Baby carriers have been around for quite a while now. However, they are just starting to become a massive trend among parents and for good reason too. Comfort, flexibility, ease of use, etc. are few of the many features that make a baby carrier a good substitute for a stroller.
Without taking anything away from the relevance of the stroller a baby carrier is a more competent choice in certain situations. It isn’t exactly easy to push a stroller along tight corridors or up a flight of stairs.
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What is a Mei Tai Carrier?
Either to provide a substitute for the stroller or replace your old baby carier, Mei Tai is an excellent choice to consider. Originating in China and spreading like wildfire across the globe, the Mei Tai baby carrier provides all the comfort and flexibility of a regular baby carrier and even more.
Choosing the perfect baby carrier is sometimes a puzzle. With the numerous brands and types selecting the perfect baby carrier especially in the Mei Tai class, can be nothing short of navigating a maze, especially if this is your first time buying one.
Best Mei Tai Carrier: Top Picks
Each of the carriers on this list has gone through our rigorous testing and vetting process, so be rest assured any of them would make you very happy.
However, with a few differences in their specifications, we decided to give a detailed breakdown of each carrier to ensure that you choose the best for you and your baby.
1) Top pick: No products found. Review
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In a fine blend of comfort and structure, the catbird sails forward as our top pick. Its fabric is made of 100% cotton making it soft and snuggly comfortable for your child. The Catbird Baby carrier is padded at the back, creating a comfortable seat for your baby. With the long comfortable straps, you can be sure of you and your baby's comfort.
With 5 different positions available, you have a nice set of options to choose from when it comes to carrying your baby with this Mei Tai baby carrier. It also has a padded headrest to ensure that your baby's head isn't dangling in an uncomfortable position especially when you carry your precious child at your back.
Pros
- Best pick for newborn babies.
- Aids multitasking.
- Very flexible.
- Comfortable for both you and your baby.
- Allows outward-facing.
- 100% cotton.
Cons
- Straps are a bit too short making it slightly uncomfortable for plus size wearers.
- A bit difficult to wash due to its numerous structural pads.
Customer Sentiments
Parents love the Catbird Mei Tai because of its flexibility and strength. Some customers complained about the straps being a bit short but this constitutes the minority. The catbird still stands out as one of the most well-received Mei Tai baby carriers in the market.
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Coming in second is the Didymos Mei Tai. It is also made of 100% cotton just like the Catbird, however, unlike the Catbird, it has a less rigid, more skin-like structure. With no structure padding of any sort other than the drawstring seat, the Didymos Mei Tai holds the top score when it comes to comfort.
The drawstring seat is designed with your baby's ergonomic “M” shape in mind ensuring that your baby's bones and posture are safe and comfortable. There is also a drawstring adjuster that ensures that the Didymos Mei Tai grows with your child without sacrificing an inch of comfort.
It is important to note that this baby carrier is made out of a very light fabric, therefore, it isn’t conducive for cold weather. The general climate of your location is something to consider when choosing this baby carrier.
Pros
- Easy to dry clean
- Easy to breastfeed in
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Healthy positioning for your baby’s hip, joints, and bones
- Inbuilt hood to provide additional shelter for your baby
Cons
- It's light airy material that makes it comfortable and easy to wash also makes it unsuitable for cold weathers
Customers Sentiments
Customers found the Didymos Mei Tai very easy to use and maintain. Parents in hot regions didn’t mind the light material, in fact, they loved the Didymos Mei Tai more because of it.
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3) Lilliputi Mei Tai Review
With long straps and padded waistband, this baby carrier was designed with the “plus-sized” in mind. While other baby carriers might feel a bit tight, leaving only a small tip of their straps for tying this baby carrier is designed to be very accommodating.
Like most baby carriers on our list, the Lilliputi Mei Tai is adjustable and can keep carrying your baby all the way into his/her second year.
The design of the Lilliputi Mei Tai encourages baby backing. As this tradition is fading and most of us don’t know how to back a baby effortlessly, a thorough study of the manual is highly advised with this baby carrier. Even if you are an experienced mom a refresher course won't hurt.
Pros
- Very accommodating
- Eco-friendly material
- Easy to dry clean
- The hood cover is a welcome bonus
- Soft comfortable fabric
Cons
- Not suitable for newborn babies
- No shoulder pads available
Customer Sentiments
Customers love the super soft and comfy feeling of the Lilliputi Mei Tai. They also felt relaxed when using this baby carrier as the straps never felt slack or loose once tied.
4) Infantino Sash Wrap Review
The Infantino sash wrap shines best in the durability department. With its strong structure and numerous, long straps your baby can use this baby carrier comfortably into adulthood. It is one of the most structurally sound Mei Tai carriers in the market today. All the structure and rigid durability didn’t stop the Infantino sash wrap from holding on to the comfortable ease of use that the Mei Tai is known for.
