Back carrier for 2 yr old - recommendations ASAP for trip next week?

[ninafeliz]

My DS is 2 yrs 5 months, probably just over 30 lbs. I was looking for recommendations for a back carrier to possibly use in the parks. I have an ergo carrier that I can also use on my back, but it just doesn't feel right. I don't want one of the huge ones with the big cage that can sit down by itself, that might be good for hiking but I want something we can shove under the stroller. I also don't want to spend a ton of money because I'm not sure we'll use it much, or we'll like it. Maybe such a thing doesn't exist, but I thought I would see what others have used. If you have one you love but it's expensive still let me know, I'm willing to consider it but would prefer not such a big investment. We leave next Saturday, I really just thought of this, so unless it's on Amazon prime or I pay a ton for shippingI might not be able to get one, but I want to check it out. TIA!

 

[daisygirl902]

What don't you like about the Ergo for back carry?

 

[Meeko5]

I use my Ergo for back carries, but also can only do it for an hour or two before I really start to feel it in my back/neck

I have a girasol woven wrap that I love and find more comfortable, but it would be too hot and cumbersome at WDW in August. I know people who prefer a Tula to an Ergo for back carries, but havent tried that personally.

My DS will only let me carry him on my back if he's up HIGH and can see over my shoulder, have you tried wearing at different heights to see what works best for you?

 

[ninafeliz]

What don't you like about the Ergo for back carry?

He was too low, his face seemed to be shoved in my shoulder blades and he couldn't see. It also felt like it didn't come up high enough on his back, like he might just do a back flip out of it. It also wasn't that comfortable to me, I can't recall exactly why but I remember not liking how it felt on me or how he felt in it. I loved it for the front carry. Maybe I should give it another chance on my back. Mainly I wish he were higher, so he could see over my shoulder and feel more secure.

 

[ninafeliz]

I use my Ergo for back carries, but also can only do it for an hour or two before I really start to feel it in my back/neck

I have a girasol woven wrap that I love and find more comfortable, but it would be too hot and cumbersome at WDW in August. I know people who prefer a Tula to an Ergo for back carries, but havent tried that personally.

My DS will only let me carry him on my back if he's up HIGH and can see over my shoulder, have you tried wearing at different heights to see what works best for you?

I think wearing high would definitely work best for him, I assume I would prefer it as well. As far as I know you can't adjust the ergo height, can you? Because he rides super low on it, so his face was smooshed in my back, which he didn't really like and I didn't find it that comfortable and he didn't feel that secure. As I wrote above, unless I find something else great maybe I should give it another chance.

 

[Meeko5]

I think wearing high would definitely work best for him, I assume I would prefer it as well. As far as I know you can't adjust the ergo height, can you? Because he rides super low on it, so his face was smooshed in my back, which he didn't really like and I didn't find it that comfortable and he didn't feel that secure. As I wrote above, unless I find something else great maybe I should give it another chance.

Try hiking the waist strap up above your waist, closer to your ribs - you'll have to adjust the other straps too, but it will seat him up higher so he isnt staring at your back. I can't wear him for as long as I can lower, but he's much happier there.

I'm assuming there's a spouse (or other adult) coming, any chance they can take turns with you wearing him? a 30 pound kid will get heavy quick, no matter what you put him in!

 

[Meeko5]

Also, have you tried a hip carry in the Ergo? Much more visibility for the kiddo, and you can switch sides when you start to feel sore or fatigued from the one side.

 

[ninafeliz]

Also, have you tried a hip carry in the Ergo? Much more visibility for the kiddo, and you can switch sides when you start to feel sore or fatigued from the one side.

No, I haven't tried that. I pulled out the instructions once, and felt like an idiot because I couldn't make heads nor tails of how to change the straps, and never tried again. maybe there's a you tube video I could look at and try that I again.

