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Mei Tais

 

Mei Tais are essentially a piece of rectangular fabric (called the body) with four straps that you tie securely.  Body shapes and sizes differ by brand as do the type of strap.  The BabyHawk and Catbird straps are padded, while the Maya Tie straps are a wider, unpadded fabric.  These carriers can be used from the infant stage until the child no longer wants to be held.  The top straps go over both shoulders, distributing the weight evenly.  The mei tai is an extremely comfortable carrier, and allows your child to securely ride in front or in back making this a very affordable and versatile type of carrier.

 

              

           BabyHawk                    CatBird Baby BE             Catbird Baby                     Maya Ties

 

How to Wear your Mei Tai Comfortably! Find out how you tie and why it makes a difference.

 

Why a Mei Tai?

You might choose a mei tai if you want one carrier from infancy to toddlerhood.   Because the straps go over both shoulders, weight is always nicely distributed.   Mie Tai's allow the flexibility of all four basic positions - front facing in, back carry, hip carry, and front facing out.  Tying allows for a secure fit each and every time.   They are easily adjustable as well.

 

What are Mom's saying?

I love that it distributes the weight over both shoulders evenly and is less cumbersome than a long wrap. I can fold it down and retie the straps around my waist to get it easily and quickly out of the way without taking up room in my bag.  I love that it can do front and back carries just as easily one as the other. I love that when we are out for the morning or afternoon. I can hang my water bottle and my wet bag from the waist strap and get away with no diaper bag if I want to.  - Sara C.

 

Can hold larger children easily and comfortably. - Veronica H.

 

What are the differences in the Mei Tai's?

These are my observed differences between the BabyHawk, Catbird and Maya Tie.  Please come try them on for yourself!

 

The BabyHawk is the cure for the common carrier!   With so many strap color choices and fabric choices, these carriers are truly unique!  The Babyhawk has the shortest body (about 2" shorter than the Catbird) of those we carry making it an excellent choice for short torso parents.  The straps have a narrow angle, making it an excellent fit for narrow shoulders.   The Babyhawk features a reinforced headrest that can be flipped down, but provides great support for infant heads.  The body is a little narrower than the Catbird.  The bottom straps come straight out, allowing you to wear it apron or non-apron.

 

The Catbird is also an awesome mei tai with many clever features.  It is made from a more brushed cotton, making it softer initially.  The body is a rectangle, with straight edges.  The bottom straps come out from the side, letting you tie it in an apron style, or non-apron style way.  Extra features include a sleep hood for when your baby and toddler fall asleep and need more neck support - it ties to the shoulder straps.  It also features and elastic band near the bottom that is to be used to scrunch up the fabric for a forward facing baby, or a younger baby who really wants to have his legs out.  Though you can scrunch up any of the mei tai's, the elastic makes it that much simpler to use.  This mei tai comes in many delightful patterns.

 

The Babywearing Essentials Mei Tai is the beloved Catbird Mei Tai without the frills for a lower price point buy!   Same comfort.  Leg cincher is still a part of the design, but there is no hood.   This is a great product for those who are trying out the Mei Tai for the first time, or would like to have a quality Mei tai without spending a lot.

 

The Maya Tie has the largest body of all those we carry both in height and width.  The top is rounded allowing the baby's head to rest on it, and can be flipped down if desired.  The body is a bit stiffer and it has a pocket on the outside.  The material is a woven cotton, the same as the Maya Wrap ring slings.  The straps are entirely different.  The straps again come out at an angle, but they feel more like a 'wrap' instead of a padded strap.  The fabric is to be spread out on the shoulder.  The straps are longer than most, allowing for some of the different ways to tie a child on.  The straps come out at a wider angle, fitting broad shoulders better.  This mei tai comes in many of the same fabrics as the well loved Maya Wraps.  

 

Brand Bottom Straps Top Straps Body Type Features? Fabric
BabyHawk Straight Padded, narrow straps at a narrow angle Straight with headrest/ Shortest Body Headrest Cotton with stylish patterns
Catbird Baby BE Straight Padded, narrowest angle Straight with small headrest Elastic leg cincher Brushed Cotton
Catbird Baby Straight Padded, narrowest angle Straight Hood and elastic leg cincher Brushed Cotton/ designer fabrics
Maya Tie Angled Unpadded, wears like a wrap Curved/ tallest body Stiff, pocket on back Woven Cotton

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