei Carrier
Parents who prefer carrying their babies carriers have a myriad of options to choose from, including the mei tai style. Inspired by the way babies are carried in many parts of Asia, the mei tai carrier is a padded square cloth with four wide straps to securely hold and tie your baby to your body, leaving your hands free. There are a variety of mei tai brands available, with different styles, materials and added features, but all generally recommend three basic carrying styles.
Instructions
Front Carry
Hold the mei tai carrier up against your waist and legs so that the decorative side of the body is touching your legs. Tie the two straps closest to your waist securely around your waist, knotting them closed at the center of your back. They will hold end up being the bottom straps, holding the baby's bottom in place. Pick up your baby and hold him against your chest so that his legs wrap around your waist, just above the straps of the mei tai. Hold your baby's bottom with one hand and reach down to lift the body of the mei tai up over your baby's back, throwing the straps over your shoulders. Cross the straps across your back and bring the ends back around to the front, tying them at the center of your baby's back or under his bottom. You may need a second person to help you with crossing the straps across your back until you get the hang of it. The Back Carry
Hold the mei tai carrier behind you so that the decorative side is against your bottom. Bring the top straps around to the front and tie them together in a knot below your belly button. Pick up your baby and hold him on your hip, then lean over and slide the baby onto your back. This can take practice to do on your own, so you may want to have someone help get the baby securely centered on your back. Keep one hand on your baby while still bent over and reach back with the other hand to grab the dangling straps of the mei tai so that the body goes over your baby's back and the straps go over your shoulders. Again, you may need assistance until you get the hang of it. Cross the straps across your chest and around to the back, tying it at your baby's back or underneath his bottom. Alternatively, you don't have to cross the straps over your chest. Just pull them down over your shoulders and under your arms so the mei tai is holding your baby firmly against your back. Tie the straps underneath his bottom. The Hip Carry
Tie the mei tai around your waist so that the decorative side is resting against one of your hips, with the straps tied in a knot on the other hip. Pick the baby up and hold him so that his legs are straddling your hip. Lift the back panel over your baby's back and pull the front strap across your chest and over your opposite shoulder so it falls down your back. One hand should be securely holding the baby on your hip. If you want your baby's arms to be free, make sure you pull the strap underneath his armpit before pulling it across your chest and shoulder. Grab the other strap and pull it behind you -- underneath baby's other armpit if you prefer -- going across the middle of your back. Bring it back around to the front. Reach around for the other strap still dangling down your back and pull it across your back towards your baby sitting on your hip. Tie the back and front straps together under your baby's bottom or at the center of his back.
