baby carrier for toddler or stroller????

[holshouser]

We are going to WDW in July 08. DS will be 2. Would you recommend a baby carrier for an excited toddler or a stroller? Seems like he would be able to see more in a stroller............ If baby carrier, what kind? And, if you suggest a stroller...... full size or umbrella????

Thanks!

 

[Ariel8676]

Well i would suggest both if you are comfortable carrying a toddler..i carried Brynn on my back for most of the trip a few weeks ago..she loves seeing everything from the top...
If using a stroller i would suggest something that reclines and has a sun shade.
A carrier..there are a lot that can be used with older/bigger children...
The Beco, Ego, My new fav for carrying my 2 yo in the Kanga X (SOOO comfy) http://hyenacart.com/blookangaroo/
I dont know how big your child is, but you could also do a ring sling for quick carries ( i still use mine at times and Brynn is 30 ponds), or standing in lines... http://www.sleepingbaby.net/ her slings are awesome..and you could get a solarveil sling that block the sun's rays and you can wear it right in the pool and keep your little one close!!

 

[Camno's Mama]

I would also suggest both if you have them! In the past, we brought our babyhawk, but he doesn't want to sit so close. Not enough moving around! So, this time we have a bulkier baby backpack thing. We'll be sticking it in our stroller, but we'll have it when we need it. Might be handy in the longer lines, etc. Not sure what the brand it, we bought it at a garage sale, but it's a really nice one. You can put it on the ground and it has legs, too, so that helps if you have to set it down at times. If you want to know the brand, pm me and I'll go check.

 

[Jennifer823]

It's going to be really hot in July, so you probably wouldn't be comfortable carrying her in the carrier. When our littlest was 1 we brought both the carrier and the regular full-size stroller. When we wanted to go on a ride, DH would strap on the carrier and it would be much easier during the lines and the actual rides. I would definitely bring the full size stroller - it has more shade from the sun than an umbrella stroller, and more room for carrying your stuff.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not WDW, but DLR...at 2 we brought the Ergo for back-carries, and rented a stroller as well.

Interesting to think that a kid can see more from a stroller...all they can see are knees and bottoms! Sitting up high on the back so they can see in front of you and around you seems much better! (and as a littler kid, sitting on parent's front, looking behind the parent, they get to see the broad view of where they've been, which also always seemed better to me)

 

[Minniemouse07]

We used our stroller and an Ergo in December for our 2yo. The stroller was for when he was awake and the Ergo was for sleeping. Ds only slept once in the stroller... he slept better and longer in the Ergo. We didn't go back to the room for naps, just had him sleep on the go.

We also invested in a monkey backpack/leash. Ds didn't want to be in the Ergo awake so the backpack/leash gave him freedom while we were on line and other times when the stroller wasn't allowed.

HTH

 

[holshouser]

Thanks for the ideas!

Since I have never used a carrier, I'm still curious. For the little one to be able to sit up high and see over you, would you use the framed backpack type? My DS is very active (approx 28 lbs) and it is hard to imagine carrying him in front.....so confined.

And how heavy are the back carriers? Do the little ones seem comfortable and content?

 

[Ariel8676]

You dont need a framed backpack...some of the carriers i listed are great and VERY comfortable. I would suggest going to http://www.thebabywearer.com/ there is a ton of info there..you can even do a search for "best toddler carrier" or something and see what comes up. Good Luck

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Most definitely a stroller!

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Hey, that was my 100th post...I'm a Mouseketeer!!!

 

[TJA]

I would also take both a stroller and a carrier (took twins at age 2 and it worked well for us with a double jogger and carriers). Most important thing in a stroller, form my experience, is that it is very comfortable for the child, has reclining padded seats, and large sun canopy. We used ergo carriers and you can also put the child on your back. I do like the looks of the Kanga carrier that someone above posted! Wish my kids were still young enough for carriers.....

 

[stacy6552]

Bring a fully reclining stroller, because a 2 year old will konk out on you. Do not bring a backpack carrier. Its way too much of a hassle. A front carrier is better because you dont have to take the child off to ride the rides or see the shows. A backpack would have to be taken off and I dont know what you'd do with it on a ride.

 

[Mom2m&k]

Both! The hip hammock was the greatest thing ever for DS1.5 when we went. I could easily wear him in line and even on some of the rides. He napped in it on Pirates of the Carribean!

 

[tjlovespooh]

Well, we brought a stroller for our then 17mo old last May and ended up using it to push around my backpack since DS refused to sit in it! He actually walked all over WDW - first time in his life that he actually slept like a baby at night
Honestly, I would suggest you bring both and hope that he'll take to one of them. Plus, I guess it depends on how big your tot is and whether he likes being held. I stopped using a carrier with my boy before he was even a year old. The only time he seemed to actually like the thing was when he was a newborn - he's never been a cuddly baby (course now he's 2 and wants to do everything "all by himself")
Good Luck and Have Fun

 

[tanyaandallie]

I always take both!!! At 20 mos my ds spent a TON of time in our Beco! Probalby 75%. However, he was pretty used to being carried in it then. At almost 3 this past year he was in the carrier some, mostly stroller. The carrier is excellent when standing in line.

 

[TJA]

Do not bring a backpack carrier. Its way too much of a hassle. A front carrier is better because you dont have to take the child off to ride the rides or see the shows. A backpack would have to be taken off and I dont know what you'd do with it on a ride.

A lot of the carriers are both front and back, like the ergo. Sometimes I'd put my kids on the back when we were just doing a lot of walking. I'd always put them in front when standing in ride lines, though.