Australia 1951

What were the baby carrier options available in the 30's, 40's and 50's? It was far more common for babies babies to be transported in prams but some parents did carry their babies at least occasionally. The most commonly found options were repurposed car seats, homemade carriers and hip carriers.  Of course traditional babywearing was still practised in some places too.  This article mainly focuses on Australia and New Zealand but the United States and the UK had some similar trends.

In the 1930's I couldn't find any advertisements or photos of commerically made carriers (although I did find one mention of them).  There were several homemade patterns puplished in newspapers so that seems to be the most popular option (often suggested as handy for parents to take with them holidays). These carriers looked like little canvas seats with handles. This changed in the 1940's when a pram shortage (caused by supply disruptions and materials being redirected for the war effort) led to a mini babywearing boom.  There were also less home delivery options available which made the war years difficult for mums with small babies.

In December 1941 there were 950 prams were manufactured in Victoria, Australia but by November 1942 the current production was down to 450 (more than half) and at the same time there was a steady increase in the birth rate. This caused some consternation about how to transport baby without a pram. One New Zealand newspaper  (the Evening Post on  18 June 1942) suggested the government should sponsor a pram factory as the best option to solve this problem. Another article from Australia titled. 'Shortage of Prams: Papoose Frame Suggested' published in the Evening Post on 15th June 1942 was more in favour of babywearing. The matron of the Karitane Mothercraft Centre Sister M. Jacobs is quoted as saying 'It would be much less tiring for the mother if she carried the baby on her back instead of in her arms. From the baby's point of view,  it is a much more natural way to be carried. Babies are more comfortable if they are in an upright position,' The matron also said 'We'll have to evolve some method of baby transport if prams become unprocureable.  A mother came to see me recently with her baby in a canvas bag slung over her shoulder like a knapsack. A sling in front is another way of carrying the baby. Mothers like it better than the bag at the back, because they can watch what the baby is doing"
​https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19420615.2.111  

Guides for making your own baby carrier existed from at least the 1930's. I found several similar articles describing a style of carrier that looks like a cloth seat.  An article titled 'A Carrier for Baby' published in the Evening Post (New Zealand) on 25 May 1939 described how to make one -
'Nothing is more useful than a carrier for transporting a baby, either by car, bus, or train. In the shops carriers made of kid in pretty pastel colours are attractive but expensive'  The article then adds advice for making your own inexpensive baby carrier at home 'You need pieces of deck chair canvas doubled (you can get it in charmingly coloured stripes nowadays) cut to the size you require. Stiffen them by slipping in pieces of plywood and sew them round a ply wood bottom, also cover on both sides with canvas. Fasten the double pieces of canvas together with large press studs, in order to hold the plywood in place, and make handles of cotton webbing. When the carrier is not in use the plywood sides may be taken out and the pieces put flat into a little case made of the canvas, so that it may be stored neatly and unobtrusively.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19390525.2.188.6
This would be carried like a bag - in most photos caregivers are carrying the seat between them rather than using it to strap baby to their body. See this article on vintage baby carriers for some photos of this carrier in action. This style of baby carrier may have been inspired by early infant car seats (car seats were just starting to be commercially available in the 1930's and look quite similar).  Below is an example of a pattern from 1935: It appeared in the "Ideas for the Home" column in the Western Mail Thu 24 Oct 1935  Page 35 ​ A Baby Carrier. ​(Perth, WA).

A more ergonomic handmade and quite modern looking baby carrier (from the United States) can be seen in this article from 1934 featured in the San Diego Union newspaper (December 24 1934) in an article titled 'Child Sees all in 'Rumble Seat' .  George Hellickson made the carrier himself out of blue denim and flat cords and used it to carry his toddler daughter. 
"George Hellickson came to The Tribune-Union-Ryan party yesterday equipped for comfort. Hanging from his back in what he termed a homemade rumble seat was his 3-year-old daughter Helen. The 'seat provided a clear view of proceedings for Helen, assurance that she would not be injured and free use of Hellickson's hands with comfort for both ... He took the baby through the Chicago fair in it he said"

Car seat for babies were available to parents from the 1930's and by the 1940's these were commonly a canvas seat with leg holes stretched over a metal frame with hooks. The hooks hung over the back of the bench-style car seat and kept the baby suspended above the seat, allowing a better view through the front windshield. Before this burlap sacks with a drawstring were used or whatever the parents could come up with at home to prop them up. Some mid century car seats handily doubled as baby carriers like the Hike-a-Pose pictured above. You could unhook the car seat and sling it over your shoulder to wear it as a back pack. This one looks like it may have some straps attached for this purpose hidden at the back.  Most parents just seem to be slinging their babies just using the metal hooks that attach to the seat over their shoulder (it really doesn't look comfortable!). Car seats were certainly seen by some parents as muti purpose items and doubled as high chairs too.

 Man using car seat as baby carrier on the beach Bettmann c1960 

Baby car seat doubling as a high chair. https://www.oddee.com/item_98981.aspx and pictured below  a similar car seat/ carrier from the late 1940's (United States)

I also came across this carrier from 1944 (from Australia).  It's a similar shape but perhaps this one was created to be actually used as a baby carrier rather than a car seat. The straps certainly look softer.

Hip carriers seem to be the most popular of the carrier style available in the 1940s.  Most photos I have come across from this era are of this style. There seems to be at least a few different brands, although except for the Cuddle-seat and Margaret Shaw, brand names aren't often mentioned in newspaper articles (although the Cuddle-Chair got a mention). Many of these styles of carriers were really carrying aides rather that true hands free carriers as one hand was often needed to support baby.

April 1946: Mother carrying her baby in a sling next to a newly built shopping centre in New Zealand. (Photo by George Silk/The LIFE Picture Collection) 

The two most popular hip carriers available in Australia from the 1940's were the Cuddle-Seat and a carrier sponsored by the Australian Women's Weekly and available by mail order (later renamed the Margaret Shaw carrier and sold at David Jones).  

