BabyHawk Mei Tai Review
This post is part of “All About Babywearing Month” on Dirty Diaper Laundry. Babywearing Month is being extended into November because of the last minute additions!
A carrier I never though to try was a Mei Tai. I didn’t see what it could offer me since I already owned a Soft Structure carrier. Plus, I was worried that the tying of straps would be more trouble than it was worth. Mei Tai’s (pronounced May Tie), are asian inspired carriers. They are basically a long rectangular piece of fabric with straps attached to each corner. The simplicity is one reason that Mei Tai’s are popular WAHM items, and DIY carriers. There are tons of sewing patterns online if you search for them! I know that on Nathan’s Fight there is a great DIY Mei Tai.
I decided I wanted to try one after seeing them in person. I was fortunate enough to see the collection from BabyHawk. The fabrics are to die for! There are so many styles and colors to choose from, it is almost dizzying. I decided to buy one mainly because I loved the patterns, but also because I couldn’t call myself a babywearing “expert” if I hadn’t tried a Mei Tai.
I had an insanely hard choice when it came to picking the patterns. There were some gorgeous ones in greens and oranges, but, when I asked opinions, the funky sugar skulls won out.
My first impression after trying it on was, “What have I gotten myself into?” The straps are looong and they were dragging the ground. I couldn’t even tie it myself, I had to enlist the help of my hubby. I narrated what I thought should happen and he complied. The fit was tight since he tied it, and we proceeded to walk around the mall pretty comfortably.
Every time after that I still had my husband tie it, I didn’t even try. I knew at some point I had to, but it was much easier for him to do it. One weekend we went to the Apple Festival in Ithaca. My husband tied it on me but it was too loose. The baby was in a great position to nurse, which he did, but then he was leaned back. It was so uncomfortable. This was a lesson to always make sure my carriers are correctly tightened and adjusted.
The first time I attempted to tie it on myself was when I was stranded. I usually have 2 carriers in my car, 2 different types. Somehow I only had one, the BabyHawk. I had to go a good distance and didn’t want to take a stroller, and couldn’t carry the baby and my bags. Deep breath. You can tie this yourself. I tied it around my waist nice and tight with a secure knot, then put Fletcher into the tummy to tummy position. Pulled my straps over my shoulders and around my back, back to the front, over his rear and under legs, then back around. Knotted and done. It worked!
After that day I have been using it with no trouble. You have ti find a way to put the straps around your back while holding the baby safely. I was so afraid of dropping him that I put it off. If I had thought about it, I should have practiced with a teddy bear to get the hang of it.
Mei Tai’s are nice because they have the same structure as a SSC but since you tie it, there are variations on the support you can get. You can tie under the baby for when they are heavier and older, or behind their backs for younger babies. The BabyHawk has a very high back, great for toddlers or infants who need head support. For infants you can tie it really tightly. If babies are in the middle and need some freedom of movement, the lined stitched across makes it easy to fold the top portion down and give them some space.
My son prefers having his hands out and the top folded down. It is about to his neck right now.
The BabyHawk isn’t my most comfortable carrier. But it isn’t uncomfortable. There is a generous waist belt and the shoulders are padded. You have to be really sure to get it properly adjusted, otherwise you might end up judging the carrier as being uncomfortable when it is just incorrectly adjusted. I like wider shoulder straps, and I am also a big fan of the chest clip on SSC’s.
BabyHawk has fantastic step by step photos and also videos on how to to a lot of different carries! I love video tutorials, and still use them when I am trying a new carry or carrier.
Announcing: Fluffy Christmas on DDL
Those of you who are following me on Twitter probably already know what is up my sleeve for the Holidays. But for the rest of you, I want to let you know about the exciting project I have been working on.
A Very Fluffy Christmas on Dirty Diaper Laundry!