With the Infantino sash wrap, you are sure to get the full value for your money.
Pros
- Easy to wash
- Eases breastfeeding
- Hoodie for extra protection
- Stylish
Cons
- Very bulky
- Stiff straps making use slightly difficult
- Doesn’t allow you to carry your baby in the outward-facing position
Customer Sentiments
Many mothers loved this baby carrier because it was very comfortable and friendly on the back irrespective of height or preexisting back pains. Most customers were amazed at the contrast between its price and value. The Infantino Sash Wrap is cheaper than the average baby carrier and yet very effective.
5) CuddleBug Baby Wrap Sling Review
For our final pick, we went with the Cuddle bug baby wrap sling. If simple and affordable is what you are looking for then the cuddle bug is the perfect choice. Made from French terry cotton this baby carrier is both safe and comfortable. If you are new to baby carriers the cuddle bug might not be the perfect pick for you as it is not very easy to use.
Unlike other baby carriers, the cuddle bug has no straps or structural pad. However, comfort and safety (when used correctly) is optimum.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Very light and easy on the back
- Very comfortable for you and your baby
- Goes back to the very basics of Mei Tai baby carriers
- Very flexible
Cons
- Complicated to set up and use.
- Too small
Customer Sentiments
Most customers complained about the initial difficulty in understanding and using the knot system. However, they also admitted that it was very easy once they got a hang of it. Happy customers recommend watching tutorial videos on how to wrap the cuddle bug sling.
Factors to Consider in Selecting the Best Mei Tai Carrier
To guide you in making an informed decision we shall run through a detailed analysis of the factors and specifications to look out for.
1) Comfort
This is the main reason that makes buying the Mei Tai baby carrier worth it. If a Mei Tai isn’t comfortable for you and your baby then it isn’t worth buying.
There are a few specific features to look out for based on comfort:
The fabric the carrier is made from. Is it soft? Is it thick enough to hold your baby’s weight without tearing? Is it conducive for your location, temperature-wise?
The structure: Mei Tai baby carriers tend to be square or rectangular, with straps attached at the edges or corners. With different baby carriers utilizing slightly different structures you must be on the lookout to ensure that your chosen baby carrier supports your child comfortably without causing any strain or pain at the back or between the legs.
2) Ease of Use
This comes down to the straps. Are they easy to tie and loosen? Are they flexible enough to allow other baby carrying positions? Etc.
A good baby carrier must be able to permit numerous carrying positions: snuggled into your chest, on your hip or even your back while still distributing the weight evenly in all positions. Also, if the straps seem to be made of a material that can self-loose or get bundled into a tight knot you would be better off without it. The perfect balance is straps that would keep your baby secure and also loosen easily without you requiring extra hands.
3) Safety
Another criterion to look out for and no doubt the most important is safety. When it’s all said and done, at the apex of our considerations is our baby’s safety. Most Mei Tai carriers are safe and would do a great job in keeping your baby away from harm, however, most accidents occur due to parents not reading or following the instructions usually spelled out in the manufacturer’s manual.
Therefore, asides selecting a Mei Tai with a good structure and reliable straps you must take extra care to follow all instructions to ensure your baby’s safety.
4) Multi-tasking
Carrying your baby in a carrier might make it difficult for you to do other things such as carrying a bag on your shoulder, lying face down or running. It may sound pretty obvious but until you start using a career you probably would be oblivious to the numerous limitations.
A baby carrier with lightweight and straps that don’t dangle everywhere is ideal.
FAQs
Is baby backing safe?
Yes, as long as you know what you are doing your baby would be perfectly safe strapped to your back. Although, baby backing is a fading tradition it has less to do with its safety but more to do with development.
With strollers and most baby carriers designed to be forward-facing with intricate systems of straps and buckles, baby backing is quickly fading into oblivion.
What's the difference between an average baby carrier and a Mei Tai?
Asides from the Chinese origin, the Mei Tai isn’t very different from other baby carriers. The main feature that differentiates a Mei Tai from the average baby carrier is the concentration on comfort and the use of comfortable straps rather than buckles.
Is a baby carrier a perfect replacement for a stroller?
Not exactly. Although they are close substitutes, they aren’t completely interchangeable. A stroller is more suitable for long walks in the park while a baby carrier is excellent for in house use and covering short distances.
There are other situations and factors that showcase their strengths and weaknesses but the above example should give you a relatively clear picture.
Verdict
The decision to go for one of the best Mei Tai carrier products is an excellent one. However, before going to the store and purchasing the carrier for your baby, a thorough consultation with your doctor would be advisable. It is important to note that a baby carrier might not suit you especially if you have constant backaches as well as other medical conditions.
Once you have the go-ahead from your doctor feel free to choose from our top picks, the baby carrier that satisfies all your needs. We are confident that your baby would be safe in any of them.