Anyone used a baby backpack?

[adtillma1]

When we go to WDW DS#2 will be 11 months old and I was wondering if anyone here had experience with one of those baby backpacks? We're still going to have our stroller, but I'm just doubting that he will want to stay in the stroller the whole time we are there. Any pros or cons?

 

[LilGMom]

We used an Evenflo one for both of our sons and loved it!!! Hated having to stop using it in exchange for the stroller. The one we had had a kickstand type thing so that we were able to take it off and set it on the floor or table to be used as a chair (of sorts) which worked great in Playhouse Disney and at CS meals. It also had a detachable pouch thing on the back that was big enough for a few diapers, a ziploc of wipes, and extra shirt and a few other neccessities. And the side net cup holders worked great too. It had a three point padded harness on it for the baby and even though I would have liked it to have had a chest clip too neither one of our kids tried escaping.

We used the backpack until it was physically painful for us to do so . If you and your sig. other are of differing heights you might want to go to a Babie 'R Us or Toys 'R Us (or any store that sells them) and try a few on. Luckily my DH & I are both tall so it wasn't an issue but I have heard some people complain about one parent not being comfortable wearing the backpack because it hit them wrong on the hip area. I would check the padding on the shoulder straps because ours were a little thin and had they been thicker we probably would have used it longer when our sons got closer to the max weight limit. We got very good at wearing the baby in the ride ques until we were within 10-15 people and then the wearer would turn around while the other would unhook and get the baby out - it became like a smooth dance. Ours also had a chest clip for the wearer which would take some of the strain off of the shoulders.

The backpack is also a really great way for the baby to take in all of the sights instead of seeing everything from the waist down.

 

[Love the Mouse]

We used one for our trips too and DD loved it. I wish that she still fit in it. We started using it when she was 6 months old and used it on each Disney trip till she was too big for it. It is definitely a plus when walking around WDW.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I have traveled numerous times with my ds in a baby carrier. LOVE them. The first time we traveled my ds was 7 mos old and we went to DL. I carried him in a mei tai carrier (www.babyhawk.com and www.kozycarrier.com). LOVE them.

However, my favorite for an older child is a soft structured carrier. I would NOT buy anything from BRU. You can find much better and more comfy carriers out there. 3 very popular ones - the Ergo, the Patapum and the Beco (www.ecobabies.com). All 3 are excellent carriers. I have a patapum and a Beco. I like them both buy really love my Beco best. I wore my ds in our Beco last Nov. He spent about 75% of his time in it. He was 20 mos, maybe 22 lbs? I was able to wear him in it and never had any shoulder pain at all.

The big difference between one of the big framed backpacks and a soft structured carrier is that the baby does not sit up as high in a ssc. But, you also have a much lighter and far more comfy carrier. You also have a carrier than can be rolled up and fit in a bag or under a stroller.

If it were me, I'd get a soft structured carrier. I use mine almost exclusively in a back carry. LOVE It.

 

[dezimber]

I have traveled numerous times with my ds in a baby carrier. LOVE them. The first time we traveled my ds was 7 mos old and we went to DL. I carried him in a mei tai carrier babyhawk dotcom and kozycarrier dotcom. LOVE them.

However, my favorite for an older child is a soft structured carrier. I would NOT buy anything from BRU. You can find much better and more comfy carriers out there. 3 very popular ones - the Ergo, the Patapum and the Beco ecobabies dotcom. All 3 are excellent carriers. I have a patapum and a Beco. I like them both buy really love my Beco best. I wore my ds in our Beco last Nov. He spent about 75% of his time in it. He was 20 mos, maybe 22 lbs? I was able to wear him in it and never had any shoulder pain at all.

The big difference between one of the big framed backpacks and a soft structured carrier is that the baby does not sit up as high in a ssc. But, you also have a much lighter and far more comfy carrier. You also have a carrier than can be rolled up and fit in a bag or under a stroller.

If it were me, I'd get a soft structured carrier. I use mine almost exclusively in a back carry. LOVE It.

I second the soft structured carrier. I am a plus size woman and I am short and could only use a framed backpack for a short time then it becomes very unconfortable plus it seemed bulky to wear. My nephew is around 40 pounds and I am still able carry him in my Kozy carrier for as long as he is willing to be held. I can also put him in the sling I got from Sleeping Baby Productions and carry him for a good lenght of time. The advantage of these is the versatility to accommodate different body sizes and shapes of both caregivers and little ones. Hope you find something that will work for you.

 

[abouley]

I third the SSC. I have a beco and my daughter is currently 11 months and about 22 lbs. I use it both in front when she is tired and needs a nap and as a backpack (she will sleep that way too). It is really comfortable for me and she loves it! It would be super easy for carryign her through lines and then popping her out of and either leaving it on or just stuffing it into a diaper bag while going on the ride. It's great because it folds up small and will fit under the stroller so easy to take with you. I have mine with me at all times! I have used my friend's ergo before I bought my own and it was comfortable too and a bit cheaper but the body fabric isn't as long so I like the beco better.

Alison

 

[GoinToDisney]

We have the Ergo an dI love, love, love it. When we went the first time, my dd was 18 months and wanted to get down a walk, but it was great when she was about 1 at the beach. I never could have carried her in a frame backpack because I have back and neck problems. The Ergo was the only comfy way I could carry her. In fact, when she was about 18 months old, she cut her eye teeth and wanted to be held for 2 days straight. The first day of this was my brother's wedding and I didn't have the Ergo. I was in so much pain after carrying her on my hip all day. Then when I saw that she wanted to be held all day the second day in a row, I almost cried. She was a chunky little thing back then. Well, I put her on my back in the Ergo, and it was great. Oh the other thing I like about the Ergo was that she would sleep through lines in it a lot. I just wore her on the front so I could have her in my lap for the rides. It was so cute the time she awoke from a nap and was on the Pooh ride. She was confused but so excited.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I have a babyhawk mei tai and still carry my 21mo in it. He will be turning 2yo during our trip in December and I'm definitely packing the babyhawk!