Baby carrier advice - kinda OT....

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Ok, I have resigned Dh to taking some kind of stroller to DL in May, but since we have 3 kids, even a double umbrella or something won't provide transportation for everyone. Our youngest is still fairly tiny for her age (18 lbs at 18 months... don't ask me how - her brothers are HUGE!!) So I am wondering about a baby carrier. We have a Bjorn, but she's really a bit long for it, and wearing her on the front may not be as comfortable for long periods if her brothers are taking up the stroller space (they are way too heavy to carry!!!) She can also feel pretty heavy if carrying for a long time, and long lineups where we can't have the stroller might be a problem.

So what baby carriers would everyone recommend? I was hoping to find a second hand Ergo or Beco, but from what I can see on ebay, they go for almost as much as a new one! I was kind of hoping to not spend a lot, since we are probably going to have to buy a stroller (we do have a double, but its the size of a limo and drives like a Mack truck!!! - the airline would not appreciate us bringing it - in fact, it would probably cost a fortune in oversize charges!!) Dh wants to keep things down to a budget, which I respect and agree with, but we don't need to spend a fortune on chiropracters when we get home because we had to take turns carrying all 3 kids around the parks!

Any advice??
Carm

 

[MommyWithDreams]

.

So what baby carriers would everyone recommend? I was hoping to find a second hand Ergo or Beco, but from what I can see on ebay, they go for almost as much as a new one! I was kind of hoping to not spend a lot, since we are probably going to have to buy a stroller (we do have a double, but its the size of a limo and drives like a Mack truck!!! - the airline would not appreciate us bringing it - in fact, it would probably cost a fortune in oversize charges!!) Dh wants to keep things down to a budget, which I respect and agree with, but we don't need to spend a fortune on chiropracters when we get home because we had to take turns carrying all 3 kids around the parks!

Any advice??
Carm

When my son was a baby I used the Bjorn a lot!!! And I mean a lot. Recently though I had a chance to try the Ergo out with a friends baby....So nice...so so so nice. I highly reccommend it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ergo.

I've heard the Beco is good, too, and the Ergo company is rumored to have gotten weird with its online-only retailers (which is how it got so popular) just like Robeez did, so if you are philosophical about your purchases and like to like the company not just the product, it's good to know that. Maybe.

A nice mei tai is good, too, though a bit unwieldy when dealing with typing, retying, and untying it. If you know how to sew though, there are patterns out there for mei tais.

We did E's ~16 month trip with the mei tai and the following year used the Ergo. Back carries are wonderful for Disneyland! (especially on a hot day...give the kid a small but icy cup of water, and just WAIT for baby to spill it on you...aw, the lovely lovely cold on your too-hot skin...it's a little known side bonus to babywearing!)

 

[MommyWithDreams]

give the kid a small but icy cup of water, and just WAIT for baby to spill it on you...aw, the lovely lovely cold on your too-hot skin...it's a little known side bonus to babywearing!)

LOL oh the memories!!

 

[Flea]

I have an ergo which I love - now I'm not sure what prices are like in the US (I'm in New Zealand) but Patapum's here are significantly cheaper than the ergos. I've tried the patapum and comfort wise for my shape I actually prefer the Patapum - especially in a back carry as I don't get the extra muffiny roll around the middle They aren't as fancy schmancy as the ergo's but my DH prefers that (I'm trying to convince him I need yet another baby carrier in my collection and they fit a larger range of sizes without having to purchase the extender

Meitai's are easy to make, as are slings - the good thing with a sling as it can be folded down into nothing if you aren't using it. I keep a sling in my car for those days my 3yo has "broken legs" and I can carry her on my back comfortably while keeping track of the 1 yo

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

We got an Ergo about a month ago for our DD (she's currently almost 13 months old, but is about 23 lbs). It is SO comfortable!! I've used it in both back and front carries, not side yet, and it's so easy to use and comfy. I do actually prefer the straps of my Bjorn Active (they're a little thinner but still comfy, wheras the Ergo has thicker straps), but they don't BOTHER me, I just prefer the Bjorn straps. I was also looking for a used one, and noticed the same thing about the prices. Due to that, I figured that if I hated it or didn't want to use it for long, it would be easier to just get a new one and sell it on Ebay if necessary after the trip! Of course, after owning it for a month now, I don't want to give it up and want to get a newborn insert for it for the next kid. Oh, and the colors are cute, too! Not as cute as the Beco prints, but every time I tried to show my DH a Beco, he hated the color choice, and we needed a purchase that we could BOTH easily wear and be comfy, and we both are. (btw, DH is 6'5 and I'm 5'5) Anyway, I've actually used the Ergo about 10 times in the last month, and it's been great for shorter and longer wears, and I'm SO looking forward to having it with us for our CA trip (the main reason we purchased it).

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Ergo, ergo, ergo... the best carrier ever... dd rode in hers on my back until she was almost 3.

--Lisa

 

[KelsiesMommy]

I'd say for a baby that size- An Ergo or a BabyHawk Mei Tai are perfect- I've used both (mainly my Babyhawk) all over DLR many times with my now 3 year old- makes lines easy!

www.babyhawk.com

Also- check ou tthis site for used carriers- www.thebabywearer.com

 

[bethy]

I've owned an Ergo since forever - long before they were well known. They are AMAZING. There can be a tiny learning curve when getting them adjusted to suit you but they are a lot easier from less structured carriers (like a Mei Tai or sling.) I could carry around my 25 pound toddler for 4 hours with no back pain ( via a front carry OR a back carry). No kidding! They are also a lot more comfy for the baby since they get to sit on their bottoms rather than dangle from their crotch.

One thing you could do is buy one and then resell it at a nice price.

 

[road2disney]

I'd say for a baby that size- An Ergo or a BabyHawk Mei Tai are perfect- I've used both (mainly my Babyhawk) all over DLR many times with my now 3 year old- makes lines easy!

www.babyhawk.com

Also- check ou tthis site for used carriers- www.thebabywearer.com

Ditto!
The Baby Wearer site is great site!!
Took a babyhawk and ring sling to DLR.
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/index.php <--Bought my solarveil ring sling from this lady. Great price and great quality.

Happy searching!

 

[Blueberrystamps]

I have to say ergo too it is so comfortable you will love it.

You might check out www.thebabywearer.com people do sell them on the forums sometimes.

Also www.mothering.com the have a forum section sometimes you can find them on there.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I can't answer your question about the baby carrier, although it seems like you've gotten some really great ones already, but I did want to let you know that the airlines will let you gate check any stroller, free of charge. We've brought our big Graco Duoglide on all of our trips since we had DD#2 and we've gate checked it everytime without problems. So just keep it in mind if you do end up needing to bring a big stroller.

 

[bethy]

I agree, there is no stroller that is too big for gate checking. IMO, if I'm going to bring a stroller anyway I'd just as soon it be a substantial one that holds a lot of stuff and has a lot of room and comfy features for the kiddos (esp sun shading and cup/snack holders.) It's not like you actually have to carry the stroller at any point during the trip. You can roll it absolutely every where. The only possible tricky part I can think of is airport security. But I'm sure they deal with big strollers and wheelchairs all the time and so they will have it figured out for you!

 

[tanyaandallie]

I highly recommend the Beco. However, I have also owned a patapum and they are definitely less expensive. There are features of the Beco that I prefered, like the lighter weight fabric, the 3 piece waist band that folds up reallyl nicely. But, for the price you cannot beat the patapum. I found it to be super duper comfy. I wore my ds in it a ton. ON very long walks, etc.