What is a, “Fluffy Christmas?” Well, if you live where I do that just means a few feet of snow! But on DDL I have been frantically emailing dozens of cloth diaper companies for information about their production (for another big project, a list of diaper companies that manufacture in the US or Canada), and I have asked each company contacted if they would be willing to donate a diaper (or more) to help a family begin using cloth diapers who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
The response has been tremendous. Nearly every company I have asked has donated so far. Most are giving one diaper, but some companies are going above and beyond! Tiny Tush has donated 12 of their One Size Elite, and Bummis has sent their iParenting award winning Organic Cloth Diapering Kit. Just between these two companies that have donated enough to get 2 families started on their cloth diapering journey. I get warm and fuzzy and teary eyed just thinking about it. But there are plenty more companies who are donating. Thirsties will be sending their brand new Duo Diaper, which isn’t out yet. The diaper comes in two sizes, one will fit babies 0-9 months, and the second 9 months to potty learning. It is a two piece system and uses hemp that is knit right here in the US! If you want to learn more about this diaper you can view details com thirsties.com. Other companies donating diapers include, Snap-EZ, AMP, Happy Heineys, Bella Bottoms, Jamtots, and Bagshot Row Bamboo. There will be plenty more. I still have more emails to send out as well.
I am extremely grateful to the companies who are making this dream a reality. When I started this project I didn’t know if even one company would want to participate. The wonderful Marissa from Growing Green Bums will also be helping me cover shipping costs of the baskets!
To choose the families I have decided to use 2 methods. One family will be chosen with the help of Miracle Diapers. This organization does what I am doing, but way better, and they help tons more than I ever could. I urge you to visit their website and consider making a donation to help them keep their operation running. I will getting help from them to choose a family from their list of families.
I have also decided since I have enough dipaers to at least make two baskets, but probably more, that I will be taking nominations. Miracle Diapers has a waiting list, and not every family in need is on it. I will let you know when the entry form for nominations will be up. I am going to enlist a few diaper gurus to help me decide, so be assured I am not the only person making this decision. And the family chosen will meet certain criteria. I haven’t decided if the nominations will be coming from other people or if you can nominate your own family. There are still some things to consider.
I hope you are all as excited about this project as I am. I can’t wait for Christmas already!
If you are a company who hasn’t been contacted yet about the project and you wish to donate, please email me at kdrosasatgmaildotcom I will also be needing accesories for the basket, like wetbags, detergent, snappis, etc.
Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing in the Fall
Psst… Win one of these here.
More at Wordless Wednesday.com
Cloth Diaper Carnival Four. Where did you learn about Cloth Diapers?
This post is part of the Cloth Diapering Bloggers and Dirty Diaper Laundry hosted Cloth Diaper Carnival that is held every month. Many bloggers get together and write about the same topic. This month is “Where did you first hear about/ see cloth diapers?”
July 20, 2008. I have an entry in my pregnancy journal titled “Cloth Diapers.” I was 21 Weeks pregnant, and I was already stoked about cloth diapering. Lame? Maybe…. I had already been researching for a few weeks at that point. I know that I first saw cloth diapers online. I don’t recall which, but it was on a pregnancy forum I was sort of stalking. I never participated, but I checked the different forums. There may have been a board dedicated to cloth diapers on it, or someone mentioned them. I was pregnant and had the memory of an ant.
When I saw them the idea immediately clicked in my head. While I never considered that there was an alternative, I never even thought about diapers. Looking back, I find that odd. I never considered the disposable ones, or diaper genies, or throwing trash bags of garbage away. The moment I saw that there were modern cloth diapers I began frantically researching.
I googled price comparisons, brands, types, how to wash, what to do with the poop. Everything. I also joined a cloth diapering forum on Justmommies.com and started picking the brains of women there. I later joined Diaperswappers to buy used diapers and save money, but that was much later in my pregnancy. I wanted ammo when I broached the subject with my husband. I knew this was going to be one hell of a conversation.
“Honey… I want to use cloth diapers. And wash them. But don’t worry, I am breastfeeding and the poop goes in the washer, so you don’t have to dump it out. And it will save us a lot of money.”
“You want to put what in the washer? Poop!?”
I know my husband never gave diapers much thought while I was pregnant either, and he had never changed one in his entire life. That was my leverage. He didn’t know the difference! I researched the many cloth diaper websites for the easiest, Daddy Friendly Brands. I decided velcro was it, and wanted Bum Genius 3.0’s for my stash, along with some prefolds and Thirsties XS for the newborn stage.
