- How do I know which carrier body style is right for me?
Don't panic! With a couple exceptions, style choices are largely a matter of aesthetics rather than function.
In general, any style can be used for a non-stretch carrier.
For stretch carriers, the best styles are flop-over otp, arched, or gently rounded. A straight-across back or framed back might
be possible, depending on your fabric choices.
The one functional style choice is the padded back. In a padded-back carrier, a strip of padding about 3" tall is inserted
inside the top of the carrier body. The padded adds support to a light-weight carrier where the carrier holds the
the baby's shoulders. The padded area can be made from strapping fabric, or non-stretch body fabric,
depending on your aesthetic preference. The padded back is recommended for light-weight carriers; for carriers using
medium or heavy-weight fabric, the fabric may already be quite supportive.
- Which strap style is best?
Either one! Orders run about 50/50, and there's really no consensus on which strap style is best or
most comfortable. It's a very individual preference.
One consideration might be the length of your straps. If you need very long straps, you might want to
keep in mind that wide, long straps will make the finished carrier heavier and bulkier to store.
Another consideration might be the strapping fabric you choose. Lighter-weight strapping fabrics work best as
wide straps, and heavier-weight fabrics work best as padded straps. Medium weight fabrics can work well for
either strap style.
- How big are your carriers?
The body of finished Dreamhaven Baby Mei Tai carriers are typically about 18" tall by 16" wide.
Body size can be adjusted to fit particular needs upon request.
- What is a 'standard' strap length?
Standard (medium) strap length for DreamHaven Baby Mei Tai carriers is 54" for each shoulder strap, and 28" for each waist strap.
Standard length straps should fit up to about a women's size 12.
Long length straps typically add about 6-8" to each shoulder strap and 6-8" to each waist strap. This strap length
typically fits up to a Men's shirt size XL.
Straps should be sized to the largest person who will wear the carrier. Smaller wearers can tuck in the extra
length after tying the straps, or wrap straps around their waist an extra time before tying.
- What age child will carriers fit?
DreamHaven Baby Mei Tai carriers are recommended from about 3 months through toddler.
At the buyer's discretion, the carrier may be usable for younger or older children. However, the user should
use their best judgement when wearing infants or heavier toddlers.
- What's the weight limit for the carriers?
Since each carrier is custom-made, it's impossible to state a weight limit that will cover all carriers. However,
most carriers should be useful for children even beyond 25 pounds.
- What's a Podegi and why would I choose it instead of a Mei Tai?
A Podegi is a carrier styled from traditional Korean baby carriers. Instead of a pair of shoulder straps and
a pair of waist straps, a podegi carrier has a single pair of very long shoulder straps.
Podegis are great for carrying a child on the back. Many experienced carrier users find that they can get their child into
a back-carry position without help much easier in a podegi than in a mei tai. We recommend that you try doing so without
help only after lots of practice.
With wearing a podegi, the straps may first be threaded over or under the user's shoulders and may tie off either above
the breasts or at the waist. With any podegi carry, the straps cross in back by going over the child's hips, crossing
over his or her bottom, then are threaded under the child's legs and back to the wearer's front to be tied. The straps themselves
support most of the child's weight, as opposed to a mei tai, in which the carrier body carriers much of the support burden.
There are many ways to thread and tie Podegi straps. We're working on our own instructions, but until then, you can
find many options by going a Web search for 'podegi instructions'.
- How do I wash my carrier?
It's best to spot-wash your carrier or hand-wash as needed. However, most carriers can be machine-washed
using warm or cool water. Use a gentle wash cycle with your carrier.
It's best to lay the carrier flat to dry, but most carriers may be machine-dried with low or no heat.
If you opt to machine-wash your carrier, wash with like colors and a small amount of detergent. Pay attention while
washing in case the straps get tangled or knotted.
- How do I fold and store my carrier?
Some people "roll" the body from bottom up, then fold the resulting roll in half, and "roll" it from body to the ends
of the straps. Others prefer to fold each strap into the body first, then "roll" the body from top to bottom, and fold the
resulting roll in half again. Any way you do it is fine!
Carriers should be stored in a clean and dry place indoors. When storing long-term the carrier should first be
washed and thoroughly dried.
For long-term storage or for storing the carrier between uses, you may find it easiest to put the carrier in a
bag of some kind. This will help keep the straps from "exploding" and getting tangled--especially if you're strong it
in a diaper bag or other container in which the contents move around alot.
DreamHaven Baby offers matching, custom-made drawstring carrier storage & transport bags. See the
Accessories page or te Bags & Totes section for more information.
- What else should I do to take care of my carrier?
You should inspect your carrier frequently, preferrably every time you use it, to make sure that all the seams
are tight and closed, and that the fabric is not showing wear or tear. If your carrier is damanged in any way,
you should immediately cease use until it has been repaired.
We are happy to offer complimentary repair for any DreamHaven Baby carrier. However, you are responsible for shipping
both ways if the carrier is more than 30 days old, or if the repair is necessary because of damange or excessive wear (rather than
due to a manufacturing defect).
