Mei Tai Baby/toddler Carrier

There is a store called Be By Baby in the city that sells different baby carriers as well as teaches classes on different carriers. There is also a free Babywearing group that meets there called Cityslingers who would have so many different carriers to try on. Also I would highly recommend Thebabywearer.com for more help. I myself have a Babyhawk meitai and didnt find the ergo nearly as comfortable, but problem is everyone is different and some find the ergo so comfortable! If you have been using the bjorn without complaints you could probably use anything because that is just about the most uncomfortable carrier that there is. There are other groups in the suburbs too, not sure where you live

I have a Beco Baby. A bit expensive, but it works like a Mei Tai but with a built in system. it folds up really small too.

I love it, and my daughter seems to like it. But like I said, expensive. I just got myself a new wrap. Higher learning curve. but you have way more carrying options. Daughter likes it too --she likes anything where she is being carried.

I have an Ergo Baby Carrier and love it. My son is 2 and we can still put him on our backs. Love it!

Hi A.,

Like other responders, I would whole-heartedly recommend the Ergo baby carrier. Go to Be By Baby (Roscoe & Lincoln) and check it out. It's the best piece of baby gear I own and it's indispensable for traveling!

Best,
R.

Make your own...It's easy... :) Just get a piece of fabric that you like... and some O rings. I loved it for my daughter and was way better than spending the $60+ on one. It might nit have the frills (built in pcokets etc) but it was super comfy, I picked what I wanted fabric wise and always got a million compliments. I actually made some for co-workers too since they liked it so much..and under $10.

I recommend going to Be By Baby in Roscoe Village to try different carriers.

I love my Catbird Baby Mei Tai and I love the Ergo for carrying my daughter for a long time. After wearing the Bjorn, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable these other carriers are.

They are really awsome! I have a girlfriend from la leche league who makes them cheaper then you could ever buy. You can also pick your own colors and fabrics. We still put our 2 year olds in them. Very nice.

hi,
definitely check out bebye baby in chicago. its so helpful to get assistance learning to use the carrier and help selecting the best match for u and ur baby. i have a cat bird baby carrier that is fantastic. my friends sister is the owner. she is in chicago. the are sold at bebye baby.
best of luck finding the right carrier!
L.

I have the Ergo too and I love it. It can carry up to 75 pounds. The heaviest child I have carried on my back is 35 pounds and it felt like nothing. It's very secure for the child and they can sleep. It also folds up very small. I haven't used a Mei Tei but they seem to have a similar structure to the Ergo and you wouldn't have to worry about tying it up. I also recommend Be By Baby. The employees are extremely helpful. Good luck.

I got mine when my dd reached almost 20 lbs at 9 mos. At 11 mos, I would guess your dd is about that weight give or take. As she continued to gain, I really preferred a wrap to the mei tai. For me, I found it better at distributing dd's weight across my shoulders and back. You still have a variety of wraping options that are available to you to tailor the right fit for your body. The mei tai is more limited, though. And, for summer in Chicago, the Maya wrap I had was great. Not too hot at all.

I tried the Maitai and didnt like it - felt my baby wasnt comfortable. Now have an Ergo baby and it is the best. My son is 13 month and it is the best thing for your shoulders and back. When he was smaller tried Moby wrap and slings but now that he is heavier definitely Ergo baby is way to go. It's pretty compact too - like a backpack. and baby can sit in front or on your back.

We decided on an Ergo. I was using a maya wrap, which was great when she was only a few months but did not feel safe later. The MeiTai seems great, but we liked the Ergo for fit.
Try em on with your hubs at BeByBaby on Lincoln and Roscoe--maybe a Moby wrap would work!

I have a mei tai that is black and white...you tie it on and you can use it forward, on your hip, as a backpack-type carrier, etc. (which is why I have it as I have back pain from time to time). I would say it's just ok. I find it starts to slip after a while and my daughter started out on my hip but ended up on my thigh! I'd be interested to see what other people like instead...I don't know if I'd have bought it again.

I suggest going to http://www.thebabywearer.com and reading about the different carriers, pros & cons to the various types, and reviews of specific brands/models. This way you can see what types of carriers are best for your situation & needs.

Oh, and once you start getting carriers, it's quite possible for it to become an obsession. :) [I have 2 ring slings, 1 onbuhimo, 1 Mei Tai, and a DIY Mei Tai, and now I'm thinking about getting a wrap...I know plenty of people who have at least a dozen or more, so I'm not there yet! :)]