Baby wearing in the parks

[caegan]

I'm seriously thinking of buying a Slingling to carry my 2 1/2 year old DD (she's really small - only 23 lbs.) around when we visit WDW in May. Has anyone else tried one of these in the parks and had success with it? Any other suggestions for a toddler?

 

[erin327]

Last March my daughter was 22 months old and about 25 pounds. We did 7 days in the parks. She walked some and the rest of the time I wore her in a bamberoo. It is a type of mei tai. It worked great for us! I don't think a slingling would be as comfortable for long hours of wearing because it is only supported on one shoulder. Depending on how long your days are and how much she will walk, you might be fine. Also if you plan to use a stroller most of the time and just use the slingling for waiting in line and things like that, it will probably work fine too. We didn't have a stroller.

I carried her through the parks, for all naps, and after she fell asleep at night. We were able to go where we wanted without having to deal with a stroller. She was used to being worn, so it brought her some comfort. I could do lots of attractions with her on me. No parking and picking up the stroller. Can't say enough about how handy it was and how well it worked for us.

You can check out www.thebabywearer.com for tons of great information about different types of baby carriers. You do have to register to have access to the forums.

Good luck!

 

[Amyhoff]

What a great idea! I am bringing my stroller because my 2 1/2 year old is well over 30 lbs and I have stopped wearing her at home. However, I never thought about the problem with waiting in line. I know her and that the crowds will make her want to be held. At 4 months pregnant, I don't think I could just hold her for very long, but my ergo will be the perfect solution!

Thanks!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Slinglings are not very good for LONG periods of carrying.... I had one for almost a year - then we moved on to the Ergo ..... much more comfortable!

 

[monkey30]

I have a wrap, and it was awesome to wear my 2mth old(he is near 16lbs!)

worked great for rides, lines everything.

 

[PollyannaMom]

When DS was 18 months, I took a hip carrier from One Step Ahead. It folded up so small (like a fanny pack) when he wasn't in it, and was just perfect.

 

[DrMomof3]

My son didn't walk until 20 months and by then he'd been to Disney twice! I wore my Ergo both times and it was awesome!!!

Amanda

 

[caegan]

Thanks for the great info. everyone! I'm sure she'll be happy in a stroller most of the time, but I know she'll want to be held when we're waiting in line for rides.

Erin - how nice that you never needed a stroller! I wish that was possible for us, but I think she'll want to ride some of the time.

 

[jensuelee]

I have used a Beco baby carrier in the parks with great success. They are similar in style to an Ergo (which I have also heard great things about).
My daughter was 26 lbs. and not walking the last time we were in the parks, and I could carry her for several hours without any problem. In fact, she typically napped in the carrier while I was walking around.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[El&Asmom]

I wore my 14mo in a ring sling last month. She is big at over 25lbs and 95% in height. It worked great and was nice for "popability". We also brought our Ergo, but never used it since I don't use it as a front carrier, and I wanted something that I could use without taking dd out of during rides.

I've worn her and my older dds in mei tais at the parks when they are younger but not beyond about a year old.

I think a pouch sling could work out, but make sure you get the right size. If it's too big or small it won't be comfortable especially with a bigger child. That's why I think a ring sling is better at that age. It is adjustable and more user friendly as babies size changes.

I have a wrap that was converted to a ring sling by Sleeping Baby Productions. Jan makes great slings at very affordable prices.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Perfect timing for this post!

We're going next month and my new little one will be 10 weeks then. Also going again in June when he'll be 4 months.

I have a Beco Butterfly 2 which I love for him. But I think during the heat of the afternoons ( esp. the June trip) he'll get pretty hot in it.

Suggestions for a type of sling for him to use when he's not in the Beco? Also...something that might be easy to nurse him in?

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

I took a pouch sling with my DS when he was 6 months old, and a ring sling at 10 months old.

I prefered the ring sling, just because I found it easier to distribute his weight across my back. It's made of cotton, so wasn't too hot either, especially considering we went in May. He slept in it, and I was able to pull the "tail" up to cover him if we were out in the sun. He rode a number of rides while in it, and slept through several as well, including Haunted Mansion!

Looking forward to being able to "sling" around the next baby, since DS is now too heavy and too busy to be bothered with the slings!!

 

[i12go2wdw]

When my youngest dd was just over 2 we brought a Hippy Chick and a stroller, it is the easiest carrier for a toddler because you just pick them up and they are on it. It is like a solid topped fanny pack that you wear around your waiste on your hip and it acts like a seat for them, facing you or facing out, they can even be held hands free once they get the hang of it. It is so easy on your back and arms, no shoulder straps at all. Have a look
http://www.hippychick.com/index.cfm/children/Products.List/category_id/65/subject/hippychick_hipseat

 

[caegan]

Oooh.... the HippyChick looks cool. Thanks for posting the link. It doesn't look very compact - is it? Is it actually a fanny pack too with a space to put things or is it just a seat? I can't tell from the picture.

 

[SnowWhite12]

I just bought a used BabyHawk Mei Tai (based on referrals from a similar thread I posted on here). Can't wait to try it out! They said it shouldn't be as hot, because it's all cloth (but very sturdy). Supposed to hold up to 45 pounds. I bought it to wear on the front, because I have a really bad back. But it's very popular on the back as well (probably more so).

 

[i12go2wdw]

Oooh.... the HippyChick looks cool. Thanks for posting the link. It doesn't look very compact - is it? Is it actually a fanny pack too with a space to put things or is it just a seat? I can't tell from the picture.

When it is off and the strap is wrapped around it it is about the size of a loaf of bread and weighs about a pound. I would just leave it on or put it in the stroller if it wasn't being used. It has a small pocket that could hold a very small wallet or just your key to the world, some kleenex and fastpasses, what else could you need

 

[tublady]

My son is 22 months is 27 pounds and I use a Scootababy carrier. He loves it and will sit for a long time in it. It's super comfortable and adjustable for both me (5'8" pooh sized) and my DH (5'3" and normal build). It was nice for his first trip too, at 9 months he had just started walking but would sit in the carrier in lines because he was contained and we didn't have to worry about him trying to run off. On a lot of rides (anything without a lap bar) and going to the shows he would stay in it and I didn't have to take it on and off all the time. This was especially nice if he fell asleep, my DH and I could still do things together with our DD, instead of one of us waiting while he slept in the stroller.

 

[~Kristina~]

I've worn 3 of my kids around Disney. Worked out very well!

ETA: I take a sling and my Beco. The Beco is better for back support than a sling.

 

[aestapa]

My youngest was about that size at 2.5 and I used a Hotsling. Its one of the fabric ones that folds up really small. I used it primarily in ride lines and it was a life saver! I have a minor back injury, and the sling was able to distribute the weight enough to make holding him work. When not in use, I just folded it up into the diaper bag. You do have to get one to fit you though, so make sure to check the sizing. It has to do with the distance between your shoulder and hip bone (I think). Have fun!!

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

I took a Patapum Toddler for my almost-3 year old last year. It's taller and more supportive for a taller/heavier child than a regular Patapum, Ergo, or other SSC. I really love it for long term carrying such as hiking. For us at Disney, there was too much picking-up, putting down, walking, strollering etc. and I got tired of using it. I just wanted an alternative to carrying her in lines or short term carrying to de-stress her. This year, she'll be almost 4 but I'm taking a sling because she won't be in it a lot. We'll be having the stroller at all times, too.