Sydney 1951  (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzg0QceAQWz/)  ​

Margaret Shaw Carrier​
'Mothers are finding The Australian Women's Weekly baby-carrier a wonderful boon. It fills a much-needed want because it carries the baby who hasn't reached the sitting-up stage. As the child lies in the carrier, only one arm is needed to support its weight, so mothers have a free hand to" lead a toddler or carry the inevitable parcel. The sling, which weighs only two ounces, is made in off-white material, with a plastic-lined base, and can also be obtained with blue, beige, or grey straps. The straps are adjustable to make the sling slide-proof.  The baby-carrier, which costs 15/6, is obtainable at The Australian Women's Weekly Pattern Department, 168 Castlereagh Street. Add 3 d post age (or 6 d registered) for mail orders.
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) Sun 10 Aug 1947 Page 50 ​ 

The Women's Weekly/Margaret Shaw carrier was designed by an Australia woman and cost $53.54 (when converted to today's money).  Margaret Shaw was the the Matron of the Womens' Hospital Crown Street and was interviewed by the Australian Women's Weekly in July 1947.  She explained that carrier was 'meant to help the mother in the early months, before baby can sit up and while he still needs support for his back. I have always felt sorry for the mother who has to carry a young babe and, at the same time, juggle with shopping bags and parcels. She feels that she may drop the babe, just as the babe, if he does not feel VERY SECURE, fears that he may be dropped'.  A young baby could be wrapped in a shawl and put into the carrier. Only the seat of the carrier held the baby but it took some weight off and the mother only needed to support her babies' head and shoulders by cuddling baby in the crook of her elbow leaving her other hand free. 'This is what she finds a very great advantage. The young mothers to whom we demonstrated the carrier were delighted with it. One, Mrs- S. Butcher, mother of three-months-old Arthur Butcher, said:"It's wonderful. I don't notice the baby's weight at all." Mrs. T. J. Nilstrom, of Mascot,whose baby daughter Selma is seven weeks old, said:"Baby is happy in it."  The Australian Women's Weekly  Sat 19 Jul 1947  Page 40 

​The Daily Telegraph  Wed 16 Jul 1947  Page 9  Baby-Carrying Problem Solved

The Australian woman's mirror.​ Vol. 24 No.47 (13 October 1948) pg 16​

The cuddle seat is another similar hip carrier invented in Austalia by William Hancock, a test pilot who had been forced to retire due to illness. He  exprimented for six months before perfecting his design. The cuddle seat was marketed as being suitable for older babies and toddlers too unlike the Margaret Shaw carrier.  The cuddle seat seems to be the more popular of the two (I found more references to it in newspapers and magazines and it was also later imported to the United States and the UK).  A newspaper article entitled 'Novel Baby Carrier Eases Weight' from 1946 explains - the 'Cuddle-seat' has the recommendation of thousands of Australian mothers, who by practical experience know the advantage of this method ol carrying baby, especially in crowded areas and when shopping,  Popularity achieved by the 'Cuddle-seat' with Australian mothers now extended to England and America, where it has been acclaimed as a definite boon. When carrierd in  a 'Cuddle-seat' the baby is less weight on the mother and leaves her two hands free, Another very important feature is that the baby itself is carried In a natural position and is more comfortable. The 'Cuddle-seat' Is scientifically designed to carry babies of from four weeks to two years, It distributes the weight evenly, and balance is maintained'
The Farmer and Settler (Sydney)  Fri 1 Nov 1946  Page 13 

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The Australian woman's mirror. Vol. 20 No. 49 (31 October 1944) pg 13

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/history-cribs-other-brilliant-bizarre-inventions-getting-babies-to-sleep-180972138/
​The hip style carrier was also found in other countries too (although is does seem to have been more popular in Australia and New Zealand) . This baby carrier patent above is from the 1940's (United States). While this carrier was not a commercial success I love how the illustration shows how a baby carrier can help a mum go about her daily life by helping her with her shopping. 
Hip carriers seem to have faded in popularity after the war but I have found photos of parents wearing them into the 60's and it was popular enough for a major pattern company to produce a pattern for one in 1972 (McCalls 3357).

This ad for a convertible carrier looks like it's from the 1950's judging by the clothes but I haven't been able to find any details about it. If you have any information let me know! It may possibly an updated a version of the Carry-bye which looks quite similar.

 

The Carry-Bye was invented in 1943 by Mrs A.C. Moores, while her husband was away at war so she could have her hands free for her other child and to carry her parcels.  She spend many hours perfecting her design originally a folding canvas sling 'Mrs. Moores laughs when she thinks back to the clumsy contraption  her first Carry-Bye was in comparison to the smart little job it now is, with' its nickel clips and adjustable buckles, its gay piped hood and its press-stud fasteners in colors to match the canvas."But," she will tell you, "I spent hours and hours on my first 'models' until I made one which was exactly right. I knew that no one, excepting a mother with a mother's difficulties, would take the trouble to find the very right thing they need, but this is it. Satisfied mothers have popularised my Carry-Bye, nobody else, because we have had no money for advertising."  Her husband was injured during the war and could no longer farm so the couple focused on patenting and manufacturing the sling. It was succesful and was sold worldwide and was especially popular in England according to the article in the Women's Interests section of the The Land (Sydney)  Fri 2 Apr 1948  Page 16  The carrier was available from at least 1947. Marketed as suitable from birth to two years The Carry-Bye weighed 15lb/6.8kg and was construction on a paper thin collapsible steel frame which enabled baby to carried in a reclining position or after six months sitting up.  It came with a weather hood and a covering canvas sheet to shield the baby from wind and rain. Two adjustable straps meant that the weight of the baby was distributed to both shoulders and it also could be carried in the hand by a handle.  Glen Innes Examiner  Mon 27 Oct 1947  Page 4  NOVEL BABY CARRIER

In some places in this era mothers were still carrying their babies in this era as they always had.  This Maori mother is carrying her baby in her feather cloak (1938).

​(Photo by George GreenwellDaily Mirror/Mirrorpix)

A similar shawl carry from Ireland

Attitudes to carrying  babies and toddlers seem quite positive (with the exception of the Cuddle Chair sales girls quoted above) and the practicality of using a baby carrier seemed to be one of the main appeals.  One Mum explains in her letter to the Mothercraft section of the  Australian Women's Mirror (24 November 1948)  'Nurse While You Work'  that her four month old son was recovering from a cold and wanted to be held all the time, but she also had other children who needed her  She found the cuddle seat a good compromise. It allowed her to sort and put away the washing, set the table, do some tidying up and even sit down with her son in the carrier to do some darning "Small Son, happy to be snuggled up to me, would soon fall asleep, and I could then put him down again for a while" 

Another respondant to the Mothercraft collum reported admiringly about a mum she met in a train who had travelling with a baby sorted (The Australian Womens Mirror 8 February 1950). Her Cuddle-Seat was very convenient for travelling, and was combined with a hands free shoulder bag (matching her travelling costume of course) to hold her essentials.  Baby was happy and it gave her some hand freedom to look after her other three children. 

