The winning pair
Ring sling and mei tai: two clean-looking baby carriers that perfectly complement stylish outfits as well. However, these two carriers were not included in our selection purely for their looks, but also because they form an ideal pair and accompany us from birth until the very last babywearing moments. They complement each other wonderfully in various babywearing situations.
The ring sling can be used with a baby of any size. Many people love it during the early period, and for many it comes back into intensive use during the phase when the child keeps asking to be picked up and put down. In the meantime, it continuously serves well when we only want to carry the baby for shorter periods.
And if we go for a longer walk or hike, from a weight of 5–6 kg we can already use the mei tai as well, which better supports these situations with its more even weight distribution.
If both are on hand, we can choose the most comfortable solution for us at any age and in any situation.
Which baby carrier should I use?
Below, we share some considerations and related information that will make it easier for you to decide whether the ema design mei tai, the ring sling, or perhaps a combination of the two will be the ideal solution for you.
From when can I use it?
The ema design ring sling can be used from the very first moments for front and hip carries.
Babies grow into the ema design mei tai at around 5–6 kg body weight, from which point it can be properly adjusted to fit them. This also depends on the baby's body proportions and the wearer's size, as they will fill out the carrier together. Thus, for example, it may happen that when carried on the front, the carrier can already be adjusted perfectly to a smaller baby on the mother, while when tied on the father it is still a bit loose, as men have a flatter chest.
The width of the carrier at the base can be adjusted to almost any small size, so it is really the upper part of the back panel that babies need to grow into. Fortunately, there is a method to narrow the back panel as well: routing the shoulder straps under the armpits. With this method, we can adjust the ema design mei tai to fit many babies weighing around five kilos, because this allows us to eliminate any slack at the top of the back panel.
So, if your baby is already around five kilos, go ahead and try them in the ema design mei tai. If the carrier provides stable support, you can already use it. If it is still a bit wide at the top, try routing the straps under the armpits. If it is still a bit loose, don't worry: babies can grow a lot in just a few weeks and will grow into this in no time. Until then, you have the ring sling!
How long can I use it?
The ring sling can be used indefinitely; the only limit is our own endurance.
With the ema design mei tai, our experience is that for an average-sized child in indoor clothes, it usually fits up to around 2.5–3 years of age.
The width of the mei tai can be extended for quite a long time by routing the shoulder straps outside the child's legs (i.e., not between the child's legs and the back of the person carrying). This way, we can support longer little legs in a position where the knees are at least at the same level as the baby's bottom. To do this, we adjust the shoulder straps to the child's knee crease, smoothing them out nicely there.
With quite large children, it may be worth tying the waistband lower on ourselves, so that our centers of gravity remain close to each other and carrying remains comfortable.
In which situations?
The main profile of the ring sling is hip carrying, but with very little ones in the first few months, many people also love to use it on the front. Once the baby has stable head control, we can even carry them on our back in it, but for longer back carrying, we recommend the ema design mei tai.
With an older baby, families tend to use the ring sling for shorter periods. It is very practical with a toddler who frequently asks to be picked up and put down.
Most people can nurse easily and discreetly in it, and bottle-feeding also works well with it. It excellently supports non-vertical carrying positions (reclined, reclined-turned, semi-seated). When putting it on, it doesn't drag on the floor, and when not in use, it takes up very little space
With the mei tai, you can also carry on the front, hip, and back. For back carrying, this is what we primarily recommend. If you want to carry for longer periods or go hiking, the mei tai is the one for you!
In all seasons?
Yes, both the mei tai and the ring sling are all-season carriers. Basically, both are well-ventilated and belong among the lighter, breezier baby carriers.
Between the two, the ring sling is the more summery option, as only a single layer of airy woven fabric wraps around us, and over a very small body area. In the case of the mei tai, the straps also cover the wearer's waist and shoulders, but it is not enclosed on the sides, so it provides good ventilation there.
In colder weather, we can put both carriers on over warmer clothing, or use them dressed together with the baby.
The wearer's considerations
A ring sling is a good choice if you want to avoid a waistband touching your belly, for instance, after a cesarean section. Choose this as well if you want a carrier that takes up little space when not in use.
If you want a carrier that distributes weight symmetrically across both shoulders, and even spreads it towards your waist, then a mei tai is ideal. We recommend this carrier for heavier babies and longer carrying sessions as well.
Learning and using both carriers can be done relatively quickly, so there isn't much difference between them in this respect.
Which is better for the baby?
In both carriers, you can carry your baby in a secure, comfortable position that feels natural and supports healthy hip development. This means the child is well supported, doesn't wobble in the carrier, is in a comfortable spread-squat position, and their knees are higher than their bottom.
Both carriers allow you to follow your baby's development. Initially, you can support the baby's head, and once they can hold it steadily and want to look around curiously, you can adjust the carriers to match this need. An older child wanting more freedom can also put their arms out while remaining safe. Increasingly curious little ones can also be carried on the hip, and with a mei tai, you can easily carry them on your back as well.
Hip carrying can even be used as a therapeutic tool if your baby needs to receive stimuli from a specific direction.
If for any reason it is important that no fabric passes between the child's legs, choose a ring sling. However, if the goal is specifically to keep the baby in a spread-squat position, then a mei tai is ideal.
If you want to be able to reach for the right carrier in different situations and ages, choose both! The ring sling and the mei tai are ideal complements to each other. Don't forget, if you buy two baby carriers, you can purchase the more expensive one with a 10% discount!
If you are still unsure which carrier is right for you, write to us! We also warmly welcome you to our free babywearing consultationas well, where we can help you with personalized advice.
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