Asian Baby Carriers (ABC)

Picture
© Leanbh Babywearing 2015
Wrap conversion meh dai made from Vatanai Denim Whales by Opitai
Full Buckle Onbu by NovaBaby Carriers.
Meh Dai:

These are a traditional type of Asian baby carrier. They are usually made of a rectangle shaped piece of fabric, which fits around the baby’s body with long straps at the top and the bottom. The shorter pair of straps tie around the wearer’s waist and the longer pair are crossed over the wearer’s body, brought forward to cross over the baby’s bottom and then tied around the wearer’s waist.

Meh dais can be used on the wearer’s front or back and as the weight is spread across both shoulders, they are very comfortable for long periods and with heavier babies.

They can be used by different sized adults without any adjustments and are suitable for babies until well into toddlerhood.

Meh dais come in a huge range of fabric designs.  They are very easy to use and often it is possible to order a custom design with a fabric of your choice, such as a Wrap Conversion Meh Dai.



Podaegi:

A Podaegi (Pod) is a variation on a mei tai, and originated in Korea.  It is made of a rectangle shaped piece of fabric and has 2 long straps attached to one end.  The fabric is placed over the baby’s back and the straps are crossed over the wearers shoulders and across the baby’s bottom and under the legs and tied off usually on the wearers waist.

The straps often come in two options, angled or straight.  Angled straps are the preferred option for front carrying, rucksack style carrying or hip carrying.  Straight straps are even more versatile as they can be used for the same carries as the angled straps but also for back carrying with a chestbelt, a torso carry and a back wrap cross carry.  Pods can be used from birth, are very versatile and can be swapped between wearers easily.

 
Onbuhimo:

Onbuhimo (Onbu) is another variation of a mei tai, and originated in Japan.  It is very like the Podaegi except it has 2 loops at each side at the bottom of the fabric for the long straps to thread through.  New hybrid versions of this sling are called buckle onbu.