On the Back with a Mei Tai

This position is suitable for babies who can comfortably support their own head (from about 3 months old).

Note: In the photos below I’m already 7 months pregnant and my Vasilis weighs 15 kilos! Even so, this position is still one of the most comfortable ones I use to carry my baby!

1. Hold the Mei Tai behind your waist by the short (waist) straps. If your Mei Tai has a “good” side, then it should now be “facing” your legs.

2. Tie the straps in front at your waist…

3. Hold your baby in your arms on your side, above your hip, and carefully swing them onto your back, passing your arm over their head and supporting it.

4. Leaning forward, bring your baby to the center of your back. (Alternatively, especially if your baby is younger than six months, you can get your baby onto your back in whatever way works best for you.)

5. Lift the central panel (body) of your Mei Tai up over your baby’s back and bring the straps over your shoulders to the front. Note: If your baby can’t yet sit up on their own, make sure the fabric reaches high up their back, covering their shoulders.

6. Tighten the straps well by pulling them forward (or toward the floor if that works better for you), so that the fabric is well tensioned across the baby’s back and there is no gap between the fabric and the baby’s bottom (nor between the baby and your back).

7. Keeping the straps taut, guide them under your armpits toward your back.

(see alternative tying method)

8. Cross them behind your baby’s back, twist them once around each other, and then pass them under the baby’s legs toward the front, around your waist. (This method is called Lexi twist, see alternative tying method)

9. Holding the straps with both hands, do a little hop in place, so that for one second the baby’s weight lifts off the Mei Tai and you can pull the straps forward, tightening them as needed.

10. Tie a knot in front at your waist and you’re ready to go out! Your baby is safe and comfortable in your Mei Tai!

In the photo alongside I’m carrying Rea on my back, at 6 weeks old.

Even though she can’t yet support her head well, my Mei Tai is made in such a way that it supports it for her (a higher top part, with padding).

I also carry her very high, so that I can hear her and feel her breath on my neck. For this reason I’ve tied the Mei Tai straps above my chest.

Her little legs are tucked inside the Mei Tai (like a little frog, with knees open, higher than her bottom).

This way you can carry even a newborn baby in this position. It would be a good idea, though, the first time you try it, to have someone with you to watch your baby at every step!

Another way to carry your baby on your back with a Mei Tai, if you want the reassurance that they are “tied in” and you’re holding them at all times, is described here.

read more: “On the Back with a Mei Tai”

If you’re just starting babywearing now and getting your baby onto your back is difficult for you, you can try this easy way:

How to carry your baby with the Mei Tai on your back, using your bed:

Video: On the Back with a Mei Tai carrier (8.13 MB)

How to take your baby out of the Mei Tai, using your bed:

Video: Laying the baby down on the bed (2.82 MB)

How to carry your baby on your back with your Mei Tai tied in advance:

Video: On the Back with the Mei Tai tied in advance (9.39 MB)

back to: Mei Tai instructions