It wasn't only mums who carried their babies, dads did too and this was mentioned in several articles and newspaper photos. In the article 'A Word From Father (Baby Clinic for Men)  published in The Australian Women's Mirror on 15th May 1945 the author explains  in a very honest way what life is like as a new dad.  At one point his wife was so exhausted he took over looking after the baby for a few nights 'with the cosy-bye at my elbow'.  His wife's health was deteriorating so much that he decided he should learn to change nappies too (his wife and mother and law were quite horrified at this so it must have been quite unusual).  The family doctor advised he attend a baby care class for dads run by a local baby clinic for fathers whose wives were ill.  He resisted going at first as he found it too public (he seemed pretty happy to help out with any baby care needed but didn't really want other dads to know about it!).  Part of the clinic visit covered baby carriers (which is good evidence that their use was fairly commom in the 40's).

'Now I either have to carry the baby or wheel it in a pram, and if there is anything worse or sillier feeling than pushing a pram I have not met it.  On the job the men talk about these new carrying seats the women have.  Singapore slings, we Diggers call them, and all men without a baby think they are an affectation ... I felt pretty much the same way, but when Doreen got one and showed me how comfortable it was both to the baby and to herself I changed my opinion.  The clinic gave us a lecture on slings one night, and they rate high with the clinics.  Since then a couple of the men wear them to carry the baby in.  The sergeant was the first to start.  He said it was like a bit of his uniform, it was khaki, and it did not look so bad at that.  I am tempted to say you will never see me in one, but looking back at the hurdles I have already jumped I am not game to be definite about anything.  There is one thing I might point out about babies and their care, and that until some of the names are changed men will always feel sillier than they need. A cosy-bye, for instance.  What man can ask about a cosy-bye and not feel silly? Then a cuddle-seat.  A man, any man, might wear a Singapore sling but what man will admit to toting the baby in a cuddle-seat!

The Australian woman's mirror.Vol. 21 No. 25 (15 May 1945) pages 5 and 17
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-507435521/view?sectionId=nla.obj-567210538&partId=nla.obj-507481716#page/n6/mode/1up

Parents loved the cuddle seat and other styles for the same reasons parents enjoy babywearing today - the convenience, closeness, and the way it helps you get on with your day.  There was interest in how people from other cultures carried their babies (I found one letter to a newspaper titled 'Cuddle-seats of Other Lands' and I came across a handful of similar articles and letters but there didn't seem to be  much interest among Australian and New Zealand mothers in adapting and using traditional carriers.  Although it could be possible that those carriers were used at least occasionally but just didn't get written about.  Caregivers generally seemed to just use what they had available to them (backpacks/bags or car seats) or invented and constructed their own with varying degrees of success, some later becomming commercially available.

Interest in babywearing seems to have waned after the 1950's (possibly because prams and other baby holding gear was easily obtainable again) but babywearing  never completely dissapeared (after all you can't take baby hiking in a pram!). I have found a picture of Australian tourists using a Cuddle-Seat to tour Munich with ther baby in 1960. Framed backpacks and soft packs like the snugli started to be seen from the 1960's, as well as the Meh Tai, based on an asian style traditional carrier (sold be the Australian Nursing Mothers Association) also from the late 60's. Eventually there was another revival (from around the late 1990's and probably fueled by the easy sharing of information the internet made possible) which made baby carriers much more readily available in western countries and has continued to this day 

The Sun  Fri 25 Mar 1949  Page 17 ​ LOUIE

​https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/49280/brief-history-7-baby-basics
 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g2870/car-seat-history/

Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld) Mon 30 Nov 1942  Page 2  CARRYING THE BABY  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151382435?searchTerm=baby%20carrying#

Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954)  Thu 8 Dec 1938  Page 34  A CARRIER FOR BABY: HANDY FOR HOLIDAYS. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/44789984?searchTerm=baby%20carrier#​

A CARRIER FOR BABYEVENING POST, VOLUME CXXVII, ISSUE 121, 25 MAY 1939 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19390525.2.188.6?query=baby+carrier&snippet=true

SHORTAGE OF PRAMSEVENING POST, VOLUME CXXXIII, ISSUE 139, 15 JUNE 1942
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19420615.2.111​

​BABY'S OUTINGS EVENING POST, VOLUME CXXXIII, ISSUE 142, 18 JUNE 1942
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19420618.2.22 
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The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954)  Wed 29 Dec 1943  Page 5  SHOPS WITH BABY IN CUDDLE CHAIR
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247809500?searchTerm=baby%20carrying#

https://www.facebook.com/historybabywearingireland/photos/rpp.141327056666106/141349509997194/?type=3&theater

The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954)  Wed 16 Jul 1947  Page 9  Baby-Carrying Problem Solved​
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/248395973?searchTerm=baby%20carrier

​Cuddle-seats of Other Lands (8 January 1947). (1947-01-08). In The Australian woman's mirror. 23 (7), https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/233204385?keyword=cuddle%20seat​

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954)  Thu 3 Aug 1944  Page 4  JOE INSPECTS "CUDDLE SEAT"
​https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134263850?searchTerm=cuddle%20seat

The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982)  Sat 19 Jul 1947  Page 9  NEW CARRIER FOR BABY... ​​
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47226580?searchTerm=baby%20carrier

​The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954)  Sun 10 Aug 1947  Page 50  New carrier for young babies
​https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/248098508?searchTerm=baby%20carrier

The Farmer and Settler (Sydney, NSW : 1906 - 1955)  Fri 1 Nov 1946  Page 13  Novel Baby Carrier Eases Weight
​https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/117337090?searchTerm=baby%20carrier

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)  Tue 17 Jun 1947  Page 7  Death Of Inventor Of Cuddle-seat
​https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18030705?searchTerm=cuddle%20seat

​​The Australian woman's mirror. Vol. 24 No. 53 (24 November 1948)
​https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-486657879

