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| Ring Sling and Mei Tai: how to choose |
If you are thinking of buying a ring sling or a mei tai, you will be probably wondering which kind is the best for you and your baby and which one matches better quality and price.
Here is our own experience as “kangaroo parents”, started with stretch sling.
Mei Tai
A mei tai is a kind of pouch entirely made with cotton or hemp cloth (the more “chic” version could be made with linen or even silk). A mei tai can be used from birth until
the baby is 15 kg, but the real limit of weight would be the one the carrier can bear.
The most important thing about a baby sling or a mei tai is the posture of your baby once into the sling. A baby sling or a mei tai holds your baby as when he is in your arms, so his posture would be 100% physiological!
On the contrary thou, inside a normal carrier, your baby will be “hanging”, unloading all his weight on his genitals, like in a body harnesses used for the bungee-jumping.
The carer will not be comfortable neither as all the weight of your baby will be on the neck and on the back!
With a mei tai - because of the wideness of the braces - the weight of your baby will be dropped off on your body and legs making you feel nice and comfortable.
There are many kinds of mei tai, with or without stuffed back and braces, with or without the head holder (a piece of material added to the main body of the mei tai to help holding your baby’s head – also see what is a mei tai?), the ones that look like a backpack, etc.
My personal choice has been the “classic” mei tai, the one without stuffing and entirely made in cotton. The cotton material is ideal for any season and the stuffing back and braces are not necessary as the comfort of a mei tai comes from the wideness of the braces.
I started using a mei tai when my little one was already 5 months. I am still using it now that she is one and I will keep using it as long as I will be able to carry her weight. I find the mei tai quite versatile, practical and easy to wear.
The ring sling
A ring sling is a length of cloth sewn to two non allergic aluminium rings, specifically made for the purpose. A ring sling is very comfortable to carry newborn and allows easy and discreet breastfeeding. When your child will start walking, a ring sling will be ideal for the ups and downs form your arms. This sling is quick and easy to wear and it takes very little room in your bag. The rings are made for the porpose, so that the sling will never lose by itself doesn’t matter what kind of material has been used.
The ring sling too encourages a physiological posture for your baby, just as mommy’s hug.
Also for this kind of sling there is a wide range of choice: stuffed, with an open or closed tail, with big or medium rings etc.
My advice, as first time babyweares, is not to choose something to difficult to use: too many accessories and optional are not always useful and anyway expensive. At the beginning, try something easy for you and for your child.
So what is your choice? Mei tai or ring sling?
Enjoy your babywearing everyone! ;-)
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| Ring Sling |
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