mei tai, revisited

How about a little flashback today? A revisit to the Mei Tai I made - originally posted two years ago - before Adelaide was born (my boys look sooo little!). I did use the mei tai quite a bit when she was first born - it was super snuggly to hold her right to my chest in (I'm getting teary just thinking about it now - I can still smell that newborn hair. Two years, really?). Somewhere along the way, I fell back into my old comfort standby slings - the New Native Carrier, and well, the Maya Wrap, and then the Moby Wrap (did you know I'm a bit of a sling junkie? I am) - while the Mei Tai sat in waiting. This summer it's seen a bit of a resurgence as my little babe has discovered both her love for the rabbits on the fabric as much as her love for the back carry that this one is so good for.

The carrier has held up surprisingly well for the two years it's been in semi-frequent use, particularly considering there was no pattern but a lot of guesswork involved in making it.  Meg of Montessori by Hand now has a Mei Tai pattern available, which would have made making one much easier - I seem to remember some serious brain stretching in figuring out how to put it together.

She loves being in this - "Back! Sling!" she demands, and who can resist, really? It's such a convenient way to carry her - with arms free to carry all the other things I need to carry (um, a lot), I've been schlepping her to the beach in this, or going for walks with it, picking berries, or just getting things done around the house while she snuggles in, and sometimes falls asleep. Her new preference for the back-carry has led to this book being read daily once again - A Ride on Mother's Back - one I can nearly read from memory now, -it's been such a family favorite since Calvin was a little sling baby himself.

Papa carries her in this one too - and truth be told, it's her preferred napping place. On Papa's back - It's a pretty good spot right there. As she gets older, her time in the sling is less and less, so I'm grateful and try to savor all the little moments she asks for a sling snuggle. They're some of my favorite Mama moments.

Comments

[Eren]

Perfect...My youngest still requests "back pack" too and I have been thinking of making another sling/wrap (whatever). Thanks for the link to the pattern. I'll definitely be checking it out.

[karin]

thanks for this link! my girl is 1.5 yrs and loves to be carried and I love to carry her but also have my hands free at times. I've been thinking about an appropriate carrier for her age. will try the montessori.by.hand pattern out. great!!

[Grace]

Oh my gosh, way too sweet. I'd given up on wearing my babe because I started having some serious back problems when he was about 9 months old, and my one shoulder slings (I have a pouch & a ring sling as well) were making it worse. I got a Moby when I was pregnant with him, and it was super comfortable, but as he got bigger I felt like it was too stretchy, although as I type this, I'm thinking I should probably try it again just to be sure.
But now I think maybe I should just make myself a mei tai! I've been tossing the idea around in my head for a long time (probably almost a year, lol), but seeing this post has newly inspired me. Thanks!

[Stefani]

Well I can't say I blame her. If I could convince someone to tote me around in a gorgeous little pack, I would too! We're just going to pretend that she doesn't look a little bigger in every photo that you post. Shall we?

[Libby]

I honestly don't know how I would get through life without my backpack. I use a Beco carrier. It has allowed me to go and do so many things that I wouldn't have been able to do without carrying my babe. I am all for babywearing (I think that the babies are too!)

[Tara]

Oh my gosh! The tattoo on your back . . . what is it? It looks very much like a tree of life pendent I have on a necklace (made by a Maine artisan) that I hope will one day become a tattoo. Seeing yours is inspiring me . . . much like everything else on your lovely blog! And I love your mei tai - my own little one is addicted to the Ergo, and literally starts dancing when I hoist him onto my back!
BTW, I'm a fairly new reader and just love your site. I look forward to "visiting" you every morning. You do wonderful work!

[Bluebirdbaby]

I have a Babyhawk and made two other mei tais and I loved them for when my daughter was little. I find that the back carry is so hard to get on unless I have someone buy to pop her in. How do you manage? I broke down and purchased a used Ergo from my friend. I never liked how ugly and bulky they were, but boy...they are comfortable and so easy to use. Great for long walks or picking blueberries!

[Bluebirdbaby]

Oh, and I just noticed that you have "The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics" on your reading list. Did you know Jessica used to live right in Portland near the East End? When I visited her last summer she was getting ready to move to California, but I'm not sure if she ever actually did. How are you liking the book?

