Infantino Mei Tai - Question re Newborn Usage

crestedlady

I am a complete novice babywearer and recently bought this carrier to try out with our second son since it seemed like an affordable option to see if baby wearing may be for us.
On the box, the recommended minimum weight is 8 pounds. Since my newborn (2 days old) is 7 pounds 1 ounce at the moment and may lose a bit more before he starts regaining weight, I wondered if there are any simple adjustments that could be made to how the carrier is worn (for example, rolling the waist band) that may make it appropriate/safe to use at his current weight? My only concern with waiting to use the carrier is that by the time he's gained enough to meet the minimum recommendation, I may be set into a routine that works for us and less likely to try it out. Thanks.

ncbelle

The 8 pound thing is a liability caution - just like how many toys that you'd give a toddler say "age 3 and up".

BUT…you do want to be of course more cautious with a smaller baby.  Likely you will want to wear legs in until he is a touch bigger.  Wraps and ring slings are an easier fit on a small baby - but MTs are doable.

When he's a bit bigger, you can modify the MT to do legs out like this:  https://www.becomingmamas.com/mei-tai-101-using-a-mei-tai-with-your-newborn/

crestedlady

Thanks so much guys...I really appreciate the recommendations! With our first, we borrowed a friends soft structured carrier, but I could never seem to get the right fit and all the buckles and straps for it got on my nerves. A lot of people at our local baby wearing group swear by their ring slings, so maybe I will check with the leader and see if there is anything in the lending library that may work for us so that I could get a feel for that kind of carrier too.

opheliainwaders

Just chiming in to strongly recommend the ring sling with a tiny one. DD was just under 5 lbs at her smallest, and I had no problem keeping her in the right position using the ring sling. Bonus is that, now that she's bigger, it's great for a hip-carry when she wants to be constantly up and down.