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I love baby wearing! The benefits seem to be endless: bonding and co-regulating, a baby who cries less often, fewer missed hunger cues. The list goes on and on! I'm going to share some of my favorites, starting with the meh dai. Read on for my review of the meh dai baby carrier.
Many of the families that I work with are so excited to show me the carriers that they registered for. I love seeing what you picked! A lot of times families talk about how they picked the ones that are "easiest" to use. I encourage my clients to choose the easiest path for everything for at least the first 6 weeks postpartum. I don't want anything to be harder than it needs to be while you are learning how to take care of your new baby.
I'm just going to say the hard thing: new parents are often victims of marketing, and baby carriers are no exception. Regardless of what kind of carrier you use, it will take some practice and getting used to. That is unavoidable! You have to learn how it works and learn how to make it work for you. Then, you have to get it to work for your baby who is forever changing sizes and needing adjustments.
Meh Dais
A meh dai is a square piece of cloth with 4 straps. This style of carrier originated in China. It is somewhere in between a wrap and a more structured carrier. This is a type of carrier, not a brand, and it can be a little tricky to find. Here are some of the ones that I like:
Helina: not currently sold on their website, but worth keeping an eye on
You can also search Etsy for handmade ones
Review
I love this type of carrier for its versatility. Although these carriers tend to me a little pricier than a wrap, the additional structure allows for comfort for wearing your child beyond the newborn stage.
Completely customizable size for adult carrier
No buckles or clips to mess with
Some structure but works for all ages/weights
Can be used for a front or back carrier (depending on age of child)
Multiple ways to tie
Simple!
Come learn with me!
If you are in Chicago, you can join me to hear me rant in person about baby carrier marketing. I teach Baby Wearing at the Birth Center of Chicago every couple of months. In class we cover:
History of baby wearing
Safety
Types of carriers
How to choose the right carrier for your body
My next class is June 7th and you can register here.