Mei Tai FAQ

How tight should I tie my Mei Tai?

It depends on how heavy your baby is and how you carry him(her). A small baby in the front carry should never be tied very tight. This is especially true when you tie the long ties across a newborn's back for extra safety on the sides. If you tie it too tight, your baby will not have the nice rounded back that is so important in all positions. Later on you tie the long ties under his(her) bottom and then it can be tighter. 

It becomes more important to tie tightly as the baby gets bigger, especially on the back, because:

It is never good to tie loosely on the back!

Then the entire weight of your baby can pull your shoulders down and that really hurts. And it isn't good for your baby, either, because he(she) isn't getting enough back support. The Lexi-Cross won't do you any good if it isn't tight enough! So please tie  Mei Tai as tight as possible on your back. Your body's warmth will heat it up and it will loosen naturally to the ideal position within 10 minutes. Remember: baby carrying should always be comfortable! Retie rather than suffer!

Are mei tais safe for my newborn?

Yes, when used correctly. Please keep our Mei Tai Safety Instructions in mind at all times.

How do I pronounce it?

Mei Tai is pronounced like "May Tye".

I heard it is bad to tie a mei tai across a baby's back. Why do you show this in your instructions?

There is nothing harmful about tying the mei tai across  the back like this. It will not harm their back and in fact, it gives them extra support. Of course it should not be tied extremely tight. You can be sure your baby will let you know if you tie it too tight!

Actually, our instructions show just one of several choices for tying the mei tai on the front. We picked this one for the first time, since it is nice to know that there is an extra tie crossing your baby's back that can prevent her from falling out on the side. Don't worry, your baby will not fall out however you tie it! But for parents new to mei tais, this extra security is comforting.

Another basic way is just to tie it directly below their bottom, as in this picture.

Is my infant too big for the mei tai baby carrier?

No. You can actually carry an adult in our mei tais! Infants can easily be carried in either the normal back carry or the high back carry.

My baby's head falls back when she sleeps in the mei tai! What should I do?

Small babies should sit deep enough in the mei tai that their head is supported. Try gently bouncing the baby so that she sinks down into a deeper position before you tie the top straps. For a bigger baby you may need to tuck his arms under the straps so that his head can rest on you chest or back. An infant will generally be carried on your back with her upper body out of the mei tai. In this case we recommend using a long scarf: wrap it around her head and loosely tie the ends around your shoulders. This is great in summer to keep the sun off and in winter to keep you both warm.

How can I wear my baby in winter?

The ideal choice for a smaller baby is to wear him on your chest. This way, you can button your coat up around him, keeping a little spot open for fresh air. For a larger baby we recommend the high back carry, also known as the “Tibetan Carry”. It is the way Tibetans have carried their little ons through the harsh Himalayas and it will work for you, too. The advantage of the High Back Carry is that your baby or infant's head is higher than you shoulders, so you can actually put a coat on over both your body and his.

I want to do some serious hiking with my baby. Do I need one of those expensive baby backpacking carriers?

Use your mei tai! For a smaller baby the back carry should be all you need. A larger baby ought to be supported with the /cross/ to keep her weight from sinking down and becoming uncomfortable. You'll definitely want to master the /High Back Carry/ for a serious hiking tour. This position puts the whole weight of the baby up on your shoulders, making the baby seem almost weightless. You can hike all day long with a baby or even an infant in this position.

How do I wash my mei tai?

We recommend washing the mei tai at 30 degrees in the machine. Dry flat, please don't put it in the dryer!

Is my baby too small for the mei tai baby carrier?

If your baby is small he may sink too far down in the mei tai. What you need to do is fold the bottom of the mei tai inward one time like a fan. Then tie it on as usual. The edge of the top rim of the mei tai should reach up to the back of his head.

Can I carry my newborn baby in a mei tai baby carrier?

Yes, you can. The important thing is that you carrier her in the front and make sure that her head is supported. Follow the directions for the front carry in the /How to wear a Mei Tai/ , her legs should be turned slightly outward in the froggie position. This is the same position that you would carry a baby in a traditional wrap.