​The Australian woman's mirror.​Vol. 26 No. 11 (8 February 1950)https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-565425578/view?sectionId=nla.obj-567846693&partId=nla.obj-565442456#page/n31/mode/1up

The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954)  Tue 20 Apr 1943  Page 6  Busy Mothers' Baby Carrier​
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231750076?searchTerm=baby%20carrier#

Sydney Woman's Inventions Baby Carrier Makes Shopping Easy PIX (24 April 1943)
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-438628554/view?sectionId=nla.obj-477287868&partId=nla.obj-438694374#page/n11/mode/1up

Glen Innes Examiner Mon 27 Oct 1947  Page 4  NOVEL BABY CARRIER
​https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/184630326?searchTerm=baby%20carrier

The Sun  Sun 3 Apr 1949  Page 1  HANDY BABY CARRIER
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231070352?searchTerm=baby%20carrier#titleModal​

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate  Thu 3 Aug 1944  Page 4 ​Joe Inspects 'Cuddle Seat'
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134263850?searchTerm=cuddle%20seat#

Sunday Times (Perth)  Sun 18 Mar 1945  Page 5  'CUDDLE CHAIRS' BOOM ​
​https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/59331570?searchTerm=cuddle%20chair#

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Here are some tips for tightening your Combination (hybrid) or ​wrap style straps and keeping the straps from creeping towards your neck, as well as for removing any slack in your straps. Here is a photo tutorial and I've added a video too.

This demonstration is of a front carry in a baby size half buckle using a demo doll.  I am using a baby size adjustable half buckle with Combination straps. With a baby of this size make sure to remember to use the drawstring at the top of the body to adjust the height down so baby isn't lost down in the carrier and baby's face is visible. There are some more tips about how to use a carrier with a small baby here.

Video version - thanks to my 13 year old for helping me film my first video!

Before the internet babywearing information would only have been available (rarely) in magazines, and through parenting groups like Le Leche Leauge (US) or The Nursing Mothers Association (Australia) or if you were lucky enough to have a friend or relative who knew how to use one and was willing to show you.  In the early 2000's the growing popularity of the internet allowed information to be shared much more quickly and easily. This  is a large part of the reason that meh dai's (and babywearing in general)  become much more popular. The Babywearer the first popular internet forum devoted to babywearing launched in October 2003 and many other parenting forums had a section devoted to babywearing too.  From the few meh dai's available to parents (almost unchanged from the tradional design) there was soon an explosion of online shops that were designing, sewing and selling meh dais with each vendor adding on their own twist. 

These modern carriers had a wide variety of new features such as head supports, sleeping hoods, pockets, long padded or wrap style straps, mesh panels for hot weather, and cinchable bodies for easier use with different aged babies.  Of course many of these features were really reinventions as elements of these are also found on some traditional asian style baby carriers.  For more information about traditional meh dai's see this article.

​Early small scale brands stayed fairly close to the traditional design with a few small differences. The Baby Back Tie and Packababy were both  basic designs.  Neither had any padding (though Packababy eventually made shoulder pads that would slide on)

The website for the Baby Back-Tie was launced in December 2002 and the Packababy's in July 2003. The Kozy carrier arrived later in 2003. The Packababy had a large body and the Baby Back Tie (BBT) a smaller one. The Packababy and Baby Back Tie were made with heavier fabrics and longer straps (a departure from the lightweight fabrics and short straps traditional mei tai’s tended to have) but they still had narrow straps.

Packababy (pictured to the right) had a  unusal construction with wide cotton webbing straps crossed through the body and sewn to the outside. These carriers were made from sateen canvas with a layer of cotton on the main side. There's an interesting description of how the packababy was sewn here - https://web.archive.org/web/20040806201034/http://www.packababy.com/makingof.html

The Baby Back-Tie had four long straps meant to be tied traditionaly (straps tied to form one single knot in the front) but it was also pictured on the Baby Back-Tie website as tied in the newer style with back pack style tied shoulder straps and the waist strap tied around the waist

Baby Back Tie (Packababy pictured above)

In the US the first really popular meh dai was the Kozy, designed by Kelley Mason in late 2002, after a picture she saw on the Internet and she also took some inspiration from the Packababy and Baby Back Tie. 

"The Kozy is a modern version of the Asian Mei Tai, and it was inspired by the carriers that proceeded it. I have added things to it to add in stabiIity and comfort but have been very cautious to keep the design true to the style...simple, compact, and comfy...I don't claim to have "invented" this carrier (hey, I am creative, not brilliant ;-)  These types of Asian style carriers have been around for a long time.  I simply added my own ideas to the more modern versions out there today with the hopes that perhaps I could offer you something a bit "different"  that might not be offered in other "asian style" carriers.
https://web.archive.org/web/20041123180331/http://www.geocities.com:80/kozycarrier/mystory.html​
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The body of the Kozy was larger and taller than it's traditional counterparts, and the shoulder straps wider, longer, and padded (and with a pocket on the end). The waist straps were unpadded and angled. There was a curved top useful as a headrest, but no hood. The shoulder straps (like many early US mei tai’s) were not quite as long as those found on many meh dai’s today and were were designed to tied off under baby’s bum or across the back.  For many years many of the mei tai’s made in the US after the Kozy came out were influenced by this design. ​

The Kozy was the first really sought after meh dai with a long waiting list at first and reselling quickly when listed on FSOT (For Sale or Trade) boards in the forums.  Unlike the other more basic mei tai's which came before it was available with designer prints and luxurious optional extras (Bling Kozies) with silk panels, panels with beads and embroidery, and velveteen straps. There is at least one instance of a panel Kozy selling for $400 USD, way above the original retail price of $125 USD. 

Mei Tai Baby

This variation is the result of combining both the regular padded strap and the wrap strap.  These start with a padded section at the top of the strap and then transition to a flat wrap strap half the width of the wrap (or to about 33cm if the strap is made from fabric other than a wrap).  The wrap part of the strap can be worn bunched or spread out.  This strap style is my  most popular style.

Pro: You don't have to worry about pressure points if you don't get them spread just right.  Straps don't spread over your shoulders as far compared to wrap straps in a back carry which some people prefer.  You can spread the straps up over the body of the carrier for more support but just tying them unspread like regular meh dai  straps works great too.  You can use the spread out strap to widen the base of the carrier.

