To start babywearing with a mei tai, you'll probably do a basic front carry. These instructions are for the basic "apron style" front carry. Some mei tais have thickly padded waistbands and are designed to be tied "non-apron style." For them, simply tie with the waist band positioned such that the body of the carrier comes straight up from the top of the waistband; there is no need to create a seat as shown here.

Let the body of the mei tai hang down in front of you like an apron. Tie a square knot in back. The body fabric will form a seat. Hold your baby against your body, tummy to tummy. (A newborn's legs should simply be curled up, similar to the fetal position. A baby not quite big enough to wrap his legs around you can have one leg tucked inside the body of the carrier and one wrapped around you.)




Always supporting your baby with one hand, lift up the body of the mei tai and put the straps over your shoulders. Lifting the the baby with one hand, grasp both straps behind your back and pull to remove the slack. Removing the slack is important; the baby should be firmly supported by the mei tai and held snugly to your body. Cross the straps behind your back. Bring them under your arms to your front, and tie a square knot behind the baby's back. (With bigger babies, you may tie the straps under their bottom; with newborns, you MUST tie the straps behind their back to support their back and prevent them from slouching into a chin-to-chest position, which is dangerous because it restricts their breathing.)



Note how this baby is snugly (and happily) held against her mother: