Hi, my little boy is getting pretty hefty and I’m looking at getting a new sling. I’ve no experience of mei tais, just heard good things about them. I have been using a stretchy wrap so I have experience in wrapping. I was thinking about getting an Ellaroo, as I like that they are thin and cool, and the patterns What would you recommend, and which is easier? Will they both go to toddlerhood no problem?
Both will go to toddlerhood with no problems, the Toddlerhawk is a mei tai in toddler size. May be a wrap is more flexible as it is just one size fits all? I have used a mei tai for babies and toddlers and have just got my first woven wrap which I will try out this week! I find even with padded shoulder straps the mai tai could cut in and pull a bit on my shoulders, so I am trying the woven wrap to see if it helps spread the weight wider on my shoulders. I think it all comes down to personal preference though, can you try some out?
I have both and wouldn’t be without either. Woven wrap is best for when she’s going to be in there for a long period of time as the weight is distributed better, but mei tais are just so quick to put on and take off so handy when I need to keep taking her in and out.
Hmm, maybe I should get both?! What kind of mei tai do you have? And which woven wraps? Do normal mei tais get too small by the time the child grows into toddlerhood? I am not sure how tall my son is, he looks the same or bit taller than the other babies his age, but he flits between 75th and 91st percentile for weight.
I am also confused about lengths of woven wraps, 4.2, 4.6, 5+ etc! Should I just get a long one? I am 5ft 7 but very skinny, about 7 st 8 lb at the moment, so quite a bit below the ‘up to 130lbs’ smaller size, but that apparently is also only up to 5 ft 4…Is it more important to go by your height or size of frame?
I’m not sure where I can try any before I buy. DId you buy new or second hand?
Thanks MamaPixie - he still fits in the Babyhawk fine then? I love the Kristin colour, it’s the one I have my eye on! Heard they are actually nicer second-hand as they need breaking in!
What do you prefer about the Hawk? Ease or comfort? Can you walk a long way with the mei tai, do a lot of walking. And do you wear him on front or back? I’m a bit nervous about having baby on back, but it looks the done thing when they get bigger!
Before I had Jude I would have said a woven wrap all the way. Now, having had her and discovering that at just three months she doesn’t like the (gorgeous!) woven wrap, I would say it depends on the child, and is worth going to a sling meet if you can to try out different options.
I would say that at 8 months, it would be more sensible to go for a toddler mei-tai, as some kids tend to fling themselves backwards, and a baby one which only comes to halfway up their back will make that uncomfortable for you. They won’t be able to fall out, but could definitely give you a rough time of it. We have a lovely, fabulously comfortable Nannie Cool toddler mei-tai; I’ve heard good things about Toddlerhawks too.
I use both but do find the mei tai easier just to grab and go. I had a Joey, which was great but got pinched, and I’ve recently bought a Kozy carrier from a local lady who stocks them (in Devon - they come from the US though) and I have to say it’s the most comfy and beautiful sling I’ve tried! Little dd2 goes to sleep in seconds on my back in it and I can carry her for hours in it. I love the ergo for convenience on days when she’ll be up and down a lot and would choose a woven (girasol is my best one, brilliant - my ellaroo is lovely but nothing like as supportive) for really long walks etc, but now that dd2 loves to walk, the mei tai is the best compromise. Highly recommend the Kozy!
Thanks MamaPixie - he still fits in the Babyhawk fine then? I love the Kristin colour, it’s the one I have my eye on! Heard they are actually nicer second-hand as they need breaking in!
What do you prefer about the Hawk? Ease or comfort? Can you walk a long way with the mei tai, do a lot of walking. And do you wear him on front or back? I’m a bit nervous about having baby on back, but it looks the done thing when they get bigger!
He fits in the Hawk fine still and he’ll be three in June. It’s easier (quicker) than the wrap, especially for a toddler who wants to be up and down a lot! And I wear him on my back, and yes, I can walk a long way with him, but rarely do right now (I tend to carry the baby and DH carries the toddler!).
Reu went in the toddlerhawk from just over a year old, I started folding the bottom up to make it fit better, which worked fine, then he grew into it.
As for wearing for a long time, I have done some very long walks with Reu in it, and I can still carry him in it comfortably (he is nearly 4), albeit not for as long! I also found it great when travelling, as it will roll up to small and you can quickly whip it out and on if needed.
I used to use a stretchy wrap all the time for dds when little so thought I would have no problem with a woven but I really couldn’t get the hang of it. I struggled with tying them onto me rather than tying the wrap then popping them in. So I sold the ellaroo wrap I’d got off eBay and got a preloved mei tai (don’t know what kind) from the baby wearing swap yahoo group - a selling/swapping group for slings. Cost me £15 and I love it. Really easy to get dd3 on my back (maybe practise over the bed ir sofa 1st time). Can carry her a long time on my back. Not so long on the front though. Hth
I have both. If I know we’re going to be walking a long way or over rough ground then the woven is the one I choose. I’ve had it for around 5 years now and no idea what type it is, I think I got it from a babywearing forum…..I had a couple but this is my favoite and so the keeper. I have 2 mei tai’s - an Ellaroo and a BabyHawk. Both are still a good size for H age 3 in June, but she is only dinky, she’s around 95cms and weighs 25lbs, still fitting into 18-24m clothes. I prefer the BabyHawk over the Ellaroo as it is just that little bit more comfortable but like both enough to keep both Both are great or keeping in the bag and then getting on when she decides she’s had enough, for instance when we go to the car boot sale and she starts getting bored/tired/grumpy. Also have a couple of ring slings but only use these for very quick carry’s, for instance if we go shopping and she nods off in the car she’s usually too grumpy/sleepy to walk so I’ll slip her in the ring sling and have a quick dash around. If you think you’ll be carrying for a while longer, and have the money, then I’d definitely go for both a mei tai and a woven
I’ve owned a lot of slings over the past 5.5 years! I now
Have 2 wrap strapped Mie ties - one is a maya tie and the other is a custom conversion by melkaj - she cut up my girasol woven wrap and converted it to a mt . Wrap straps on a mt are a fab compromise giving the comfort of a
Wrap with the ease of a mt. Take a look at the maya tie website of you have no
Idea what I’m talking about!
MT with thick straps. I have a Joey slings MT that I find as comfortable as a wrap but with the bonus that it is quicker to get on and off and smaller to shove in a bag.
What would you recommend, and which is easier? Will they both go to toddlerhood no problem?
Both are great or keeping in the bag and then getting on when she decides she’s had enough, for instance when we go to the car boot sale and she starts getting bored/tired/grumpy. Also have a couple of ring slings but only use these for very quick carry’s, for instance if we go shopping and she nods off in the car she’s usually too grumpy/sleepy to walk so I’ll slip her in the ring sling and have a quick dash around. If you think you’ll be carrying for a while longer, and have the money, then I’d definitely go for both a mei tai and a woven 
