Baby-Wearing Gets Funky and Fashionable: The BabyHawk Mei Tai

BabyHawk Mei Tai: Where baby-wearing form meets fashion!

I’m a big proponent of baby-wearing. Strapping my kids onto me saved my sanity many times. Like those times when the baby screams the moment you even act like you might be thinking about putting him or her down. Or those times when you really, really need to get something done but, again, the whole screaming thing. There are so many options out there for baby-wearing, and I thought I’d share another one I tried, courtesy of BabyHawk.

I’m a big fan of my Ergo, which is a very utilitarian baby-carrier. It means business and is great for serious walks and hikes. I’ve also got the K’tan, which is stretchy wrap-style carrier. I like both for different purposes. I was interested in seeing how the BabyHawk Mei Tai stacked up—it’s kind of a cross between the two. It’s more like the Ergo in structure, with straps you have to tie up instead of buckle. Plus, it’s got numerous adorable fabrics to choose from.

I tested out the BabyHawk with my son around the 12-month mark. He’s now 14 months and 23+ pounds, and it still supports him more than adequately; it can be used for a newborn up to 40 pounds. (But hopefully not a 40-pound newborn, am I right?)

Like all baby carriers, there is a learning curve when you first use the Mei Tai. Figuring out where the straps go and how to get your baby positioned correctly takes practice. Bending over, getting a kid into position on your back, and then reaching the straps? It could seriously be a Mom-Olympics sport. But you become much better each time you do it, and the Mei Tai is no different. There are numerous ways to wear it, too, which is great for flexibility and comfort, even if it means trying several different ways to find what is most comfortable for the baby (most important) and what feels best to you (second most important).

The detailed images and instructions definitely help when figuring it out. I really liked the Back Carry Cross Tie, where the baby is worn like a backpack, with the straps crossing over the chest. I could, however, see how this way might not be great for big-busted women, which is why it’s great that there’s a back carry option where you don’t have to cross the straps in front. I’ve also worn my son in the front carry position, which he didn’t seem as thrilled about, but was perfectly comfortable for me.

BabyHawk takes baby-wearing to the front or back!

The long straps on the Mei Tai can be a bit unwieldy, so it does take some skill to get them in place. It helps to have a second person on hand to help, but I managed to figure it out all by myself even the first time. Like I said, once you get the hang of getting the carrier on, you’re good. The comfort level is really good, too. The baby feels supported and sturdy, and I never felt that the straps were cutting into me or anything like that. I do like that, with the Ergo, once you get the straps adjusted to your size, it doesn’t really need adjusting. With the Mei Tai, you have to tie it each and every time. It’s not a bad thing, just different. The company does also offer the Oh Snap!, a carrier with snaps and buckles if you like that style more.

I love that it feels like really good quality, too. The liner inside is that super-soft bumpy-baby-blanket fabric, and the straps are really sturdy. At $89 to $119, they’re not cheap, but it doesn’t seem like many of them are! Also, your inner fashion designer can get excited because the BabyHawk Design Center lets you design your own carrier if you don’t love any of the ready-made carriers (which can also be found for less on Amazon!). With lots of fabrics and colors to choose from, you’ll be able to find something you really love. No more one-look-fits-all!

What is your favorite kind of baby carrier? —Erin