Wearing a toddler

Aicha - posted on 08/24/2010

you can make a mei tia carrier here is a link to the pattern and sewing instructions http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/asi...

Jan - posted on 08/12/2010

I'm, totally a mei tai girl, I have 3 and I use them everyday, I wear my 2 month old on my front or back in it and I used to carry my 2 yr old on my back until she got over 20Lbs, then I had to switch to a SSC I know you don't like commercial carriers but for over 20 Lbs the beco butterfly is awesome. I now wear my 25Lb DD on my back in the beco for 2+ hrs a day with no issues and the sleep hood is a must.
If you do go with a MT get one with a sleep hood and wide straps for sure.

Bri - posted on 07/23/2010

Currently have mei tai I use with 30# first child and am 5 months preggy with #2- use front and back. Hubby can use it too. Have carried her for 2-3 hours at a time (her tolerance before independence sets in)... if I'm doing heavier duty hiking or longer, will use a frame backpack.

Am planning to get an Ergo or Beco to try with #2 based on recommendations from some good friends who are into babywearing as well.

Thanks for the link for the pattern- may make another mei tai to send to where my family lives for their use when kids are visiting.

Tricia - posted on 07/10/2010

My Mom did the sewing as a birthday gift for me, and I busted out my new mei tai for the 4th of July. Awesome. It was easy to put on after watching a few youtube videos, even with no practice. I did about an hour with my 27 lb 18 month old in it before my shoulders started to get sore. Highly recommended to other baby wearing mamas.

Michelle - posted on 06/22/2010

i have something called a bubba lugga for my almost one year old and its great.....no back strain for me at all....if he wants to sit up and look around he can and if he wants to sleep just reposition him and he can nod off....sounds similiar to what laura has i think....

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/16/2010

i have a carrier called the hip hamock and it is for babies 15-35lbs! it holds them on your hip just as if your arm was supporting them. it is one buckle on your opposite hip and a long strap that goes over your head and it has a cushion on your opposite shoulder. my son is 27lbs and i love it wiht him. it also is so easy on and off. it wraps up with an elastic band and a buton so it is quite portable. id definately recomend it for those big babies who love to be held!

Dianne - posted on 06/11/2010

I never liked the front or soft carriers due to back problems. We used a Kelty Kiddy Pack. We loved it, using it for all 3 boys and then passed it on. When the seams came unbound, we had it rebound at a shoe repair shop. It holds kids up to 40lbs, with no strain. My boys first words were "back pack"
Whatever you choose, please be careful of your back and knees as they take all the weight.
Enjoy:):)

Ann - posted on 06/10/2010

I love my mei tai that is similar to that pattern. If you haven't made it yet, I strongly suggest adding a layer of fleece or similar material (a little padding) in the shoulder area - it makes it so much more comfortable for me and the straps lay nice and flat which is great for spreading out the weight.

Tricia - posted on 06/02/2010

Quick update! I hit up the Hancock fabrics memorial day sale and bought 2 yards of 60 inch wide heavy-weight cotton/poly blend canvas in a beautiful deep blue for just under $4 total. Here's the pattern I'm going to use: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/asi...
I'll let you all know how it goes.

Amy - posted on 05/23/2010

I love my ergo carrier. I wear my 22lb boy all the time. I can wear him on the front for a nap or on the back. Both are very comfy.

Emily - posted on 05/16/2010

Just make sure you're using heavy-weight fabric for the straps.. like heavy twill or bull denim.. you'll need a few yards.. probably more than $5! I think I spent around $30 on fabric when I had a friend make a mei tai for me.

Tricia - posted on 05/16/2010

Thanks, Emily, that's a big help. I can sew, and there are a lot of patterns out there. So if you're happy with your mei tei experience, that's probably the way for me to go. And with a $5 investment in fabric and a 3 hour investment in time, even if the ABC idea doesn't work out, I'll have the capital to try another idea. :-)

Kelly - posted on 05/15/2010

Just wanted to say I love my Ergo and it was worth every penny.

Emily - posted on 05/14/2010

I've used several different mei tais and love them for front and back carries. The pros are they're fairly easy to learn how to use, and very comfortable. The only con I've found with mei tais is that since the straps are so long, it's sometimes not as convenient to use them in places where the straps may get wet/dirty if they get on the ground. There are a ton of different mei tai makers.. from big companies to small work-at-home mom businesses. How pricey is too pricey? Unfortunately for a good quality carrier you're still going to need to spend some money or you will pay for it with a sore back or shody work. Expect to pay at least $50 for a good carrier. Or you can check thebabywearer.com.. there is a for sale or trade section where you can find used carriers for better prices.

Joy - posted on 05/14/2010

Strechy wraps are not safe for back carries anyway. Woven wraps, mei tais and soft-structured carriers are wonderful though. I have an Ergo that I use all the time.

Tricia - posted on 05/13/2010

I'm not into buying commercial products as they tend to be pricey, so soft structured carriers are mostly a no-go. Can you tell me some pros/cons of your mei tai experiences in a little more detail?

Emily - posted on 05/12/2010

Oh, I can't imagine wearing a stretchy wrap for a back carry! Ouch! I use mei tais and soft-structured carriers. A good mei tai to start out with is a Babyhawk. Pretty easy to learn, and very comfy! Some good soft-structured carriers are Ergo, Action Baby.. there are many others too.