[Sarah]

Sniff. My beloved sling is packed in the attic with my most precious baby stuff.

[Peggy]

I have an Ergo (among others) and cannot imagine life without it. My 14 month old babe spends many an hour on my back (as does my 3 year old and occasionally my 5 year old). I too am a sling junkie. Such a sweet way to bring babies around in the world.

[Andrea Heinz]

awww, slings I love them. I have a pouch style one like the one you used for Calvin. I am going to attempt making one for my new baby due in November out of some cotton african kangas. they have great patterns on them.

[SOULEMAMA]

Bluebirdbaby - for putting her on my back, I first wrap and tie the bottom strings around my waist, then I bend down and she scoots onto my back, while I pull the wrap up around her and tie it in the front. Does that make sense? I wonder if it would be trickier with a younger child - there's a split second or so where she's holding onto my back. A younger one might not be able to do that. I just searched and found this, which is pretty much how I do it:
http://www.kozycarrier.homestead.com/instructions.html#anchor_243

[SOULEMAMA]

Tara - yes, it is a tree of life! I drew it, and had the tattoo artist help me smooth it all out just right for a tattoo.

I think I know just the tree-of-life artisan you're talking about - I have the same pendant!

[jean]

what a wonderful nappy place. I'm sure the deep resonance of his voice from his chest to hers must be hypnotic. One of the gifts of growing up in a small house is the memory of hearing my father's voice through the floor as I fell asleep. Ooo, that makes me miss him today. Well, you're creating memories for Adelaide to feast on later.

[heather]

i cannot believe she is almost two, she has great taste in shoes however - last photo shoes rock! this post brings back a lot of sweet memories.

[CharityGrace]

I used a Maya for my last 2, but I found it was really hard on my back, so I gave it to a friend I hoped could use it. My Snugli always worked well, so next time around I hope to get an Ergo. I've heard nothing but good stuff about them, and I especially like the idea of being able to carry around an older babe. Love the pics of your wee one in her sling.

[Tee tee]

I am also addicted to baby carriers. I had a snuggli with my first one but have moved on to wraps(home made then a maya wrap) and now my favourite a fleece pouch-which I made from a pattern at wearyourbaby.com. I love it and little Eva rides around in it everywhere. Sometimes even my two-yr-old takes a turn when he's feeling like he needs some extra snuggles. I know one day(a long time from now!) I'll unwrap that well worn sling and hold it to my nose, smell that baby smell and remember all those times when we couldn't get any closer! A homemade Mei Tai for baby number 3? Perhaps, perhaps!!

[annette]

Heh heh, gotta watch out for that wistfulness-for-newborn-size-and-smell or #4 will be on the way before you have time to consider!

[Jenna]

I loved that post. I am now about to embark on more sling days and have been looking for a great pattern for a Mei Tai, perfect timing, thank you. Hope all is well and your enjoying the last bits of summer in Maine, oh how I miss it!!! Especially those beautiful CE beaches.
Take care!

[Qalballah]

Thanks for the link to the Kozy Carrier. It is a link I loved and lost. Slings oh my son is so heavy. You have inspired me to make a sling for the back - it looks so comfy - is Lady A heavy??

[Lisa Clarke]

Oh, how I wish my little ones were still little enough for a sling! If only I'd known how to sew when they were babies, I think we'd have spent a lot more time like that. Our Baby Bjorn carrier saw a lot of mileage, but there's something special about a carrier you have crafted yourself, I think.

[Robyn]

Thank you for sharing this. I saw Meg's pattern and wondered about buying it, but I wasn't sure if my daughter was going to be too big for this type of carrier. But I think my daughter is just a couple of months younger than your's and so I think I'll give it a try. One question, my daughter is more of a side carrying baby. Does the mei tai wear on the side? Your mei tai is so beautiful, by the way.

[Toni]

Precious. Oh, the days of childhood are all to fleeting. Knowing that the sling will one day not be used anymore reminds me of how I felt after each child was born. Thankful of course that they were finally here in the world, but also missing them being inside me. They would never again be "so" close to me.