Convincing my husband was not easy. My ammo was the cost savings and the fact that I would be doing all of the laundry. After some convincing, he agreed. The rest is history.
I think, what if I never saw cloth diapers online? I would NEVER have known. I don’t see mothers changing cloth diapers at the changing station. I never see babies running around in cloth diapers. I don’t see billboards or commercials about them like I do for disposables. Cloth diapers have a huge online community but how people stumble upon cloth diapers is still predominately online. I have talked to moms in person and I try to bring them up in conversations. I have converted a few people, and that is great. I know there are a few people working on starting a Real Diaper Association Circle in my area, which would hopefully work on spreading the word locally.
For me, just like breastfeeding in public, I like to cloth diaper in public. I like to pull out my diapers from my bag before I change him. I just take a diaper, wet bag, and wipes to the room, and leave my bag at the table or whereever. Or, in the warmer climates I let him run around in a diaper and T shirt or put him in babylegs.
Hopefully my son in cloth diapers will trigger something in someone else, and they will be able to say that I was the first person they saw with cloth diapers.
If you are participating in the carnival, please leave a link to your post below. You also need to put that you are entering the carnival at the top of your post, like I did, with links back to CDB and DDL. Here is the code for your post. (I have had comments already that the code isn’t working. UGH. I am emailing you, so if it doesn’t work email me. kdrosas at gamil dot com.)
Non Wordpress Users
<script src=”http://www.mcklinky.com/linky_include_basic.asp?id=8840” type=”text/javascript”></script><a href=”http://www.mcklinky.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://www.mcklinky.com/images/MckLinkyLogo119.gif” width=”119″ height=”39″ border=”0″ /></a>
Wordpress Users
<p><b>Powered by MckLinky</b></p><p><a href=”http://www.mcklinky.com/basic_list.asp?id=8840″>Click here</a> to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…</p><a href=”http://www.mcklinky.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://www.mcklinky.com/images/MckLinkyLogo119.gif” width=”119″ height=”39″ border=”0″ /></a>
Blogger Users (Thanks Denise for playing with the code.)
<script type=”text/javascript” src=”http://www.mcklinky.com/linky_include_basic.asp?id=8840″></script><a href=”http://www.mcklinky.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://www.mcklinky.com/images/MckLinkyLogo119.gif” width=”119″ height=”39″ border=”0″ /></a>
Baby Beehinds Minkee Magic-All Giveaway- CLOSED
Would you like to try the Minkee Magic-All from Babybeehinds? Enter for a chance to win (1) by going to Babybeehinds’ website. Tell me another product that you like on their site. There will be (3) winners!
Follow @Babybeehinds on Twitter. Leave a comment saying you did.
Follow my twitter and tweet this giveaway. Please tweet, “Minkee Magic-All from @babybeehinds Giveaway on DDL. 3 Winners! RT @KimRosas http://ozznh.th8.us #clothdiapers” Leave a comment with a link to your status. You can tweet once a day up t0 ten times for extra entries.
Subscribe to my blog via email through feedburner. You will get an email to activate. You must activate the subscription! Leave a comment. psst… you definitely want to sign up for updates via email to receive updates on all of the lastest video reviews and giveaways!
Follow me through Google Friend Connect or via a reader. Leave a comment.
Grab my button and post it on your blog. Leave a comment.
Blog about this giveaway. Post a link in the comment.
Post this giveaway to your Facebook. Leave a comment.
Giveaway ends on November 9. Winner drawn using random.org. Winner must contact me within 48 hours or a new one will be drawn.
***Open to US and Canada***
Baby Beehinds Minkee Magic-All Review
I was asked to review the Magic All made by Baby Beehinds. I was able to peruse all of the lovely Baby Beehinds products when I attended ABC Kids Expo. I also reviewed their Wool Cover during my fabulous “All About Wool” Week recently.
I was really excited about reviewing the Magic-All Minky because it was my first Minky Diaper. There are a lot of minky fans out there, but I had never gotten around to trying one myself. I received the Magic-All Minky in Licorice, and loved having a black diaper! I will say that the product photos on the website show licorice as having a grey sheen, which was not the case in real life. It is a dark black diaper.
