baby carriers.....need opinions....

[pashari]

We're headed off to Disney with our DD#1 (who will be 4 y/o) and DD#2 (who will be 7.5 months) in May and I'm looking for carrier advice.

I'm probably going to be the one doing the carrying as DD#2 has a decided "mommie" preference. My back isn't in the best shape (although I'm trying to strengthen it in the next 2 months) just your typical lower back pain. I'm also on the plus side of the scale if you get my meaning.

I'm not comfortable with a sling type carrier - with the temp being in the 80's & 90's during our trip I'm thinking that they would get hot pretty quick.

I guess my question is would a snugli suffice or should I go all out and get the active bjorn? It's a difference of $100 which could be better spent elsewhere as $$$ is super tight around here right now. I doubt we'd use the carrier outside of the week at disney.

Info? tips? advice? Thanks

lisa & elena (04.11.03) and anika (09.28.06)

 

[snoopy5386]

Honestly, at that age I would skip both the bjorn and the snugli, either one will be uncomfortable with a baby that age. You need something like an ergo www.ergo.com, a beco, www.ecobabies.com or a mei tai. If you are only using it for that week, there are actually websites that rent an ergo. I think the ergo lady is one of them. do a search for ergo rental or ergo lady.

 

[alexy]

We used this one for our trip 2 years ago when our DS was 6 mths old:

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/117/427757/117.html

He was in the stroller for the most part, but we used this for waiting in lines or when he needed a bit of a change. There were a few times when we parked the stroller and used it for a bit more mobility. We both thought it was easy to use and a life saver for places where the stroller wasn't appropriate.

 

[kat08]

I really like the Sutemi. You can google it and find it. It is super comfortable and I think it's around $75 as opposed to the Bjorn Active. The Sutemi has better support, versatility and comfort.

 

[snugglepeas]

I really like the Sutemi. You can google it and find it. It is super comfortable and I think it's around $75 as opposed to the Bjorn Active. The Sutemi has better support, versatility and comfort.

I have both the bjorn and the sutemi pack and after using the sutemi I cant go back to useing the bjorn, I plan to use the sutemi in April with my 10 month old daughter that hates strollers, the way it distributes the weight it's like your not carrying her, and you can carry her in the front, on your hip or on your back, the only thing you cant do is have her face out.

 

[Oceana]

I second the ergobabycarrier

 

[Ariel8676]

I agree wth the pp's about the Ergo and the Beco...MUCH more comfortable (for you and baby)than the Bjorn or snugglie...and you can use the Ergo or Beco for a long time as opposed to those.
I LOVE my Beco got it at http://www.littlepearlbabywear.com/catalog.php?category=20 they have them in stock there...
I also use a Babyhawk Mei Tei from http://babyhawk.com/
Or you may be interested in this, i had one last year for my DD and it was great, could wear her right in the pool and t would dry so quick..and it has sun protection http://store.attachedtobaby.com/products/Sachi-Solarweave-Mei-Tai.aspx
You can also check out http://thebabywearer.com/ there are a ton of different carriers out there!!!

**wanted to add with these carrers i lsted you can wear the baby on your front or back...Its so nce to have that option. You can get a lot done while givng the baby a "piggy back ride", instead of having the baby dangling in front of you..lol

 

[Jaymie]

I used First Journey when we went with our DS who was 5 months at the time. I absolutely loved this carrier. It was so easy to use, I could put him in easily without any help (of course DH couldn't). It has 5 positions. Check it out.

www.first-journey.com

 

[dijid]

I went in May when my youngest DD was 8 months. I would highly, highly recommend you look into a Solarveil sling. I made my own and slightly padded the shoulder (DD was HEAVY!), but I know that Kangaroo Korner and others sell them. The fabric is mesh, breathable, and UV protectant. Unlike with other carriers, your child can lay down and sleep in it. DD took her morning nap (about 1 -1.5 hours) in the sling and I could continue to ride low-impact rides with my other kids. I also had an unpadded Solarveil sling and wore it into the pool. With a 4yo and 2yo, it really helped to have my hands free! Oh - I also have scoliosis which causes low back pain. I didn't notice any additional problems while wearing the sling. (But then again there was plenty to distract me while I was there!)

 

[kapear]

Another vote for the Ergo or a Mei Tai. My daughter will be 8 mos old when we leave next week and loves both. I have walked several miles with her on my back in the Ergo...she naps every time.

 

[design_mom]

Another vote for the Ergo here. We did two days at WDW last year -- DD was 18m at the time. I didn't even take the stroller because the Ergo was comfortable and so much more convenient. My sister is borrowing it for her trip next month.

I prefer it as a backpack, but it can also be worn on the front or on the hip. (Since there is body-to-body contact, it can get kind of warm, but I doubt it's much different than a Bjorn). I didn't realize anyone rented them out -- but that's a great idea!

Here are some pics:

p.s. My DD is Elena, too.

 

[maedelken]

Go with the ergo it is great.

 

[Mommy2tink&pan]

I'm going in April. My DS will be 13 months. I'll going to get a wrap. That way he can lay down and sleep while I carry him and I'll be able to put him on my hip, front, or back. I've read about them at www .mamatoto. org
(you'll have to type it into your browser)


Have fun on your trip!

 

[stacy6552]

We had the baby Bjorn. Its worth every single penny. Very comfortable. Easy to adjust to switch off with DH. We used it when our son was 11 mos old, and then again when he was 22 mos. Even though we had long since stopped using it at home, it was still useful on the trip and still comfortable.

 

[TJA]

I agree with the others who recommend an Ergo. I also used the bjorns when my twins were smaller, but you can use the Ergo for a lot longer and can also wear the baby/toddler on your back as they get bigger.

 

[kokotg]

yes to an Ergo. My then 9 month old spent most of our trip in it in september; I still use it daily now that he's 15 months--with no end in sight.

 

[AngieWin]

On our trip I am taking for DS 23 months and DS4

Double Stroller for naptimes/treks to the car

Sling for popping in and out quickly (unbleached cotton)

Sling for water fun (solarveil)

And Ergo for waiting in lines.

I bought the material for my solarveil sling and had an awesome friend make it for me, but I also made a couple of solarveil sheets (yard square) so that I could cover him in the carrier/stroller and not worry about the sun as much (going in July)

 

[kangareaux]

We really liked this one. YES it is a snugl, but it's NOT the torture device that usually hides behind the snugli brand name.

We tried the *regular* snugglis and the bjorn and it KILLED my back. I could wear them for 3-5 minutes before my back muscles/nerves were screaming. (I'm tellin ya....TORTURE DEVICE is not a harsh enough description as far as I'm concerned!) This one was SOOOOO comfy! I could wear DS all day when he was 20 lbs! When he was right around 20 lbs we went on a cave tour with me wearing him. Even nursed on the tour in the carrier! Man, I LOVED that carrier! LOL!

Anyway, here's the link. It's very reasonably priced too.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3429361

And you can wear it front or rear facing on the front....or you can wear it on your back.


ETA: This carrier was adjustable for me to wear at 5'4" / 120 lbs abd DH (WIDE SHOULDERS!!!) to wear at 5'10" 225lbs. Fit both of us wonderfully and was not *girly*, so it wasn't hard to get him to wear it.

 

[VanessasMom]

Mei Tai all the way...www.babyhawk.com

I used this for my 2 yr old on a cruise everyday for extended periods and it was like heaven. I have had a spinal fusion in my lumbar area and have lots of back problems. Not one issue with the mei tai. I LOVE IT!