Baby carrier advice needed!

[Pluto14]

We will be traveling to WDW in July with our DD, who will be 14 months old at the time. We plan on taking a lightweight stroller (which there has been plenty of advice on here, thank you!! ) however, I'm contemplating buying some kind of carrier for when we are waiting in lines. Is 14 months too big for a carrier of some kind? She is already 20 lbs. at nearly 9 months old!

Any advice would be appreciated. I thought about the Playtex Hip Hammock, but it seems to have gotten mixed reviews on other boards I belong to.

Thanks for any insight you could provide!

Kris
Joe
Katie

 

[Rowlf]

I bought an Ergo Baby Carrier for when we went when DS was 15 months old - we used it a few times, but not enough to justify the cost! I primarily used it in lines to keep him from getting too antsy or running off.

 

[emma'smom]

We're taking our daughter who will be 13 1/2 months when we go. We're going to take the back pack carrier (in addition to the stroller) so that she can see better in the parks. I'm not sure what we'll do with when we get to the end of the line (except when we do a baby hand-off). She is just getting to big to be in the Bjorn any more. I think the limit on that is 20lbs. The back pack goes to 35 lbs.

 

[HLAuburn]

If you have a Babies R Us close by, I definitely recommend going and trying out some carriers, like the Hip Hammock. They have them all out of display so you can take them down, try them on w/ baby etc. We ended up scrapping the whole carrier idea b/c DD just didn't go for it AT ALL! I thought the HH was really uncomfortable and awkward, and although I think a backpack would be really useful, it seems like a huge pain to drag around the park.

Just my 2 cents, but I'd suggest you try some out before making a purchase.

 

[3littleHalls]

I bought the Hip Hammock a month ago. Just for this reason. Well, that and she refuses to ride in a shopping cart. Our youngest is going to be 19mos when we go...she is 34" and 24lbs. and just to wiggly and heavy to just hold on my hips. The HH has worked really well for a couple of mall trips and Target. The only bad thing to say was that I had a kink in my neck and I did the HH and it made it worse.

 

[isyne4u]

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my hip hammock!! I used it when my ds was 6 months and then again when he was 18 months old. He loved riding in it and I loved the opportunity to snuggle with him in it. (he's not much of a snuggler when he can get away from me!)

The Hip Hammock saves your back and allows your hands to be free to drink your soda's, buy your souvies, eat your micky bars etc..with ease!

If i can answer any other quesitons let me know!
tara

 

[PoohHappens]

My little one is 4 now and I do not know what a hip hammock is, however, on his first trip at 18mos I used a sling carrier. We used it mostly waiting in line and a couple of times for parades. He loved it and so did I. He was not willing to stand waiting in line and wanted to be held, the sling made it easier. Many rides I could even leave him in it when we got on, just swung him around on to my lap. I would not have wanted to walk around all day with him in it but for the lines it was great. Once he fell asleep while I was holding him in it. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We were in WDW at the end of November/early December, with my ds and ddil and two grandchildren (ages 4 years and 11 months). We had a Heart to Heart sling and the 11-month-old was in it much of the time (usually being carried by her mom). But we did also carry the 4-year-old in it sometimes - like at the end of the day when he was tired. He is pretty slender and weighs about 35 pounds. The sling easily adjusts so you can carry an older child on your hip or even on your back. If I could figure out how to post them, I have some photos of my son carrying the 4-year-old at WDW (as well as plenty of the baby being carried, napping, etc. in the sling).

Teresa

 

[Bird-Mom]

I would suggest a maya wrap. It is an unpadded ring sling, so it is easy to fold up and toss in the diaper bag. Your dd would not be too big at all-I occasionally wore my older dd in the sling until she was 3. She still asks for her turn in the sling, but she is about 42 pounds now.

Your dd's weight will probably slow down once she becomes mobile (if she isn't already) if you are worried about your back. The sling distributes the weight very evenly and is really comfy. We went to WDW when my youngest was 15 months and about 26 pounds, and I wore her most of the time.

 

[WDWorBUST]

OneStepAhead carries a hip carrier that worked for us. We didn't use it just a ton - but it was worth it. Even on this last trip when DD was 2 it was nice for when she didn't want to be in the stroller and it was too crowded for her to walk. Of course it was when we didn't have it that she wanted to be carried and totally wore me out

 

[Emmaline Lola]

I have used this since my dd has been 5 months old, she is now 12 months and I still use it regularly! We live in Orlando and go to WDW very frequently, it has saved me!

Yes, it does hurt your back/neck after a while, but I feel like I can't drop my dd while getting on a small world if she is strapped to me!

I am in the process of adopting a girl from China, and you can bet I will be bringing my hip hammock to China!

FYI: it carrys up to 35 pounds too! well worth the $$ in my eyes and it folds up easily to go in the diaper bag too!

el

 

[Ariel8676]

I have a pouch type sling called a peanut shell,its wonderful and can be used up to 35 pounds. You can you it on your hip , or facing in or out. Unfortunately im not able to post the link... Goo-ga dot (lol) com..we'll see if they let me do it this way..lol

 

[amarberry]

The weight limit for the Bjorn is actually 22 pounds. My 14 month old DD was about 24 pounds on our last trip and we still used the Bjorn with her then (I know...bad parents, but we all survived). However, if you don't already own a Bjorn, I wouldn't spend the money on it since your child is close to the weight limit.

