Baby sling / hip carrier / hammock?

[solanna2]

Hi!
I'm trying to figure out what to buy for our vacation. My DS will be 11 months and will be around 21-22 lbs. I'm trying to find something where me or my DH could carry him on our hips, so it could free up our hands for our 2 DD's (3 & 5 yo). What I want to know is if there is any of these baby carriers can still be used if he falls asleep. I mean, could they carry a sleeping infant? I've never used any of them, and I believe this will be the only way to go, since we are only 2 adults and there will be 3 small kids that could fall asleep simultaneously (not that it happens at home...I wish!...but there is always a possibility....after all, Disney is full of magic ) We are planning to take a double stroller and rent a single stroller at the parks...but what if they are all asleep for example in the airport, where we only have our double stroller and hands full of stuff?

Any help from experienced moms is appreciated....

 

[toesmom]

The bjorn active is good for up to 27 lbs but pricey. Works great and is super comfy, then you can sell it on ebay when you are done. Buy a used one off ebay. Baby can sleep no problem and can be on you for hours with no problem. This upgraded model is much better than the original bjorn. Used mine all the time and then sold on ebay for about what I paid!!!

As for hip carriers, I've purchased both the Playtex model, but would never use for long time as the strap across the neck is not comfortable after a little while (but these are okay for short use, and are adjustable which is good).

A better hip carrier is the one which was the original design by Nancy Swanke because it is much more comfortable for long periods of use. I own this own as well. The only drawback is that it is not adjustable very easily, but once on is great. These sell for about $18 on ebay. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Chereya]

I had a Baby Bjorn for my first son (two actually since my husband needed the XL strap size). We both found that it hurt our backs. Maybe we weren't wearing it in the most optimum position but if that's the case then IMO, it's hard to wiggle the straps to the best position to not hurt yourself.

I just had my second last month (he's 1 month old today!) and this time around I decided to try a pouch and a wrap. My 2 year old liked both. He sat on my hip in the pouch and enjoyed it and I tried him in the wrap in a back carry position - just like a piggyback but with better support and you without having to use your own arms to hold.

I liked the wrap better because he was close to my back and my own center of gravity causing less strain from his extra weight "hanging" off of me. Also you have straps evenly weighted to both shoulders. You can tie a wrap in many different ways to accomodate different carrying positions and different ages. You could wear your almost 1 year old in the front, back or hip carry. You and your husband can both use the same wrap as well. The pouch was ok but after a while I was walking bent to the side to compensate for him being on the opposite hip and my one shoulder started to feel strained from the pouch strap.

Both were of good quality, thick and stretchy cottony hemp (I think). The pouch has adjustable snaps to accomodate growing baby and different position carries requiring more or less give from the pouch. I paid $60 for it and have been very happy with the seamstress quality. I got the wrap from the same person for $75 and while both are pretty pricey I'm more than satisfied with them. I had bought a cheapie pouch on Ebay prior to the expensive one to test if the concept of "pouching" my baby would work out for us but I was not jazzed by the quality of the material and workmanship. It was synthetic fleece (too hot) the stitching was somewhat sloppy and only single seamed as opposed to triple with my expensive pouch and the fleece had no stretch making it difficult to impossible for me to get my newborn into it.

Chereya

 

[frogmommy]

Look for Maya wrap on the web. It sounds similar to the wrap that the above poster may have been talking about. Mine cost around $45.00, but that may be because I didn't pay s&h. It comes with a video demonstrating its use. It's light weight so your child won't get too hot, and takes up very little space when not in use.

My DD is nearly 17 months and just over 22 lbs. I still use my maya wrap to carry her on my hips. I plan to take it to WDW when we go in April as an alternative to the stroller.

 

[msbegin]

I've heard the slings/wraps are fabulous. They were not popular w/ my 1st son (he's 11 now) and my second were twins, so I couldn't really use it w/ them either... I took a stroller pretty much everywhere.

I'd suggest the sling just because they look so natural when I see people who use them. You can also just throw it in the washing machine if it gets dirty.
Just be sure to get it ahead of time & practice w/ it. I tried to carry my friends child in it once & I was very uncomfortable-she said I just wasn't used to it.


Good luck!

 

[forever-sunshine]

I absolutely LOVE my pouch from Lucky-baby .com! I have used it with my DD since she was 15 mo old. She has slept in it, but she is now getting too tall to sleep comfortably for a long nap, yet she has done it when she is REALLY tired. They have lots of different fabrics and they aren't too expensive.

 

[rt2dz]

I love my baby bjorn. My first two practically lived in it during the first several months. I've also used a snugli (keep in my car for those unexpected moments, MUCH cheaper for a seldom used item) that works fairly well.

I've had problems with most slings. They just aren't my thing. But the last trip, I knew I'd need something for the hip with my toddler. Being pregnant, the playtex hip hamock wouldn't fit right and I wouldn't work well for sleeping (I thought). I ended up buying a type of sling that I LOVE. It worked wonderfully at Disney. Was uncomplicated. Good for sleeping. And now I use it for the baby as a newborn. I got it at Target for about $50 and it is the premaxx baby bag.

 

[WAHMto5]

My little one just turned a year last week and I put her in the New Native Sling and love it! The carriers hurt my back & shoulders to much and the sling is like nothing! I carry her on the hip, or with one leg in and she can sleep in it also!

 

[jenjersnap]

We have traveled a lot with little ones during the past few years so we've tried many baby holders. We have a hip carrier from The Right Start catalog which we used in all over Europe when DS #1 was 13 months old. It bothered both of our backs, but is good for short-term carrying. We used a baby bjorn when we went to WDW last December. DS #2 was 16 months old. For us, in that situation, it worked GREAT. I bought mine from ebay and spent about $35, including shipping.