​Con: Petite wearers (under size 10 (Australian sizing) may need petite padding especially if you like to wear your baby in a high back carry as this will give more space for the wrap part of the strap to spread out. 

Two styles of wrap strap are available - pleated and gathered.  The gathered style spreads a little more widely but they feel similar to wear.

Pro:  Some people love the wrap like feel of unpadded wrap straps.  The straps distribute the weight of baby well and you can spread the shoulder straps as much or as little as you like.  You can tailor the perfect fit by tightening the straps in just the right places so it feels comfortable for you.  Works wonderfully for front carries.

Con:  May not be as comfortable as padded straps for back carriers (although this is personal preference). as these straps work best by cupping the shoulder.  Wrap straps sometimes need careful spreading so the strap is spread out comfortably over your shoulder so may take longer a little longer to put on.  May sometimes feel restrictive if you need a lot of arm movement.

Unpadded wrap straps sewn in with a box pleat

​These straps are IIcm wide the entire width and lenght of the strap with padding over your shoulder.  Easy to use, nothing to spread so quick to put on and less bulky so easy to carry around in your bag.  Padded straps are slightly less versatile as there is no wrap part of the strap to spread out for extra support if you need it but you can  tie a lexie twist over baby's bum or a tie chestbelt  (i.e tibetan style) for some extra support if you need it and that works well.  Without wrap straps you can't widen the base once the width has started to be outgrown (but you can still use the straps to pull your toddler knees up to a more ergonomic position).  If you don't often spread your straps this a comfortable and compact option.

A combination strap is a hybrid between a wrap strap and a padded strap at your shoulder (best of both worlds!)  It gives extra width to spread over your shoulder but you can leave it unspread (useful for back carries). 

​The flap which pulls out over your shoulder can be over or underneath the straps.  The fold over is the default but  but it can be useful to have the strap sewn the opposite way (to pull out from underneath the strap) for a reversible carrier as you will see more of the reverse colour on the reverse side of the strap.  (If you would like the straps to be sewn the opposite way to usual please let me know).  

Strap flap folds over the strap (default).

Reversible carrier (wrap strap pulls out from underneath)

Flap folding out from underneath the strap.

Some vintage baby carriers from the past 100 years or so.  These baby carriers were not as common and not always as ergonomic as the carriers in use today but there were certainly quite a variety! There were rigid structured carriers , improvised carriers, tandem carriers, hip seats, and soft structured carriers.

I came across lots of photos of carriers which look like little chairs and one which looks a little like a traditional cradleboard.  Wearing baby on the back facing out seemed quite popular! Framed back packs were around too (at least from the 1960's).
​

Baby carrier 1945

Some caregivers didn't even use a baby carrier just improvised with what they had - for example just popping baby in their bag or back pack. ​

Improvised baby carrier - 1926

Some carriers needed two people to use and some were not worn on the parent's body at all.

Welsh Family waiting for visiting King George V 1935 

Cradleseat hip carrier (manufactured in London)

Christmas shopping - December 1968  

Hip seat pattern 1970's

Bild-It-Yourself Club hip seat pattern.

Narrow based carrier.

 The Snugli was invented by an American nurse, patented in 1969.   It had padded adjustable shoulder straps, a waist band and an internal infant harness and could also be used for older babies without using the harness.  There are some great detailed pictures in this link here https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/599372091/vintage-soft-blue-cotton-corduroy-snugli?show_sold_out_detail=1

Nursing Mother's meh tai 1960's

Sewing magazines and books also obsessionally offered DIY baby carrier patterns - some look quite comfortable like this meh dai like pattern from 1977. 
​

​Do you have any vintage baby carrier photos to share.  I would love to see!

Sources for images in this article can be found here - https://www.pinterest.com.au/hipababy/babywearing-history/

Some photos of my wrap scrap quilt! I made this as a picnic quilt although I tend to use it more as a throw rug.  I love to look at it and see scraps of wraps that I carried my children in or scraps of  brands that were popular when I was babywearing. The scraps are mostly from Natibaby, Girasol, Didymos and Oscha wraps and a few from Tula Wovens, Pollora, Pavo, Diva Milano, Firespiral, Ellevill, and Kokadi. The quilt reminds of when my children were babies and how sweet it was to hold them close.

The quilt was made from woven baby wrap scraps and denim sourced from old denim jeans - I like the colour variations from the different pairs and the wear on some of the denim squares gives character. I quilted it by stitching in the ditch so the quilting is pretty much invisible.  I added a machine washable bamboo batting as life with children is still messy and I want the quilt to be used.  The binding was made from a lightweight denim and was hand sewn.  I lost count after a while but I think this took approximately 20 hours to make in total.  Cutting out all the squares took the longest! I only worked on it now and then when I had some spare time so it took  about a year to complete. This is only the second quilt I have ever made and I was really pleased with how it turned out. It had the added bonus of making a good dent in my wrap scrap pile!  

Hong Kong 1940's (source:​https://collections.lib.uwm.edu/digital/collection/agsphoto/id/23471/rec/76)

Mei tai/Mei dai/bei dai/ are transliterations of a Chinese word 背带 meaning ‘baby carrier’ A meh dai is comprised of a square or rectangular shape with a four straps (on the top and bottom). Chinese baby carriers are commonly also found with two top straps only but the western meh dai has been adapted from the version with four straps. Meh dai’s are used with both babies and toddlers and traditionally are mainly used to back carry.  In western countries they are often used on the front and occasionally even for a hip carry (although this isn’t very common).  There are similar carriers which are found in other parts of the world (eg parts of Africa) but it seems likely that the western mei tai was directly adapted from the Chinese version. This is explicitly stated by The Nursing Mother's Association when discussion the origin of their Meh Tai (Meh dai)
"For the last decade we have
advocated the use of a baby sling
similar vo the type in which
Asian women have carried their
babies lor centuries. The sling is
called a "meh-tai". which I
understand is Chinese for baby
sling."
The Canberra Times Wed 29 December 1976 page 2
​
When this style of carrier and similar ones from asian countries like podaegis/ hmong/nyia,  and onbuminos became popular in the US in the early 2000’s they were lumped into the umbrella term Asian style Baby Carrier (ABC for short) . When reviews were fist set up at The Babywearer (the most popular online babywearing forum at the time) there were only categories for "traditional carriers" and for "soft pack carriers" and no separate category for 'mei tai'.  However it was soon suggested that as these carriers were inspired by traditional Chinese carriers the term mei tai should be used to better reflect the carriers origins. More recently the spelling meh dai or bei dai has become popular as it more accurately reflects the pronunciation in the Cantonese and Mandarin dialects of Chinese respectively.
  
