Countdown Day 27: Baby Backpacks

Off our compound (which is filled with Hong Kongers and newly rich locals), we don't see many strollers. Rather, kids -- from newborns to toddlers -- are transported in people's arms or, more commonly, on people's backs using a nifty 4-cornered piece of cloth. In the photo to the right, gramma is toting a toddler around with one of these cloths.

I have no idea what these cloth carriers are called, but they are cool as hell. Simple, efficient, and, I imagine, easy to make at home. (EDIT: I just Googled it, and it seems that they are called "Mei Tei," not to be confused with mai tai!) It's basically a rectangular piece of cloth with four long straps attached, one to each corner. Put your kid on your back, put the Mei Tei over the kid, and use the four straps to secure the kid and Mei Tei to your body (the straps come together in the front around the boobage area).

Here is a picture of a finished Mei Tei (here they are usually made of prettier fabric). The image was yoinked from this web site that tells you how to make your very own.
Anywho, D and I both noticed that we never hear babies cry here. I wouldn't be surprised that this way of transporting them has something to do with it. In the U.S. babies are usually shoved into strollers. Wouldn't you rather be snuggled up next to mum or dad or gramma or grampa? I know I would.

A cultural difference to note: these baby slings are never worn in the front by Chinese, always on the back. I think that strength -- or lack thereof -- probably has something to do with this. Sometimes we see a little old gramma who probably weighs all of 80lbs with a 20lb kid strapped to her; it would be difficult for her to carry the kid in the front.

If you want one of these things but you're not the sewing type, check out this site (betterforbabies.com); it sells U.S. made Mei Tei that are constructed from organic cloth: EllaRoo Mei Tei