Baby carriers in the heat

[chaselovesnemo]

We are headed to WDW the second week in May with 3 kids including a 9 month old. Looking into buying a Tula or something similar for the baby but wondering if they get uncomfortably hot? (For both baby and wearer.) My husband would likely be the one wearing it and he is always hot anyways. We are from the west and not used to any humidity at all so I'm a bit worried about the heat. Are there some carriers that are better than others for keeping cool?

 

[Cinderella94]

I do not have children, but since no one has replied yet I'll give you my $.02 for whatever they're worth I get hot where my purse rubs against my shoulder sometimes in FL. And I am used to humidity (from the mid-atlantic). This sounds 100% miserable to me.

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

I baby wear in the heat. But what I do is try to wear alot in the am and later in the evening. During the hottest part of the day I try to limit it and use the stroller. But when needed I place a cooling towel between me and baby. That helps if you don't mind a damp shirt for a bit! There are baby carriers that use more mesh that aren't as hot. I have a Tula toddler.

 

[sparkellyy]

The Lillebaby airflow is breathable. I'd recommend buying a cheap one before investing to be sure the baby likes being worn if you decide to! Good luck

 

[Betty Rohrer]

not sure which one daughter has but it was too hot for both her and her 4 month old in August. baby did great in offsite rental double stroller with her big sister

 

[Dismama2boys]

I don't find it that uncomfortable, but I live on the Texas coast so I'm likely just used to the heat and humidity. But I also didn't wear mine for hours on end outdoors. The time walking around was split between the stroller and me wearing them, but that wasn't long periods of time. The longer periods were in line or on attractions, and I didn't have issues with the heat there. On the off chance that DS fell asleep while I was wearing him, I would just go somewhere indoors and wait it out (preferably with an adult beverage). I was especially mindful of the heat, because even if I wasn't uncomfortable, I didn't want my babies to overheat. I traded out carriers every day, but switched between the Becco Gemini, a Mei Tei, and a ring sling. None were mesh. I think it's all personal, but carriers were what made our Disney trips doable with littles.

 

[100AcreWood]

Just make sure it's something that you can easily get the baby out of for rides. As far as heat, I think they will all be hot. My last carrier was an ergo and I loved that one the most. I tend to use strollers in hot places though. If you are flying, you can rent a stroller that is nicer than the ones you see at Disney. Check out mousesavers.com and search stroller. They have information about companies who allow you to rent high-end strollers in Orlando. They delivery to your hotel and pick the strollers up when you leave. Have fun!

 

[MeganFyne]

I feel like this question was made for me! Not a mom, but a babywearing educator. As previous posters have mentioned, many carriers have meshy linings that would be best for the heat of Florida, though some of these are difficult to get your hands on (especially Tulas) but they are great if you can snag them. Additional ideas would be a linen ring sling (something like classic linen from sakura bloom or wrapsody's ring sling) because they are light and small enough to throw in a diaper bag, but you need to a) really be comfortable using this type of carrier and b) have a baby who doesn't want to straighten their legs all the time. Additionally there are lightweight wraps by wrapsody specifically for warm weather baby wearing. Again, there's a learning curve to wearing but if you are comfortable with it it's a nice option.

No matter what, I would recommend having something like a spray bottle and a possibly previously frozen wash cloth in your dipe bag to put between wearer & baby or on the back of necks. It's true that babywearing is always warm. The advantage is, though, at least you are close enough to always be checking in so you know at once if baby is overheating.

As for other mesh carriers- I wouldnt' get a mesh ring sling as these are meant specifically for water and utilize buoyancy to keep safe.

Previous poster mentioned beco gemini - that's a GREAT carrier and even though it is foam based it has a narrow panel so more air flow between wearer and baby if that makes any sense. That being said if you don't already have one, you won't get a ton of use if you start at 9 months because baby will grow out (as in get too long, not unsafely heavy) pretty soon after that.

Mei Tais I love, esp in the heat, esp if you can find one with breathable weave in the fabric.

I feel like I just text assaulted this thread lol, but I'm happy to throw out answers to questions. Since I do not have babies myself, I can only give my opinions, not life experience, though I do wear my friend's kids when I'm babysitting

 

[ciahanna]

My husband and I both have Toddler Tulas, his has a mesh lining but mine doesn't. His is definitely lighter, but he still gets sweaty. (DD is almost 4, but special needs so we've worn her longer than most kids.) If I were going to wear her for a few hours straight I think we'd both be hot and miserable! So I'd say bring a carrier, but also bring a stroller if you can swing it.

 

[DisneyLove2015]

Wear dri-fit type clothing. It makes a WORLD of difference. Cotton is NOT the material to wear when babywearing.

At 9months (unless your LO is super tiny), LO should be able to do back carries, which are less hot.


Mesh carriers help keep LO a little cooler. Tula coast carriers are mesh and aren't as hard to find as they once were. They have some available online now and at many small retailers.
With that said- I've used a regular Tula in May (DD was 3months), Novemver (9 months) and Sept/OCT (19 months). I alternate wearing and stroller time when we both get hot. Hand fans and misting bottles help, too. We've used frog togg towels (for me) and they help, too. I wouldn't wear all day every day, but is manageable in increments.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

When mine were little I used a breathable cotton sling and it was light enough that we didn't get overheated. I would recommend that over a bulkier carrier.

 

[jvz82]

I used an Ergo for my 12 month old a few years ago and don't remember being particularly hot. We had both a stroller and an Ergo though and it was nice to take him out for breaks at times when it got extra warm.

 

[KalamityJane]

Get the Enduracool or frog toggs. You can wear it on the back of your neck or in between you. It helps a LOT.

 

[KalamityJane]

Also, save the wearing for lines when you need to keep baby in one spot, if you want to limit wearing.

 

[sweetmama17]

I live in Florida and I think baby wearing is hot and even worse in the heat. That said it is a necessity for Disney (since you can't bring strollers in lines). I stroller my kids around the park and use the carriers for lines (and will walk to the next ride it its close). Back carrying is much cooler. I don't notice a huge difference between my Lille and my Tula (I find that even though the Lille is mesh its still "thick") I do have my eye on one of the toddler Tulas with the mesh though.

 

[ilovevacation]

I am also a tula wearer. I would think about getting a tula coast (mesh) carrier since you live in a warm climate. I plan on part time wearing, part time strolling in our first trip as 3 this April with our 7 month old. I even got custom disney accessories for my tula. So excited!