Traditional Meh Dai’s

There was certainly variety in Chinese meh dais. There was variation in body shapes, hoods made of lattice work fabric strips,  shoulder straps padded with plant material, headrests and even pockets! Carrier covers for cooler weather are found too  Many traditional carriers are beautiful works of art, embellished with intricate embroidery with  symbolic and cultural meaning (I highly recommend the book 'Bonding via Baby Carriers' – there are many wonderful Chinese baby carriers pictured).  

Traditional Chinese meh dai’s were usually tied with the straps twisted at the chest and any excess tucked. 

 
​The traditional carriers used in Hong Kong had four Straps around 110cm each, tied at a knot at the chest. At the end of one or both shoulder straps the corners were folded over to the centre to form a pocket in which to carry a few coins. In the 19th and early 20th century The panel was quite large measuring up to 60cm.  Gradually the overall size of the carrier became smaller during the 20th century.  The carriers worn by the Cantonese and Hakka were about 25cm square.  The shoulder and waist straps were a continuation of the top and bottom edges.  The Hoklo and Tanka fishing people used carriers which were slightly smaller overall, longer straps were fixed diagonally to the four corners. Head supports were often attached.  These were made of folded strips of cotton about Icm wide stitched at intervals to form a lattice square and attached to the top edge of the carrier to support the baby’s head.    In the 1970’s it was usual to see most young children carried in these cloth carriers.  Sadly By the early 2000’s the use of these traditional carriers has almost completely disappeared. Imported mass produced had mostly replaced them and most mothers tended to carry their children in front following Western fashion.
(Chinese Baby Carriers: A Hong Kong Tradition Now Gone  Valery Garret Journal of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society © 2001 Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23889718?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents)

​Hong Kong 1957 https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/177188566575051521/

https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/177188566575051514/

Children carrying siblings Hong Kong 1956 (source ​https://gwulo.com/atom/22127)

Western children in Hong Kong were usually carted around in prams.  The exception to this was in the early's 1940's when Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese and many western families were interned in Stanley Camp. Traditional baby carriers were used by mothers and babies there.

The photo below is a sketch drawn in Stanley Camp of a traditional baby carrier in use. You can see a flat shot of the actual baby carrier pictured in this drawing in an article about a reunion of the camp inmates (the baby grew up and kept it!) Link to article  https://gwulo.com/node/30240

Source: ​https://gwulo.com/node/38670

Early western versions were quite close to the traditional Chinese ones.  While there was quite a bit of variety in the traditional ones they generally they had thinner, unpadded, and shorter straps than the meh dai’s seen in western countries today. 

Pre Internet -  Early Commercially Produced Meh Dai’s
​
The meh dai seems to have first appeared in the west in Australia first in the 1960’s. Variations may have been around before this in other western countries but I haven’t found any other earlier commercially made examples so far. 

There were very few commercially produced meh dai's or similar carriers with tied straps before the early 2000’s.  The meh dai (Meh tai) sold be the nursing mothers association is the earliest example I have found. It was quite close to this traditional design with four relatively short straps designed to be tied at the chest by twisting all four straps together. The carrier was also fairly lightweight with thin straps (but the shoulder straps were padded unlike in a traditional carrier). This early version of the mei tai was designed and sold be the Australian Breastfeeding Association (then called the Nursing Monthers Association). It was sold as the Meh Tai and later a clip version which did up with buckles was designed.

The ABA meh tai had short straps and could be worn in the traditional way or in this variation. The lower straps were tied around the waist like an apron. Then the baby was held against your chest and the body of the sling pulled up over baby's back. The top straps went up over your shoulders, then crossed behind your back, then each should strap was tied onto the waist straps.

"In 1966, NMAA Founder Mary Paton and her family were featured in a Herald newspaper series about Melbourne families. This busy mum literally flew home from another engagement to meet with the reporter and photographer at her home. Whether by good luck or intention, Mary had her youngest child on her back in a Meh Tai and the photographer  suggested she "do something" he could photograph her doing in this strange thing. Mary grabbed the vacuum cleaner and was thus captured for eternity cleaning the house wearing a smart dress and high heels - donned for her earlier engagement! The response from readers was amazing, contacting the newspaper asking where they could buy such a thing - and Mary quickly announced that NMAA made and sold them"
http://yvettesramblings.blogspot.com.au/p/back-to-baby-wearing.html​
 
This photo was published by the Herald in 1967 to help  publicise the Meh Tai and was used on the Meh Tai packaging and instruction sheet. 

​https://www.facebook.com/groups/125491030798530/search/?query=meh%20tai%201967

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1404591548496&set=gm.387345354613095&type=3&theater&ifg=1

​
Below in the Meh Tai instruction booklet from 1984.

Some more examples - produced later but still the same design.

Source: Google Images

There was also a similar style being sold by at least one US LaLeche Leaque group in the 1970’s.
​
'Later on, in 1975, my second child was born. By that time I was a member of LaLeche League and our little group was making a mai tai-type carrier out of soft denim with a Raggedy Ann or Raggedy Andy appliqued on the seat and selling them for $7. each to support our group! I so wish I had a photo or had kept it. It was so cute! And handy! 
https://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/history-fill-in-the-blanks-you-know.52306/page-4#post-823795

Instructions to DIY mei tai like carriers could be found in Family/ DIY/ Mother's magazines in the 60's,70's,80's, but overall information access to traditional baby carriers before the internet allowed an explosion of sharing is fairly rare.

One example can be found in this English pattern book. This design from 1979 is close  the traditional in that is has 4 straps of equal length and the top straps are straight across rather than angled but it is being worn in more of a western style (straps are crossed and tied behind baby's bum rather than twisted together at the front)

​I have a separate blog post about this pattern if you would like to learn more here.
 