However, I am a big sling fan too for littler ones. For some reason my younger DS balked at the sling by the time he got to be that age, so we had to abandon it. If you go the sling route, you should practice it as often as possible beforehand to get your little one used to it. I would hate for you to think it's going to be a wonderful option only to have your baby decide that it isn't the way he wants to travel.

Try hotslings.com.

 

[hsmamato2]

Aahh... memories of my sweet baby in his sling at WDW... They're the best, can be used as a nursing cover up, a blanket for when babe is in stroller, something to change baby on, draped over stroller for a sunshade...just get it plenty early, and learn to use it comfortably first! I don't like packing a lot, so this took the place of many potentially bulky items...oh, don't forget a good peekaboo cloth!!! And... they're great for holding a baby!!! And can put on/take off so easily!

 

[ariel'sdaddy]

We are traveling to WDW with our 7 month old DD (about 21 lbs.) and our DD 4 at the end of Nov. My wife is considering buying a hip hammock. Anyone ever used a hip hammock at WDW??

 

[crazywig]

Try hotslings.com.

i am a HUGE fan of the hotsling. i've been using one with my daughter since she was about 4 months. it is fantastic for on the hip, and simple to use plus it's lightweight and folds up small. i've recommended them to friends and they're a big hit.

she is used to the sling and will sleep in it if tired enough.

i don't normally post pics of myself on open forums but here we are in line for dumbo. my daughter just turned 1 and does not walk yet, the sling is invaluable while waiting in ride queue's! (she's 22lbs and 31in btw)

 

[Kermit]

When my babies start to get bigger, I like carriers that center them on my body. My favorite is the Sutemi. It even has a thing that you can put on it that cradles the head of taller babies. Mine loves to sleep in that carrier. Another plus is that it's the one carrier DH will wear. He wears the kids on his back when he uses it. I wear them on the front.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I just bought a brand new sling off ebay for $11.00 including shipping and handling. I have had other carriers but this seems to be the lightest. I just need to get more accustomed to it. I will definetly bring it to Disney next year.

 

[Brygida]

What I want to know is if there is any of these baby carriers can still be used if he falls asleep. I mean, could they carry a sleeping infant? I've never used any of them, and I believe this will be the only way to go, since we are only 2 adults and there will be 3 small kids that could fall asleep simultaneously (not that it happens at home...I wish!...but there is always a possibility....after all, Disney is full of magic ) We are planning to take a double stroller and rent a single stroller at the parks...but what if they are all asleep for example in the airport, where we only have our double stroller and hands full of stuff?

My advice... bring another stroller! A trip to WDW is not a good time to try new things.... new shoes, new carriers.

I thought the slings were the greatest idea, and bought 3 different kinds. My son *hated* all of them. He never slept in any of them. Most of the time he wailed and cried... until we gave up.

If you are intent on having one, buy one now, try it around the house, any place you do a *lot* of walking, etc. If it won't work, return it.

I also think that your baby is too heavy to be carrying around already and will do a number on your back. Unless your husband is a chiropractor and can do adjustments on your vacation, I would not plan on carrying your child around.

 

[Chereya]

This is me and my 1 month old in the wrap. You can tie it in a number of different ways. I also use the same wrap to tie my 2 year old securely on my back. It's very versatile. There's a nonprofit website whose goal is to encourage more women (Americans) to "wear" their babies. It's mamatoto.org and has information about different ways to "wear" your baby, the different cultural origins of the different styles and techniques and also gives instructions on the different techniques.

Right after I took these photos, I went downstairs (2 flights) and did the laundry.

Chereya

 

[shaylahc]

My advice... bring another stroller! A trip to WDW is not a good time to try new things.... new shoes, new carriers.

I thought the slings were the greatest idea, and bought 3 different kinds. My son *hated* all of them. He never slept in any of them. Most of the time he wailed and cried... until we gave up.

If you are intent on having one, buy one now, try it around the house, any place you do a *lot* of walking, etc. If it won't work, return it.

I also think that your baby is too heavy to be carrying around already and will do a number on your back. Unless your husband is a chiropractor and can do adjustments on your vacation, I would not plan on carrying your child around.

Some children will not ride in strollers. My oldest and youngest refused to ride in strollers, even as newborns. They would scream bloody murder. My middle 2 children rode in them just fine Also, my DH says he would much rather carry a baby than push a stroller. A personal preference I guess.

We recently traveled to WDW with a Snugli Backpack. It worked out great! DS could nap whenever he felt like it, and DH said it beat pushing a stroller any day. I also have my own carrier, it's a Hmong style tie on Asian style baby carrier that folds down very small. I got it at Lovewrap.com. I love it!

 

[Kermit]

I also think that your baby is too heavy to be carrying around already and will do a number on your back. Unless your husband is a chiropractor and can do adjustments on your vacation, I would not plan on carrying your child around.

I agree that you should try a new carrier before you leave, but I don't think your baby is even close to too heavy to be carried. I carry my 28 pound 14 month old all the time. I carry him for the better part of the day on vacations without any discomfort at all. If you get a good carrier and you don't have back problems, you'll be fine.

 

[rt2dz]

I also think that your baby is too heavy to be carrying around already and will do a number on your back. Unless your husband is a chiropractor and can do adjustments on your vacation, I would not plan on carrying your child around

I, personally, won't worry about the size of your baby to carry. I carried our 15 months (last trip) around in the sling A LOT while 6 months pregnant (and HUGE!). If the front pack or sling is adjusted properly it takes on the bulk of the baby's weight. Do get used to using it at home as far in advance as possible. Not only does it get baby used to it, you can figure out if that brand/type of carrier will work for you. Often times, when your back hurts, the sling/front pack simply doesn't fit you properly. Sometimes that means an adjustment of straps and other times it means you need a different brand.