Mei Tai

This is one of the four baby carriers I own (carriers are one of those things, like strollers and diaper bags, that nobody seems to get just right, causing you to go through several before finding one you like or at least tolerate). It's a mei tai, which is a traditional Chinese carrier that is wonderful for its simplicity and comfort. It was made in America by Mei Tai Baby and cost a small fortune to ship, but as mei tais are hard to find here in Japan it was worth it.

I was originally interested in a mei tai because I'd read about how comfortable they are and that they could be used with newborns. I'd been having trouble getting the hang of my sling, and totally hated the Japanese-made hand-me-down carrier we had, and when my mei tai finally arrived when Shuma was about a month old, I fell in love. Daily walks have been the norm ever since, with none of the soreness or worry that Shuma would suffocate/break his neck/fall out I experienced with the other carriers. It is even more comfortable than my Ergo (my other favourite carrier), especially for long distances- it somehow fits perfectly to both of our bodies and doesn't pull on or dig into any one part. And it doesn't cause wobble-head when Shuma falls asleep, at least when worn in front- the straps and positioning keep his head steady (and there is a head rest panel that can be worn just in case).

It's also fairly sleek and when tied in the front carry can be worn under a regular jacket. For my pre-Shuma jackets I leave then unbuttoned/zipped, or just do up the bottom. And when it's really cold I have a coat bought a few sizes too big that can be done all the way up.

The best thing about my mei tai is that it has nifty interchangeable front panels. This dinosaur print is one of six panels that I have, and if you think six is a lot then I suggest you check out the fabrics available- it was very hard to narrow it down. Those rainbow stripes, by the way, are not part of the carrier: they're baby leg warmers, worn on the shoulder straps to protect the mei tai from drool. You can see Shuma taking a chomp on the strap above.

There are a few drawbacks to the mei tai though. One is that the straps are long enough to drag on the floor as you put it on, so if you keep house the way I do (as in, the floor is lucky if it gets swept once a week) then you'll end up with linty, dust bunny-covered straps. The length of the straps also makes it a bit awkward to take Shuma out of the carrier when we're out, especially when we're on public transportation (exactly when he is most likely to want out). So I tend to use the mei tai only for local walks.

Another potential problem is body heat. So far it's been great in that being so close keeps us both warm, but I don't think it will be very nice in the summer. Most carriers have the same problem though. Also not the mei tai's fault: my husband doesn't like it. He admits it's comfortable but claims it's too hard to put on (although my Dad got the hang of it after a few tries) and looks too girly. True, the bow in front shown here is a bit feminine, but there are other, more manly ways to tie it. But I've stopped pestering him to use it, because if I can be picky about carriers, it's only fair that he can too.But if I'd known I'd be the only one using it I would have got it in purple. Sadly the black shows every speck of lint, something I should have anticipated after a couple decades of wearing black clothes.

Finally, it would have been nice if this had a little pocket or two sewn in somewhere, something I love about my sling and my Ergo. Somewhere to keep my keys, a train pass, and a little handkerchief. If I were a better sewer I'd add one myself, but then again if I were that good I could just sew my own mei tai- there are plenty of patterns online. But I'm not sure I'd be able to find all those funky fabrics.

Speaking of which, here's a close-up of the dinosaur panel. In an imaginary world where I had the time and skills to sew, where Shuma had his own room, and where every fabric store carried patterns like this, I'd buy fabric and make curtains for the baby room.

Comments

[lil]

hehe yes! Carriers are one of those things! Moreso in japan too since walking/trains are more often, we got baby bjorn active since it was for newborn too and those other carriers also made me worry about neck/suffocating..so awkward! That pattern looks funky! And love the leg warmer trick for protection from drool! LOL

You look great, and with shuma as your fashion accessory I think anyone can look awesome lol, I can also see why your guy doesn't want to wear the big bow!

[David]

Bodyheat is a problem. I never considered it until I wore a carrier. Even then, it didn't quite register. A ten minute walk later, and I realized how much heat those wee babies give off. Not only that, my wife insisted that we also use a snap-on thermal wrap. Must have been like a sauna for the baby. Of course I'm talking about Canada - I can only imagine how hot and muggy it must get using one in Tokyo.

[takiko]

It is nice baby carry,which I don't know(I use Ergo).
And,your idea about leg warmers is wonderfull!
Baby drools and chomps sholder strap.
I'll try it,thank you.

[lex]

i always thought those were so nice. just the convenience of it. but, alas, i gave birth to giant children. so, having that extra weight on the front of me ended up killing my back.

[Patrick McCormick]

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