Front Carry in a Mei Tai

1. Start off by taking the short straps and tying them around your waist. The carrier should hang from your waist like an apron does (don't fold it before tying it on).

Be sure to tie the straps snugly as your waist will hold a bulk of baby’s weight.

2.Pick baby up and hold her with one hand on your front with her legs around your waist.

 

3.While supporting your child with one hand, reach down with the other to pull the carrier up between baby’s legs and over her body (see right). Place the shoulder straps over each of your shoulders. Check to see that the carrier is smooth against baby’s legs for her comfort.

4.Still supporting your baby with one hand, reach behind you and gather both of the shoulder straps with your free hand.

5. At this point, the baby is secure in the carrier with the shoulder straps you are holding so you can leg go of baby and reach around with your other hand to grab a strap.

6.Cross the straps, trying not to let them twist for your comfort (right).

7. Once you have crossed the straps bring them back around to tie either under baby’s butt (provides more support for a heavier child) or behind baby's back (provides back support for a younger baby).

TIP: Baby should not be hanging low but sitting up higher on your chest. This may require you to pull on the straps a bit and give a little wiggle to get the carrier up higher. Or push baby and carrier up a bit with the one hand before reaching around to the back to cross the straps.

TIP: To ensure that baby is up high enough and that the carrier is tight enough to be extra comfortable, give a little bounce as you pull the straps together and tie the knot tight.