[mouse]

My son was a "sling baby" as well (6 years ago.. wow.) and seeing your photos just made me all gushy and sentimental as well. My son was in a MayaWrap until he became too heavy, and that wrap is one of the few things I kept to remind me of his baby years.

[Ashley]

I fancy myself a sling addict, too! I made a mei tai many moons ago as well, just guessing as I went along not entirely sure it was even going to fit in the end. We use the ring sling almost everyday now but you've definately inspired me to give the mei tai another try.

[deerdominique]

Babywearing is the best, there wouldn't be nap time with out baby in a sling or pack. We use the ergo for back carry, but I find myself most often with the New Native carrier when we are out and about, I'm thinking a Mei Tei is in order for a less bulky out and about option. Thanks for the link!

[cyndi]

aaahhh! so pretty! i must confess i too love putting my big 14 kilo almost 2 year old in the sling so we can snuggle.....like old times.

[Monica]

Hi! :)

I read all the time, but hardly ever comment. My boys are 4 & 6...and i distinctly remember the last time I wore my littlest.

We had gone to a local garden theme park (with circus trees! amazing..) and I took the pouch with me just in case. he hadn't been in it for months. by the end of the day he wanted to be held, so i stuck him in the pouch and he fell asleep less than 2 minutes later. legs dangling down to my knees, huge head pressed against my chest and 3 year old drool all over my breast.

it makes me cry just thinking of it. the 2 things i miss the most are nursing & slinging.

and nothing's sexier than a papa who slings. :)

thank you for sharing your beautiful life with us all.

**Monica

[tamara]

OH the last little bit of your post where you said "As she gets older, her time in the sling is less and less..." has me crying. My last "baby" came in a pair of twins and slinging them was such a short season before they were just too heavy to do together. We kept slinging as best we could individually, and for the times when one would let me sling the other I savored it.

I wish I had the Moby wrap, that looks delightful.

[molly]

I was thinking the other what the baby things are that I can't live without--on my list of three, my baby pouch is definitely number one. I love it that elizabeth is young enough to be completely content snugged against my chest.
Today, I will remember to cherish that just a little more.
thanks, amanda.

[Katherine]

I wish I had a sling when my boys were babes. I did use a snugli carrier but these days there's so many slings to choose from - no wonder you're a "sling junkie" ;o)
Enjoy the time with your young ones as much as possible because they really do grow up so fast.

[amy]

when i first discovered your blog, i remember reading all your old entries (oh yeah - all of them!) and being so impressed with this carrier... love it!

[kendra]

I recently made a mei tai carrier myself for my 10 month old. He loves it. It's not quite as comfortable as my wrap, but so much easier to put on and much more stylish (with the cool fabric I used). Yours is beautiful!

[MiraclesHappen]

I did a lot of contemplating which sling to get here: http://archaicinspirations.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/whos-up-for-a-little-baby-slingin/
My favorites tended to be those handmade by someone on etsy.

My baby girl loves to be held on the hip but only tolerates the ring sling for so long. I wish I knew what was "so uncomfortable". We have a front sling that functions like the mei tai. Now that she is seven months, I should try her on my back to see if she's into that. Yours is quite lovely - much more so than my $3 Goodwill find. Then again, that one isn't quite a mei tai.

[amy h]

Thanks for all the links! I'll be testing out a Hotsling when my second baby arrives in about a month. It's good to have other recommendations in case this sling doesn't work out! (or in case I get addicted to slings)

[SOULEMAMA]

Qalballah - she's heavy, but I think that's why I like the back carry the best. It seems easier on my body at this weight/size/age of hers.

Robyn - the Mei Tai does wear on the side! I always preferred the ease of the pouch-style slings for the side carry - out of habit more than anything. But she's strictly a back-carry girl now. She insists. ;)

[anna]

Gotta love the carriers! I have a whole collection myself!
I bet A would like a mini mei tai for her dolls!

[Julie]

Beautiful... I love your mei tai and Adelaide looks so comfy in it!

[Laurie L.]

Oh, my, thanks for sharing and bringing my own memories very similar to yours about my own child (now an adult and fresh out of law school). I loved those times.

