Meh Dai Tutorial

Pronounced "MAY-dye." May also be called a "Bei dai." Formerly referred to a " mei tai" (which is still used by some commercial brands); this spelling and pronunciation, however, is not accurate to the carrier's history and should be avoided.

Traditional Chinese origin.

Infantino Sash Padded Narrow Straps Image sourced from infantino.com	Fidella Wrap-Strap Mei Dai in Blossom Bubble Gum Padded-to-wrap straps Image sourced from fidella.org	Half Buckle Wrap Conversion Meh Dai with hood Image sourced from Etsy shop Obimama

Description

A rectangular body panel with two long shoulder straps coming out of the top corners diagonally and two shorter waist straps coming out of the bottom corners horizontally. The carrier is tied around the waist hanging down, "wrong-side" out like an apron, and then pulled up over baby. The shoulder straps go over the shoulders, under the arms, and either tie under baby's bum or cross over baby, under baby's legs and then tie.

Good For

• Front Carries: Good for all ages
• Hip Carries: Good for babies with strong truck control
• Back Carries: All ages (for experienced wearers only)
• Forward Facing: Good for babies with strong head control and decent truck control; usually requires the carrier to be modified/cinched narrower.

Advantages

Incredibly easy to learn to use. Flexible sizing can fit multiple parents. Offers wrap-like support with the ease of a buckle carrier. Ability (with experience and care to monitor breathing) to back carry newborns safely. Waist-strap and two shoulder straps offer good weight distribution for long wearing. Easy to adjust panel size (by rolling the waistband or cinching the bottom) to fit a newborn.

Disadvantages

Panel size is dependent on child's size. Therefore a parent who chooses to wear as their baby reaches toddlerhood or preschooler age may need to upgrade to a toddler-size or preschool-size carrier.

Variations

• Wrap strap: Straps are wide (10"-15") and flat like a woven wrap.
• Narrow or "Tube" strap: Straps are sewn into a flattened tube (narrower, usually around 4", and double layered.)
• Padded straps: Section of the shoulder straps closest to the body panel include padding, usually either fleece or open cell foam.
• Half-buckle: Waist straps include a buckle closure instead of a tie closure.
• Ring-waist: One waist strap is replaced by double sling rings, which the other waist strap is threaded through like a D-ring belt.

Sizing

Body panel size is based on child's size. Body panel should be tall enough to reach at least up to baby's armpits but not so tall that baby's airway is obstructed. (The waist band can be "rolled" an extra time to shorten a too-tall panel.) The width should be wide enough to support baby's legs from knee-pit to knee-pit, while still allowing the legs to swing freely at the knee. (The body panel can be cinched with a ribbon or hair tie to make it narrower for smaller babies.) The strap length is determined by the wearer's size. Most mei tai strap lengths are considered one-size-fits-most.

How to Use

• Basic Meh Dai Front Carry
• How to Use a Meh Dai with a Newborn
• Meh Dai High Back Carry
• Meh Dai Hip Carry
• Printable Instruction Card: mehdai_instructioncard.pdf (Great for including with gifts)