Using a mei tai

Tummy to tummy

First, take the two short straps and tie the sling around your waist so that the body of the sling hangs down at your front like a pinny. The side you want to face out, needs to be facing you at this point. Now pick your baby up. Hold him to you, his tummy to yours. Bring the main body of the sling up between the baby's legs, and spread it out so that the baby's legs straddle the sling and the sling body supports his back. Put the long straps over your shoulders and cross them behind your back. Now is the time to pull the straps taut, to ensure baby is comfortable. Check that the straps are not twisted, for optimum comfort. Bring the straps round to the front. You can then tie the sling at the front, or cross the straps over and under baby's legs and tie behind your back. You can tie the sling in a double knot, either around the baby's back (more back support for younger babies), or under the baby's bottom (more support for the weight of heavier babies). Some people like to tie the loose ends into a bow, because it looks pretty or to shorten the loose ends more.

Back carries

There are a few different ways to achieve a back carry. The easiest way for a beginner is to have a helper to lift baby onto your back and help manoeuvre the straps. However, as we all know there are times when a helper is not around, so these instructions are for solo back carries. If you are just starting out, you might want to try it sitting on a bed or other soft surface first, until you have the confidence that you can lift your baby onto your back without risking dropping him.

Method 1

I think this is the easiest method for a beginner to master, especially if you have a young baby who is not yet mobile and will stay put when you lie him down. It requires a flat surface to lie baby on.

Spread the body of the sling out flat, with the short straps closest to you. Make sure the straps are all separate and not tangled. Lie baby on the main body of the sling with his legs at the short strap end. Now sit with your back to baby and tie the short straps snugly round your waist. Move baby's legs so that they straddle your back. Now take the longer straps and carefully pull them up over your shoulders. This will bring baby into an upright position in the sling. Then you can pull the straps tighter, checking baby's position in a mirror if necessary. Now you are ready to tie the shoulder straps. You can cross them over your chest and under opposite arms, or keep them uncrossed and pass them straight under your arms if you want rucksack style straps. Once behind your back, cross the straps over, then under the babys legs to bring the straps round to your tummy. Tie in a double knot.

Method 2

I like this for toddlers, though it can be used with younger babies with head support too.

Take the top of the sling (where the long straps are) and put it around baby's back and under his arms. Bring both sides of the sling together at baby's chest and hold tightly in one hand. You should be able to pick baby up like this, just using the other hand to steady and support his bottom as you 'toss' him over onto your back, with the sling straps still held tightly at your shoulder. Still holding the sling tightly, and leaning forward so your back is like a table for your baby to lie on, quickly seperate the shoulder straps and bring the left side one over your left shoulder and vice versa. At this point, bring the shoulder straps down between and hold them tightly between your knees while you reach for the short waist straps and tie them round your middle. Then you can take the shoulder straps again and tie them, in the same way as for method 1.