About Baby Beehinds Magic-All:
Baby BeeHinds Minkee Magic Alls are a ‘true’ AIO with a twist! Made with a velvety soft Minkee/PUL outer, non-pill suede cloth inner and sewn-in soaker pad of 4 layers of microfiber terry-cloth, these diapers facilitate very quick and easy diaper changes! Our Magic-Alls ALSO have a pocket opening sewn in to the back of the diaper… so you can use this as an AIO diaper, AND you have the ability to customize the absorbency to suit baby’s own needs at times when extra absorbency might be needed! If baby is a heavy wetter or the diaper will need to be worn for an extended period, such as during nap-time, simply insert a bamboo ‘Boost-It’ (1 included with each diaper) and the absorbency of your Minkee Magic Alls is immediately doubled! Cross over snaps for the perfect fit. No cover needed – the plush minkee outer is far too gorgeous!
Ease of Use ✰✰✰✰ This diaper has snaps, and we all know that my rating system takes a star away automatically for that. There are a total of 4 snaps to affix, but since it is an All in One, you don’t even have to stuff the diaper before use. You also won’t need to worry with laundry tabs. Snapping diapers can be challenging with those wriggly babies like mine, who likes to stand up or roll over while being changed. But, so can aplix diapers! You will need to either run your dryer cycle twice, or let this diaper air dry for a day or two. Like most All in Ones, this take a long time to dry.
Bang for the Buck ✰✰✰ The Minky makes this diaper a little pricier than most. And, compared to the traditional PUL Magic-All, it is quite a bit more! I am conflicted on the value. Other Minky diapers run 30.00 plus, whereas this one is 26.00. The new PUL version is only, 20.50 dollars.
Performance ✰✰✰✰✰ No complaints here! The soaker is absorbent enoughfor day and nap time use. I used a microfiber doubler for overnights. No leaking whatsoever.
Fit ✰✰✰✰ The fit if this diaper is pretty good for my son. He has the snaps almost touching. Since it is a sized diaper I have a hard time believing a diaper would need the second cross over snap. In the video, you can see how tiny the waist gets, but with the rise being that long would a baby ever need that? If it were a one size diaper that would make sense to me. The legs were not loose, but close. He is on the average size of thighs, so maybe a baby with skinny legs would possibly need the thigh holes tighter. This is conjecture since I only tested this on my son. The rise is pretty perfect. It is on the higher end of rises for medium diapers I have tried, but that doesn’t bother me. In fact, that means there is lots of room for growth.
Overall- The Minkee Magic-All comes in some really fabulous colors! I had a hard time deciding, truthfully. And the minky is nice and soft! I love that it is an All in One with the pocket for nights. And I love snap diapers, so win there too.
Flip and Econobum Reviews, Should I? *UPDATE
UPDATE: Kelly’s Closet has generously offered to send the Flip and Econobum for review. I am very grateful to them for making these reviews happen. I know the videos will help parents who are trying to decide between the two, or who are wondering how the Flip/ Gro Baby systems differ. I am also so happy at the comments I have received to far. Thank you all for helping me decide, and to those of you who emailed or commented that you would allow me to borrow your own diapers for the video. I am really truly beyond amazed at all of your kindness. You all have assured me that keeping the blog going is the right thing to do as well. Though I may sometimes skip a few days, I am still here. But family is first! I can’t wait to bring you these reviews and the other diapers waiting in the wings. Plus, December is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to tell you what is in store. Just think Fluffy Christmas!
I am conflicted about doing a Flip and Econobum review. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the brands, these are new diapering systems from the makers of Bum Genius. The FLIP is a snapping cover with a snap down rise to make it one size, and you can use it with stay dry inserts or organic cotton or disposable inserts. The Econobum is meant as an introductory cloth diaper. It is 9.99 for a plain white snapping cover, and it comes with a one size prefold that is divided is squares to fold different ways for different sizes.
I aim to bring readers video reviews of diapers to help you decide what diapers are best for your family, and to help you compare them to others you may be considering. I have done reviews of diapers I own, and at this point, am usually sent the diapers to review. To bring you as many reviews as possible, I have to do this. Otherwise, I would spend more money than I have buying diapers for reviews.