​
The Comfey Carrier was likely another early meh dai although I couldn’t find a picture of it to confirm this.  This carrier had no buckles, could be used for front and back carriers and included two long straps that the user would cross in back and tie in front.  The carriers were around from at least 1989 and they were still being sold in 1997
"It's deceptively simple. It's made of washable cotton stretch velour, no buckles or anything to adjust. You just place the baby on it, bring part of the carrier up through her legs, tie it around her waist, then bring two long straps up over your shoulders, cross them in back or front depending on where the baby is and tie around your waist on the other side. Baby can be face in or out, front or back (4-ways) and (this is the best part) is so secure you can bend down to pick up something off the floor and s/he won't fall out. It's incredible comfortable to wear. I have a bad back and I could hike for hours with a 4-month old in this carrier.
(http://www.pburch.net/carriersFAQ.html)

Mei tai’s really took off around the early 2000’s probably at least partly due to the fact that the internet had made the sharing of information about different baby carrier options much easier. A cottage industry was soon born - many online shops were opened with each small company or hobbyist adding on their own distinct twist to the meh dai. These makers developed many of the features and fabrics we see on meh dai's today. There are now dozens of different brands of mei tai’s  (some still available new and some no longer in production) with a wide variety of features such as head supports, sleeping hoods, pockets, long padded or wrap style straps, mesh panels for hot weather, and cinchable bodies for easier use with different aged babies.  More about this in part 2!
 
​​

Chinese Style Baby Carriers in Hong Kong ​https://gwulo.com/node/38670
​https://yvettesramblings.blogspot.com.au/p/back-to-baby-wearing.html
https://wrapsodybaby.com/babywearing-101-types-of-baby-carriers/
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2009-09/17/content_11570107.htm
https://idahobabywearers.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/history-of-mei-tai-more-fun-than.html
​https://www.interactchina.com
https://babywearinginternational.org/2016/01/25/the-best-of-tbw-asian-style-carriers/
 Chinese Baby Carriers: A Hong Kong Tradition Now Gone  Valery Garret Journal of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society © 2001 Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch
https://www.jstor.org/stable/23889718?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Chinese Style Baby Carriers in Hong Kong ​https://gwulo.com/node/38670
Information about the comfey carrier
https://www.pburch.net/carriersFAQ.html
https://www.armory.com/~tachyon/sambbsms.html
https://www.facebook.com/groups/125491030798530/ (public group with some information about the ABA Meh Tai)
​Beloved Burden: Baby-Wearing Around the World, 2015 by I.V van Hout (Editor)
Bonding Via Baby Carriers: The Art and Soul of the Miao and Dong People 2001 by Yu-Chiao Lin, Christi Lan Lin, and Brenda Liu Lan

threads from thebabywearer.com (you will need to join The Babywearer to read the posts)
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/history-fill-in-the-blanks-you-know.52306/page-2
 ​http://thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/1979-mei-tai-made-one.83832/
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/remember-when-old-timers-post-here.433042/
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/remember-when-taking-a-walk-down-tbw-memory-lane.205994/page-7
 http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/remember-when-old-timers-post-here.433042/
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/mt-ssc-trends-over-the-months-and-years.247921/
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/interesting-how-carriers-go-in-waves.104095/
​Interesting discussion about the origin of the word 'mei tai' after one vendor tried to trademark it
http://thebabywearer.com/forum/threads/anyone-speak-chinese.1703/
​​

Another wrap scrap skirt!  This is made from the same pattern as the Vatanai skirt I made.  The pattern I used was the Lovejill reversible wrap skirt (bought from Etsy).  I really like this pattern although I think it is best made in a drapey non wrap fabric, like a lightweight cotton.  It was a hassle to get the hem sitting nicely as one side or the other (mainly the lining) seemed to settle unevenly probably because cut on the bias the wrap is stretchy (had the same problem with the Vatanai version).  I fixed it in the end but it was rather time consuming to get right. The skirt is made from an Ellevill Paisley Tango - bamboo/cotton blend. These same colours are used in the Jade Chilli ring sling (available in my shop here).  This wrap is lightweight and has a lovely drape so perfect for a wrap skirt.  The lining was upcycled from an op shop find (it was probably a small tablecloth originally).  I loved the vintage vibe (and I love strawberries too).  

How do you modify a Hipababy full buckle to make it a better fit for a small baby?

With a custom made carrier you the option is available to add a built in cinching system and some in stock carriers will have this available too. If your carrier doesn't  have the built in adjustments you can modify your carrier by cinching the base with a ribbon and/or wearing the waist apron style.  Wearing the carrier with the carrier a little higher on your body than shown below will also shorten the body panel further.

​A baby size carrier (38cm x 38cm/ 15"x 15") is suitable from around 6 months or so but when cinched will work from around 6kg/00 clothes (or around 2-3 months).  Infant size (35.5cm x 37cm/14" x 14.5") works from around 4 months uncinched or from newborn (4kg cinched).  Don't use a larger sized soft structured carrier with a small baby as you will not have enough back support increasing the risk of slumping. 

​When using a full buckle with a baby under 4 months baby's back must be well supported and baby's chin must not fall onto their chest (which can obstruct breathing). Baby also must not be buried right down into the carrier.  Ideally you would want the top of the carrier (where the straps are attached) no higher than  earlobe level.   

Below are  some tips and tricks on how to use the built in adjustments, or if you have basic carrier without built in cinching some tips to help to get a better fit. 
​
The carrier in these instructions is a baby sized carrier with adjustable base and sides.  The demo doll is wearing 00 clothes so is around the size  of a 3 month old.

If you have a standard carrier with no built in adjustments you can use a ribbon or accessory strap to cinch the base of the carrier to a narrower setting.  It is easier to tie the ribbon on with the waistband already clipped around you as the waistband will lay flatter that way. Tying with a ribbon will also shorten your carrier a little.  If you need to shorten the height even further you can wear the waist apron style (more on that later). 

If your carrier has built in adjustments cinch the carrier as shown in the photos and then put your carrier on as normal. Pull the height adjustment ties to scrunch the fabric to the desired height and tie in a loose knot.  Fold the edges of the waist back on itself like an accordian.  This will keep the fabric from slipping back and will  cover the velcro strip.  For an in between width, fold more loosely or just scrunch the waist instead.  Remember make sure your baby is close enough to kiss! This will ensure you can moniter baby's airway and the higher you wear the waistband the shorter the panel will be be which also helps to get a good fit.

