What are the dimensions of a M.O.M. Tai? TOP
Body: 16.5"w X 20"h
Hood: 9"h and tapered
Do I have to wear a M.O.M. Tai apron- or non-apron style? TOP
You can wear the M.O.M. Tai either way, and you can even roll the bottom to make it shorter for smaller babies! Each tying style allows a range of body lengths you can customize to fit your child.
I personally rolled mine until my children were somewhere over a year old, then wore it apron-style until they got to be 3-ish yearl old, and then went to non-apron after that.
How do I fit the body length to my child? TOP
It's a matter of what turns out to be comfortable for both of you, but generally:
- baby should be able to put his/her arms out over the top without it digging into his/her armpits.
- with arms in, baby should be able to "sink in" so that a line drawn between the top straps would be about even with the base of his/her neck.
- any extra head support can be created by wither putting up the hood and tying/snapping it into place, or by stuffing the hood for a padded headrest.
Can I wear a newborn baby in a M.O.M. Tai? TOP
Yes!
- roll the hood and flip it inside the storage flap (like an old fashioned sandwich bag closure) to make a padded head support
- tie the bottom straps of the carrier on apron style snugly and with a square knot (rolling it shorter first if needed)
- lay the baby on your chest/stomach so that his/her legs are inside the fabric, and his/her head is at the height that you can easily kiss the baby and hear him/her breathe
- pull the body up behind the baby so that the head rest is right behind baby's ears
- cross the straps behind your back
- bring them back to the front
- tie them behind baby's shoulder blades in a square knot
- baby's legs should be comfortably curled or "froggied" inside the carrier
- baby's back should be well-supported, and sides of the carrier must be sealed shut by the top straps being tied behind baby.
- check frequently that baby's head is leaning slightly back, and that it is never slumped forward chin to chest to ensure a nice open airway.
- Listen to your baby breathing to ensure an open airway. You should hear breath moving in and out freely. Adjust baby's position or remove baby if you hear grunting or snoring.
