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.

Along with all of the amazing cloth diaper products unleashed at ABC Kids Expo, baby carriers were also introducing some very exciting products!

First, the one I am most excited about, the Boba from NAP, the makers of Sleepy Wrap.  Boba is a Soft Structure carrier (SSC) that is intended for toddlers 1-4 years old and around 20 pounds and up. Boba has a few extra inches of height to keep the toddler’s body safe and secure.  The coolest thing about it: there are foot straps attached to the waist belt for the child’s feet to sit in.  This enables a healthy sitting position for the child.  The optimum position for a baby being worn is a frog leg position with the knees close to a ninety degree angle, which is the goal of this carrier.  As long as the child is cooperative, this is a great way to continue babywearing as your baby is heavier and older.  Right now the carrier comes in solid colors and one print, with plans for more prints in the future.  It will retail for around 99 and be shipping sometime in late September.  Want a peek?

Hotslings also had two new products to announce at ABC.  Hotslings AP (Adjustable pouch) is an innovative hybrid between a pouch sling, their signature item, and a ring sling.  There are two straps in the pouch, one in the upper rail and one in the lower rail, that can be easily adjusted to tighten or loosen.  The buckles are hidden underneath a pouch of fabric to keep baby from playing with them.  The straps replace the ring and long tail of fabric in ring slings, and offers a nice option for people who want a compact diaper bag size carrier but don’t like the non adjustability of pouch slings.  It is coming out in 6 signature prints and is paired with a drawstring bag for taking along in your bag.  The pouch should fit Hotslings sizes 2-5.  I always enjoyed the idea of Hotslings but not the restriction of the size. Plus, women who are in the process of losing weight or who are pregnant will need to adjust the size over time.  I am really excited to try the AP out.  Hotslings has also unveiled a nursing cami called Milkcraze, which is a pull over top.

As I mentioned before, Beco has plans for a multi functioning carrier, the Gemini.  The Gemini offers babywearers the option of front facing, tummy to tummy, and back carries.  While front facing is not recommended for long periods of time because it strains the wearers back and it isn’t the best position for the baby either, many parents are demanding that their carriers have that option.  The Gemini has a snap adjusting seat that can expand or contract to accomodate rear or front facing,  The fabric panel in the middle can also be snapped down.

Baby Hawk introduced their new designs courtesy of the men behind Ruthless and Toothless, a tattoo inspired baby and children’s clothing line.  These men also happen to be from the show Miami Ink.  Expect really funky old school designs and fun colors.  These aren’t available yet but will be in a few weeks.

Cybex is a carrier I bet you haven’t heard of.  The 2.GO Cybex Baby Cariier is being distributed by Regal Lager, who also distributes the Bambino Mio and Diaper Dekor, and will be available in the US soon.  The Cybex is a very masculine and modern looking carrier with many functions.  It can back carry, front carry tummy to tummy, and front face carry.  It can also accommodate newborns and has special leg straps to keep their little bodies contained inside and prevent them from slipping out of the leg holes.  The seat has a zipper that when open gives larger babies more seat room and maintains the fabric width needed for their comfort.  The middle fabric panel can fold down for larger babies who want arm mobility.  The back middle strap (same as the chest strap for front facing) has a cool swivel feature which is handy for taking on and off.  The colors are very hip, and I think the dads are really going to like this one.  It will retail for 99.99.

Ergo unveiled an new accesory to their line, the ♥2♥.  This is a new “womb” like infant insert which is very lightweight but will cradle a newborn in comfrt.  It looks similar to a cone with rolled edges, and is very soft.

Moby has added new colors to their lineup, pacific, burgundy, and slate.  They also unveiled a new design, a crescent moon and stars.