[Monika]

My "big" boy turned 3 at the end of May and we couldn't do much sling time anymore as I had pain in my standard-baby-wearing-shoulder. I now recommend to all my slinger-momma's to keep switching shoulders. Then in June when I looked through the Mothering Magazine I noticed a couple adds for the Beco Baby Carrier. It states that one can easily carry up to 55 lbs and although my hubby didn't think it would be worth the cost (they are not cheap), I went ahead and ordered one. Not only are their fabrics the coolest, they are also super comfortable. Huxley now weighs about 34 lbs and I carry him around again. We do make quite a sight, but I think it works wonders when I want to get things done fast and also when I want to know exactly where he is. I prefer it to the stroller on most days and I'm even known to have him in the Beco while I push and empty stroller, or one loaded up with goodies. If given an option of "riding on mammies back or walking"... guess what wins. The weight distribution of the Beco makes him perfectly balanced over my own centre of gravity and I hardly feel his weight. We take him hiking in in, grocery shopping, for walks, to festivals, etc. Sometimes around dinner time when he comes home from his few days at daycare he needs some closeness and since I'm buy with cooking I just have him hop on and within a few minutes he is totally calm and relaxed.... Thanks Amanda for sharing and letting me share mine... happy "turtle-mami and Turtle-baby" days!

[Mary Beth]

Great post. I so love baby carriers and have been planning a post about them too! Loved the Moby Wrap when he was a tiny newborn. Now it's between the Ergo and the Hotsling, depending on the occasion. I love the idea of crafting one though. Yours is lovely.

[Amy Webb]

Hi! My little one loves his mei tai, too. We recently got a really cool one that is mostly solarveil. Before, we used a corduroy one, but sweated profusely in this heat. I though people might be interested in these links for free mei tai patterns from Jan at Sleeping Baby Productions (who makes lovely ring slings):

www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/index.html

[amy]

Love it! Yr kids are beautiful! I adore slinging the babes too :)

[Julie]

Loved reading this post as well as people's comments. I better not follow too many link suggestions for additional baby carriers or I may end up with *another* for baby #3 on the way. I have enough! My favorite, hands down, is my Ergo. I use it every day with my 17 month old on my back. She loves it. And my 3 year old is always asking to get in it as well. It's comfortable for either one of them to ride and for me to carry. Highly recommended!

[Saille]

A fellow sling junkie! I loved my OTSBHs, but my favorite by far was my Sidecar.

[tamara]

Yay for being a sling junkie!
We have a collection of them at our house; for my oldest, I had a Hug-a-bub for when she was very small, and then a ring sling for until she didn't want to be in one anymore (now 4yrs and v. independent). This time around, for my son I went all out and bought an Ergo. We love it! Bulkiness aside, it distributes the weight so well that it feels like a top-of-the-line backpack. Neither the ring sling or the Snugli that someone gifted us with get a look in, really.

...and so nice to see that dadda's back is the safest place to nap on your side of the world, too. ;)

[melody]

I've been checking out that Mei Tai pattern over at Montessori by Hand ever since she posted the patterns. I'm trying to justify it by thinking it would be a great gift for showers. At this point, I'm only occasionally pulling out my well used Maya Wrap as a backpack for my youngest (a 5 year old) but I wish I would have known about Mei Tais when my oldest was a baby, she HATED slings with a capital "H" and I finally had to purchased a baby bjorn carrier for her. I have a feeling she would have liked the Mei Tai even better. LOVE the fabric on yours, is it vintage or new?

[Zelia]

HA! I adore slings/wraps... i actuallt should make a mei tai, never saw one in "person" but must make one, since i am a NINO leader here in Portugal!

[katharine]

I followed your link to Meg and had myself a new mei tai an hour or so later. Thanks for the tip. It was great for my sleepy two year old yesterday and a great counter balance to the new belly that's creeping out in front these days. As I say, if one's getting too big to sling, time to have another.

[laura]

Such a coincidence! after a year and a half of slings and wraps, I made my first mei tai this week - and my babe says nearly the same thing, "ride? back?". I really like montessori by hand, but another nice site is the babywearer.com, their forums are full of beautiful carriers handmade by moms (and some dads).