Wearing apron style will shorten your carrier even further.  You will need to remove the buckles and re-thread them the opposite way for this method so your buckles don't end up upside down.  Flip the waistband so the reverse side facing out and the panel is hanging down like an apron. You may also need a ribbon for this as the folds on the adjustable waist tend to spread a bit wider when worn apron style.  Put the panel on as you normally would. When you are finished you will not see the waistband under baby's bum as you would when wearing in the regular way.  If your carrier has a built in height adjustment you can cinch the panel before putting the carrier on and that will shorten the carrier the maximum amount.

Height of the panel uncinched.

Height of the panel cinched with the built in drawstring and headrest folded down.

Summer is here!  Your baby still wants to be carried but how can you be more comfortable when the weather is hot?  Here are some tips.

Not necessarily.  If you have a carrier on the warmer side and are going to be spending a lot of time in air conditioning and/or don't often need to go out in the hottest part of the day you may find your current carrier just fine.  When you do venture out you can make sure you and your baby are well hydrated and dressed lightly, and you can use accessories like cooling towels to make summer wearing more comfortable.  If you are looking for a summer carrier though there are lots of options!

Ring slings are a great option for summer since there is only a single layer of fabric over you and your baby.  Choose a summer friendly fabric like linen or silk.  Cotton jaquard or wrap conversion ring slings often also work well, especially if you choose lighter, airier options or linen blends - just avoid very dense and heavy wraps.  The tail of your ring sling can also be used as a sun shade!

For a two shoulder (or no shoulder!) option, try a narrow blanket podaegi (also know as a Nyia) as the weight bearing portion of that carrier is the straps so the body of the carrier (blanket) can be  a single light layer of fabric.

Meh dai's (mei tai's) can also be fine for summer since they are generally lighter than a lot of buckle carriers and less bulky (although my buckle carriers are non bulky so a nice summer option too!) Meh Dai's and SSC will usually give good aiflow due to the open sides (if you have wrap straps just bunch rather than spread them). When choosing a meh dai or buckle carrier for summer look for lighter breathable fabrics like linen, a medium weight canvas or a lighter weight wrap conversion (linen blends are nice).  Some mei tai's and buckle carriers also feature mesh panels.  Flat hoods tend to be cooler than hoodie hoods as they allow more airflow along the sides.

Certain fabrics have specific qualities that may make them more suitable  for summer babywearing. ​

Linen is a great fabric for summer.  It is a natural fibre so is breathable as well as airy, and has great moisture wicking properties which help to keep you cooler on hot days.  Linen is great for ring slings and feels very supportive despite it's lighter weight (linen fibres are very strong).  Linen also works well for meh dai's and buckle carriers.

​Cotton can work well for hot weather, depending of the weight of the fabric.  Medium weight cotton duck is a great summer weight for meh dai's/ mei tai's and half buckles.

Bamboo can also work well for summer.  Bamboo  can often be found in exercise and summer clothing as like linen it wicks moisture and is very breathable.  It offers some protection against UV rays and is antibacterial.

Mesh panels help to keep your child's back cooler (they don't benefit the parent so it's still a good idea to look if the carrier is non bulky and breathable overall).   Solarveil is my favourite mesh.  It's very airy and open and is the coolest mesh I have ever tried.  It is unfortunately no longer being manufactured so once my stock of it is gone that's it!  Heavier mesh like kooknit and spacer mesh are still helpful though in maintaining airflow and are available in a wide range or colours.

Consider the weight of the fabric too. A thinner cotton or linen will be cooler than a heavy linen blend.  However thinner fabrics can sometimes be less supportive so it is important to consider the age and weight of your baby.
​
A lighter weight baby carrier will allow some cooling through the fabric itself, so choose the lightest weight carrier that gives you the support that you need.
​​

Babies have delicate skin so it's important to protect them from the sun.

For the best protection against UV rays remember that any fabric convering skin is a good start, but fabric alone in not necessarily going to have a high SPF (with the exception of purpose made UV resist clothing) so choose a baby safe sunscreen and  a hat.

Stay in the shade as much as possible (but don't rely on shade alone as you and baby can still burn)

Avoid being in direct sun for extended periods of time, especially between 10am and 4pm when the UVB rays are at their strongest.  If it isn't possible to avoid the hottest part of the day you can try using an umbrella, a light cotton blanket/fabric, or the tail of your ring ring sling to provide some extra shade.

Current sun protection guidelines for babies and children can be found here:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/safety_in_the_sun.html

Use water! Bring a spray bottle or portable mister to cool yourself and baby down or drape a cloth dipped in water around your neck (or use a cooling towel).  Cooling towels absorb and hold water.  You can then wrap the towel around your neck or head for a cooling sensation.  Any towel soaked in cold water will help to cool you down but the difference with cooling towels is that they are supposed to hold the coldness in longer which in turn gives longer relief from the heat.   

​To cool you down while babywearing use the towel across your chest, around your neck or between babies back and the panel of the carrier.  One side of the towel needs to be cooler for the heat to radiate away so these towels don't work as well when placed between baby and caregiver.  Additionally don't use these  directly on the skin of very young babies as they can't regulate their own temperature as well as older children (use the towel to cool yourself instead which in turn will help to cool your baby)

Rinse your shirt in cold water to provide some temporarily relief.

Keep yourself and baby well hydrated.  Breastfed babies under 6 months don't need extra water but may need to feed more often.

Clip on Cooling Fans -  these can provide temporary relief and be clipped to the shoulder strap of your carrier.  Look for the version with foam blades for added safely.

Consider keeping a layer of fabric between you and baby so you both feel less sweaty. Wear a top with a higher neckline or place a thin piece of material between you.

Remember that whatever carrier you are using acts as a layer, too so dress baby lightly. 
​
Stay in the shade whenever possible and schedule activities for the cooler parts of the day.
 
Wear a wide brimmed hat and choose a hat for baby with a velcro strap so baby won't pull it off (handy for back carries!)  Try an umbrella to make your own shade.  You can also use the hood of your carrier or the tail of your ring sling for some extra shade.

If you are wearing a buckle carrier occasionally loosen the shoulder straps a little and move your baby away from your body slightly to let some air flow between you. After you have cooled off tighten the straps up again.

If you have an older baby or toddler try a hip or back carry to allow for more air flow.

​Create your own breeze. Fan yourself with your ring sling tail!

Walking can provide some airflow but if you are sitting still for a while (and it's convenient) take baby out of the carrier for a break to cool off.