Mei Tai Instructions

Instructions for Your Padded Purrfect Mei Tai

(Click links to view demonstration videos.)

Please remember that learning to use a baby carrier is a little like riding a bicycle. It will take some time and practice to be able to quickly and easily place your child comfortably and securely inside. After a few tries, it will become second nature. Try it first with a doll or stuffed animal. Then try with your child. You will have more success learning to use your Padded Purrfect Mei Tai if your baby is rested and fed before you start.

Front Carry (tummy hold):

With the padded shoulder straps facing downward, tie the waist straps around your waist as you would an apron.
Hold baby facing you against your chest with one hand. With your free hand bring the body of the Mei Tai up to cover baby’s back.
Then while holding mei tai and baby, bring the straps up over your shoulders.
Cross the straps in an X across your back and bring excess straps to front under your arms.
Tie the straps in front either under baby’s bottom, or around baby’s back.

Front Carry (Kangaroo style):

With the padded shoulder straps facing downward, tie the waist straps around your waist as you would an apron.
Hold baby with his back to your chest with one hand. With your free hand bring the body of the Mei Tai up to cover baby’s front. (Baby’s legs should be crossed Indian style or folded up "froggy" style.)
Then while holding mei tai and baby, bring the straps up over your shoulders.
Cross the straps in an X across your back and bring excess straps to front.
Tie the straps in front either under baby’s bottom, or around baby’s back.

Hip Carry:

With the padded shoulder straps facing downward and the body of the mei tai centered over your hip, tie the waist straps around your waist as you would an apron.
Set baby on your hip facing you against your side with one hand. With your free hand bring the body of the Mei Tai up to cover baby’s back.
Then while holding mei tai and baby, bring the rear strap across your back then forward over your opposite shoulder (the side baby is not on).
Bring the front strap across your chest then back over the shoulder (the same one you just brought the back strap over).
Now one strap should hang to your front, the other to the back. With one strap in either hand, do the "bounce" to snug up any slack.
Tie the straps securely under baby’s bottom.

Back Carry (bed method):

Lay mei tai on bed. Then center baby on the mei tai.
Bring waist straps inside under and between baby’s legs and then outside over her thighs.
Sit on the bed with your backside between baby’s legs. Tie waist straps around your waist.
Lean backwards, grab shoulder straps, and sit up while pulling shoulder straps tight over your shoulders, so baby is “trapped” between you and the mei tai.
Cross the straps in an X across your chest and bring excess straps under your arms around the back.
Tie the straps in back either under baby’s bottom or around baby’s back.

Back Carry (toss method):

Lay mei tai on bed. Then center baby on the mei tai.
Bring shoulder straps up snuggly under baby’s arms and grip them tightly with one hand near baby’s chest so you can lift baby up in one hand by the straps. (Please do this a few times over a bed until you get the hang of it. Your baby’s safety is YOUR responsibility!!!)
“Toss” baby over your shoulder like Santa would put his pack up. With your free hand separate the two shoulder straps so you can bring one to the other side over your head.
Lean forward to “balance” baby on your back and place the shoulder straps tightly gripped between your knees.
Grab the waist straps and pass them between baby’s legs before tying them around your waist. (They may also be tied above your bust line for a “High Back Carry”…this brings the pouch up higher on your back.)
Finally, Grab the shoulder straps from between your knees, cross them across your chest in an X and bring the excess under your arms to the back.
Tie the straps in back either under baby’s bottom or around baby’s back.

Rucksack Carry:

Begin as you would for a Back Carry, but instead of crossing straps in an X across your chest, bring them under your arms.
Bring the straps in an X under baby's bottom.
Tie....or continue to bring them around to your front and tie.

Getting baby off your back:

We recommend using the reverse of the bed method. Please see video.
Be sure to keep firm tension with your hands on the straps or a good grasp of your baby at all times.

*It may be helpful the first few times to do this on a soft surface such as a bed or couch or have a friend or family member help baby into place and back down when using a back carry, until your become more comfortable with these techniques.

These are just a few carrying techniques to get you started. As you become more familiar with your Padded Purrfect Mei Tai, you will discover what positions work best for you and may even develop some of your own. For more information on babywearing and carrying techniques visit www.thebabywearer.com.