Bum Genius doesn’t really send diapers out for review at this time. This is fine, not everyone does! But, I know a lot of you are interested in seeing a video of the Flip and Econobum. I was very close to buying them both last night but then I talked myself out of it, for good reason. 40.00 for them all. I am saving my money to buy the longies being knit for my son’s first bday.
If you want to see a video review of the Flip and/or Econobum, keep me in mind while shopping for diapers. If you are shopping at Kelly’s Closet, use my affiliate link. I made a percentage of the sale, which I can turn into diapers to review. Or, if you just happen to own a diaper store that carries these items and you are reading this, consider sponsoring the diapers to be reviewed.
There have been many diapers I have wanted to buy to review, but again, I have to be rational. Do I need more diapers? Absolutely not! Should I be pouring money into this website instead of my son’s birthday? No again. But I would still like to do my reviews!
Winner Round up!
Dirty Diaper Laundry has been very busy with giveaways lately, and I am glad to see some of them wrapping up! I hope the winners love their new items, it makes me happy to be able to host giveaways and brighten someone’s day.
The ECA Pants Winner:
I lost this screen cap!!! Congrats to Dawn. She has been notified and made her selection.
The Rockin’ Baby Sling Giveaway:
The Baby Legs and Sock Set Giveaway:
Gro Baby Cloth Diaper Cartoon!
I was so thrilled to learn that Gro Baby has a sweet cartoon about their cloth diapering system. Gro Baby is taking the cloth diaper world by storm! They are in some Whole Foods, which is an exciting way to help raise cloth diaper awareness. Imagine if you had no idea cloth diapers existed, and you saw the colorful Gro Baby system at your Grocery Store?!?! Would you read the box? Would you realize that there is another way? I think you would… Congrats Gro Baby on your success so far. I am all for the success of any cloth diaper. A victory for one cloth diaper is a victory for all cloth diapers! And now…. the video!
What could have been… Babywearing Patent Fun!
You will appreciate the modern conveniences we have with carriers like the ones I have reviewed so far this month, and the ones to come. How would you have liked to wear your baby in one of these?!?! I can only hope that most of these never made it to production!
remember International Babywearing Week's slogan, "close enough to kiss?" This takes that a bit too far! Patent filed 1995 and issued 1996.
How does this one work? Do you need to tighten the belt so tight that it supports a baby? I say pass on this one... Patent filed 1994 and issued 1996.
This one actually isn't that far fetched. The shoulder is nicely spread out for comfort, as it would be in a ring sling, wrap, or pouch. The baby actually has a "seat", it isn't fabric. Patent filed 1954 and issued 1955.
The oldest I found. Patent filed 1893. Not really a crazy concept, but I can't imagine sitting on a leather strap would be comfortable or supportive.
Crazy Head Carry Device. I see only bad things happening to the hair of whatever person wears this. YOUCH! Oh, and forget about babies who spit up... Patent filed 1999 and issued 2000
Seated front carry, imagine the back strain! patent filed in 1985 and issued 1988
Am I seeing double? Realistically, how long could you use this thing? If my son were placed in this position he would be nibbling through my shirt. It isn't nice to tease! A+ for effort. Patent filed 1993 and issued 1995
Check out this diagram! This is another seated front facing. Honestly, not a bad idea considering that front facing puts weight and strain on the base of the spine. The issue lies in having your center of gravity pulled forward. I am also sure that Figure A. is: "Awesome Mustasche apparatus." patent issued 1993.
This one isn't that bad! Looks fairly comfy. Note that the buckle resembles something seen on your overalls back in 4th grade! Patent filed in 1943 and issued 1945. Note: moms need carrier to grocery shop! Those 1940's folks knew what was up!
This one is interesting! Plus I love the stereotypical 1960's hair. Hip carry seat? Note, in the corner is a snippet of the side view. There is a handy bottle pouch! Those were days when the elite didn't breastfeed. 1966.
-
Grab My Button!
-
Cloth Diaper Friends
-
-
-
-
More Friends and Sites
-
-
-
-
-
-
Blog Events
-
-
Cloth Diaper Advocacy
-
Please Visit my Wonderful Sponsors!
-
-
-
-