Carriers for older children (like the Ergo, Sutemi, and what we have, the Babytrekker) are expensive and are kind of bulky if you are trying to limit what you carry into the parks. Before investing in any carrier, I would definitely try them out! If you go on the websites for any of the toddler carriers, they usually can tell you if anyone locally has the carriers. Trying the Hip Hammock out at Babies r Us is a great idea too. I also think that Target carries the Hip Hammock, so you could buy it, try it, and return it if it doesn't work for you.

I've never used a Maya Wrap, but I've heard a lot of great things abou them from some friends who have them.

 

[pawsitivemom]

I'd go with a sling in your position too. I had one when my DS was younger and loved it. Just make sure you get one that fits right....or they are a pain in the neck......litterally.....if it doens't fit right it will ride up onto your neck and put pressure on it.

I have lots of friends with Maya wraps who loves them...and also a woman locally makes slings and they are based on the Maya wrap.

Another tip....get it well before you go....it can take a bit to get used to using.

 

[BlueFairy]

No time to read all this.
I have a Sling Ezee. Retail online for $45. Got mine on ebay for $15. Ring style with padding. Rated up to $35 lbs.
Don't know if this was mentioned, but borrow or buy one of whatever you pick ahead of time and take time to use it at home so you know if it will work for you and the kid will be used to it. Sometimes it takes a little practice.

 

[NurseKim]

You should check out a pouch type sling. I think they have a shorter learning curve than a ring sling and they fold up nicely.
When we go in Oct, I will be bringing my Ergo (great for back carry) and possibly another Ergo, or a pouch. I love my Ergo, but it is bulky.
Check out www.mamatoto.org for more on different kinds of carriers

 

[toesmom]

Playtex hip hammock is fine for short term use, but if you need to carry her for longer periods, I really don't recommend it. I have one that I use for grocery store type trips, but after a little while, that strap bothers my neck.

I did find the Baby Trekker really useful. And its not bulky because it fits into a little bag contained on the carrier itself. I find it very very very comfortable. And I've used almost every type of carrier from slings to both bjorn carriers to snugli carriers to backpack carriers and just bought and quickly sold my new ergo carrier. I really think the baby trekker is great because the padding is very comfortable.

My son now weighs over 30 lbs and I can carry him on back or front for 2 hours if I need to with no pain. It is very well designed and you can buy them second hand off ebay. Or check craigslist.org (Canadian cities since it is a canadian product) or buysell.com (check baby accessories under the various provinces). You'd have to make special arrangements for shipping, but it would be priced better than ebay.

But if you are planning a summer trip, you may be warm using the trekker!

 

[Lesley]

I have used a Snugli, Nojo Babysling, Maya Wrap, New Native pouch, didymos wrap, a Kelty backpack and a Baby Trekker (very similar to the Ergo, which I think is nicer looking, but not available back when I got my Trekker).

For travel (and particularly WDW) I don't recommend the large frame backpack like the Kelty or a padded ring sling like the Nojo. A Snugli would be fine for a small baby, but hard on your back and shoulders for a larger child. Same with the Bjorn. I think I"ve seen the hip hammock and I have to say that thing looks like it would become uncomfortable very quickly. For a hip carry I'd recommend the Maya Wrap, or for something even more compact, the New Native. Both can be adjusted to wear comfortably for long periods of time (the secret is to spread the fabric wide over the supporting shoulder...do not let it come up to your neck and the further down the arm you can get it the better) The Trekker has a lot of padding and could get very hot at WDW in the summer...in cooler months its great. It can be worn on the front or the back. If you have plenty of time to practice look into a didymos or ellaroo wrap....if you can get the back carry to work for you I think this carrier is ideal. That said...I've never been able to manage it myself. Wrap style carriers are definitely the most comfortable, particularly for those with back trouble (ie. ME!). You can also use one of these carriers for a hip carry, but will tend to have lots of extra fabric.

If your trip is in summer you can get a sling made of Solarveil fabric...light and airy, yet sun protective. Once again I stress that the best item for a hip carry is a sling. It frees up your arms and doesn't put too much stress on the neck back and shoulders.

Check ebay...that's where I sold my Kelty and bought my Trekker. You can probably find some good deals on good carriers.

NurseKim...love your sig! That's my superpower too!

 

[rt2dz]

I bought a premaxx sling when DS#2 was 15 months for our Disney trip, as he was getting to big for the baby b'jorn & I was 6 months pregnant. I found this sling much easier to use than any other sling--I'm not a sling person. The big bonus was it was great for DS#3 when he was a newborn!! Then I get to use it as a hip carrier again as he gets older. Plus, our little ones could sleep in it easily (for both of us) while on my hip, not possible with the hip hammock.

 

[las3888]

We went when my DS was 8.5 mos old last fall and I bought the hip hammock for the lines as well. I like the hip hammock well enough and it was nice knowing I had it stowed in his stroller, but I never used it once down there. It's not to say you won't use it, and again it was nice knowing it was there. Most of the lines were fairly tolerable and we were there at a fairly busy time. We also found we couldn't ride all that many rides due to his age and having to go back to the room for naps, etc.

Good luck!