Mei Tai Baby Carrier

M.,
Well I have a one year old that weights about 19 lbs. I recently got a Baby Hawk Mei Tai baby carrier and LOVE it for shopping.
I have tried all kinds of carriers and ended up hating all of them because of discomfort. Ring slings, slings, hip hammock, and the snuggle. With the Mei Tai I find that the weight is distributed evenly so it keeps things more comfortable. I would highly suggest that you get one that has some serious padding on the straps. I purchase one off of eBay that I ended sending back because the straps was cutting into my under arms. I was attending a Birthday party in my playgroup and was having a hard time keeping up with my 3 1/2 year old and my crawling one year old. A guest let me try on her Baby Hawk and I fell in love! It's hard to find a Baby Hawk brand for less than 80 dollars but it is possible if you surf the web. I found mine for 57 dollars on a craigs list in Calf! She accepted pay pal and it worked great for both of us.
It might be alittle pricey but I think it worth getting something made well and comfortable.
As for weight, most will carry a child up to 40 - 45 lbs though that prolly wouldn't be very comfortable. So I think with 26 lbs you should be good for one for a while. As for hubby if he's not on the extra big tummy side it should fit him fine. Also the resale value on these are very good! :)
Hope this helps,
C.

Because of the way the mei-tei distributes the weight of the child you can use your mei-tei for years. It is secure enough to carry a kindergartner. And because the mei-tei is not pre-sized in the shoulder and waist straps so to speak they can be shared by a petite woman to a huge burly man. Practice with the wrap at home to perfect the tying before you go out and you'll have it done to perfection even with a squirming unccoperative toddler. http://store.peppermint.com/mei-tai.html
http://shop.nurturecenter.com/wrapcarriers.html
http://babiesbeyondborders.com/catalog.php?category=10/

I would suggest the Ergo Baby Carrier. It will grow with your child for years and will fit your husband and you both. I have one and love it. It is the most comfortable baby carrier I have owned and I've tried several. It can even hold a 90 pound adult!

www.ergobabycarrier.com

I can put a 6 year old in my mei-tai if I want to! :-)

If you are getting a custom made mei-tai (from Babyhawk or something) you can request XL straps, which are a little bit longer, and would definitely accomodate your husband!

If you can, I would definitely try and go to the local baby wearing meeting on Dec 15, there are tons of mamas there that would be more than willing to let you try on different carriers and show you different ways to use them

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DFWbabywearing

thebabywearer.com has a great forum with lots of pictures and reviews on there as well!

I second the Ergo, it is wonderful and well worth every penny!

I love my Mei Tai! I still use it with my 3 1/2 year old daughter who weighs 33 pounds. I have one with padded shoulder straps, and just put her on my back. It's great for anyone to wear! My husband, father, sisters, and myself all use it for my daughters. It distributes the weight..and allows for free hands! Mine is also a Baby Hawk!
Good Luck!

It sounds like you have a lot of good suggestions. Also think about a HotSling or Lucky baby. They will hold up to 35lbs and 3y/o can rest on your hip in it. The moms at the store here use it all the time for a quick fix.
K. @ The Nestingplace

My husband and I have this same problem with our 26lbs 15 month old. We use a Hiking Child Carrier. The brand we use is Kelty and we bought it at Academy Sporting goods. It was about $100, but worth ever penny. The Carrier is very comfortable for mom or dad, and holds up to 40 lbs. It's great, we take it every where. I even where it while I'm doing house work.

I have a friend that has the Mei Tai and loves it. On the website they offer a toddlerhawk version and the weight is up to 40 pounds. Check out babyhawk.com. She also has recommended Ergo (up to 40 pounds and for dads too)@ ergobabycarrier.com and Beco (through toddlerhood? and for dads too)@ becobabycarrier.com.

My son is also almost 2 and doesn't like to ride in the buggy at the store - I've really enjoyed my mei tai for toting him around. He weighs in a 30 lbs or so and the mei tai (I made) can easily support his weight. Typically, the weight limit on a mei tai is what the WEARER can tolerate, much greater than 40 lbs becomes very heavy. As mentioned earlier, the straps are adjustable/tie on straps, easy to fit a variety of sizes.
I have a small business that specializes in baby carriers - you are welcome to check out my website at www.slingsbyj.com. I create custom carriers, so if you need a longer strap (mine are 82 inches) or want padded straps, etc, I can easily address those needs. You can also select your fabric from my site or send me your fabric.

I've seen several people mention baby hawk mei tais...other brands (besides mine) : ) is the kozycarrier and mei tai baby. The average price for these carriers is about $80. My carriers start at $50.

If you decide on a mei tai, kozycarrier has great online picture directions for using your mei tai safely. : )

Other tricks I use when shopping with my son are the (annoying) race car carts at the grocery, snacks galore, and allowing him to "help" with all the buttons,bagging,selection of items he can reach.

I hope you find a positive solution to the shopping issue!
J.

Hi,

My oldest son also refused to sit in a cart. An ergo or a mai tai would have been very handy. (I have an ergo now.) I ended up using a stroller a lot. I got a sturdy umbrella stroller (Chico Caddy) and always had something to keep him occupied. I discovered that one of those plastic shopping baskets fit perfectly over the handles of my stroller. Once he got a little older he was willing to sit in the basket of the cart. I have to watch him very carefully, but it is the only thing that works.

Don't know about this carrier, but seems like an almost 2 year old would not enjoy being "strapped". It would hurt spending this amount on a carrier and have her HATE it. Or, you could look on craigslist.com for a used one. I would also suggest using those annoying car buggies...my kids love those (ages 2 & 3). Hate pushing it, but hey, whatever works. Also, I know Signature Krogers have free childcare while you're shopping. GL!

I have a mei tai carrier and love it! The one I have is rated for 35 or 40 lbs and my 17 month old loves it. I got mine from http://meitaicarrier.com/ We have the really long straps and my 450 lb 6'0" husband can wear it.

Hey Mama...and Mei Tai carrier will hold up to 40 pounds:) AND I could make you one for a fair price with the fabric of your choice, if interested:) ____@____.com is my email, let me know!
and yes, the weight will be spread out over the straps and with thick enough straps it'll be like wearing a back pack.
Let me know!
T. & Zoey Star