Babyhawk
A Babyhawk is a mei tai carrier that can be used on your front, back or hip.
We have a Babyhawk XT in our Bursledon Sling Library which was purchased using funds raised from the hire of other slings and a Babyhawk in our Swaythling Sling Library which was purchased for us by SureStart Children’s Centres Southampton.
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I LOVE my Babyhawk! I can easily carry my 10 month old (20lb) or my 3y (27lb) in it. The padded shoulder sraps make it very comfortable and i also have a pocket in mine which is great for putting the keys, phone or dummy in and keeping them close to hand. I find it easy to put on either on my back or front. The only thing i would say is if you are a size 18+ the straps can be a bit tight in the front carry if you are wearing a coat. But there is plenty of length for the back carry. I can carry either of my girls in this for a hour or more. A briliant sling, which i hope to use for sometime yet. Im not sure how it compares to other mei tai’s as this is the only one iv had, but what won me over was the padded straps and the choice of fabrics (i have minki one side for colder days).
I love my Babyhawk too! Really easy to use, which is particularly useful with baby brain syndrome. Found it super comfy and get lots of admiring comments when wearing it. Only downside is putting it on outside when its wet on the ground, I haven’t yet found a way to put it on without getting ends of straps wet.
Best all round sling!
I used it from birth (10lb). Still going strong at 20lbs (6 months) and expect to use it a good while yet.
It has no buckles (which the Ergo does) but infact it makes it easier to get a good fit and so quick to put on and do up.
Amazing choice of fabrics.
I have even breastfed in this (few weeks old) just by releasing some length into one of he shoulder straps and getting my baby to feed vertically off me.
Plus points – quick & very easy to put on, funky desgins, comfortable to wear, birth to toddler usage, can bf with a bit of ‘wiggling’
Negatives – long straps are boring to manage (fall on ground when you put on), newborns can slump down.
We have recently graduated to this mai tei and agree with the wet strap syndrome but overall we love it. It is one universal sling that my fella doesn’t mind wearing as the colours/patterns aren’t too girlie.
We also opted for the minki version to keep the little one warm, with both our body heat it get really snuggly, though his legs need hand warming now and again.
Felt really safe with him on my back this last week with all the snow and ice, far easier to walk the dog in confidence.
I borrowed the Babyhawk from the library and I loved it, it is so easy to use and very comfy. As per other comments you can get wet straps but it’s a small sacrifice in my opinion. It came in really handy when we went to the fireworks display in the pouring rain, I carried my son on my front and we snuggled into my waterproof coat and he was not phased by the noisy fireworks at all.
I recently purchased a Toddlerhawk on the back of using the sling meets Babyhawk, I had it custom made with the minki lining and I love it. It’s great for the pre-school run, normally when we are running late.
I borrowed this in December and it’s been great – my favourite Mei Tai so far!
Positives:
Padding on the shoulder straps helps the wearers comfort. The fleece (minki) lining is really cozy and my 8-9month old baby looked really snuggly in it – it’s a great winter sling. He’s quite a tall baby and there is still good support for his neck in this sling. This was used by several family members over Christmas and they all loved it too – even my dad said it was easy to use!
Negatives:
As others have said above the straps can fall on the floor and get wet if you’re putting it on outside but I haven’t found a mei tai yet that doesn’t have that problem. It took me a bit of practice to get baby carries right, but I’ve found that with most slings, just need to persevere!
So overall, I loved it (and will be buying one as soon as I find one for sale secondhand!).