I looked up the Tula on amazon, and think I remember someone telling me quite a while ago that they really liked the tula toddler carrier but I didn't get one because I was hesitant about buying something that looked so much like the ergo I already spent $100+ on! Some of the reviews state they like it better than the ergo, and it has free shipping, but I don't know if I can justify another $170 on a carrier I may or may not like. I know my DH will not be happy with another carrier, he made comments when I got the ergo after having a few other kinds, but I ended up being really happy with that. In addition, on amazon it would be touch and go if it came in time, as lately UPS seems to be dropping the ball for us on deliveries- showing out on truck for delivery, and then showing rescheduled. Since it would be coming the day before we leave, I;m sure with my luck it would be a delayed delivery

 

[Meeko5]

Definitely try youtube! Super helpful

Also while I generally never recommend forward facing carriers due to strain on baby's hips, you may have better luck having him be able to see more while in a place like WDW. Target sells Infantino brand versions of a baby bjorn-like carrier for under $30. That way if he isnt on your back, you can pop him on your front looking forward to keep him more entertained.It's rated for up to 25 pounds though, so he might be a bit heavy for it?

http://www.target.com/p/infantino-a...-14320133#prodSlot=medium_1_25&term=infantino

Also check TJ Maxx if you have one in your area - I've seen several brand name baby carriers there recently on clearance!

 

[wdwbride2005]

No, I haven't tried that. I pulled out the instructions once, and felt like an idiot because I couldn't make heads nor tails of how to change the straps, and never tried again. maybe there's a you tube video I could look at and try that I again.

I looked up the Tula on amazon, and think I remember someone telling me quite a while ago that they really liked the tula toddler carrier but I didn't get one because I was hesitant about buying something that looked so much like the ergo I already spent $100+ on! Some of the reviews state they like it better than the ergo, and it has free shipping, but I don't know if I can justify another $170 on a carrier I may or may not like. I know my DH will not be happy with another carrier, he made comments when I got the ergo after having a few other kinds, but I ended up being really happy with that. In addition, on amazon it would be touch and go if it came in time, as lately UPS seems to be dropping the ball for us on deliveries- showing out on truck for delivery, and then showing rescheduled. Since it would be coming the day before we leave, I;m sure with my luck it would be a delayed delivery

I have a Tula and I love it. It definitely fits better for bigger children. If your child wears size 2t or larger you should order the toddler size. And like a pp said, put the waist strap higher-right under your chest-and that will give you a higher carry. Another good option for bigger children is the lillebaby carryon airflow for toddlers. You can get that at Target and it's cheaper than the Tula.

 

[ninafeliz]

I have a Tula and I love it. It definitely fits better for bigger children. If your child wears size 2t or larger you should order the toddler size. And like a pp said, put the waist strap higher-right under your chest-and that will give you a higher carry. Another good option for bigger children is the lillebaby carryon airflow for toddlers. You can get that at Target and it's cheaper than the Tula.

I'm so tempted to buy the Tula toddler, but I'm worried there's a high likelihood that It won't get $175 worth of use. I tend to do that - overbuy and then not use everything! have you also used an ergo and feel the tula is much better, and have you ever used the ergo in the hip carrier position? I'm debating trying the hip carry with my ergo and attempting a higher carry with it (but what do you do with the padded shoulder straps when you do that? I already have them almost as small as they go when I use it with the strap around my waist) vs buying the tula. One is a lot cheaper than the other The tula is free returns on amazon, but I would have to take both down to try them out. I'm also a little concerned that with the heat it will be too hot for me to use it much, plus it's going to get all sweaty I am so bad with decisions!

 

[jacknsally19]

I'm so tempted to buy the Tula toddler, but I'm worried there's a high likelihood that It won't get $175 worth of use. I tend to do that - overbuy and then not use everything! have you also used an ergo and feel the tula is much better, and have you ever used the ergo in the hip carrier position? I'm debating trying the hip carry with my ergo and attempting a higher carry with it (but what do you do with the padded shoulder straps when you do that? I already have them almost as small as they go when I use it with the strap around my waist) vs buying the tula. One is a lot cheaper than the other The tula is free returns on amazon, but I would have to take both down to try them out. I'm also a little concerned that with the heat it will be too hot for me to use it much, plus it's going to get all sweaty I am so bad with decisions!

Honestly, I would say don't get it. It is going to be too hot and too sticky for you to be able to get much (if any) use.

 

[wdwbride2005]

I'm so tempted to buy the Tula toddler, but I'm worried there's a high likelihood that It won't get $175 worth of use. I tend to do that - overbuy and then not use everything! have you also used an ergo and feel the tula is much better, and have you ever used the ergo in the hip carrier position? I'm debating trying the hip carry with my ergo and attempting a higher carry with it (but what do you do with the padded shoulder straps when you do that? I already have them almost as small as they go when I use it with the strap around my waist) vs buying the tula. One is a lot cheaper than the other The tula is free returns on amazon, but I would have to take both down to try them out. I'm also a little concerned that with the heat it will be too hot for me to use it much, plus it's going to get all sweaty I am so bad with decisions!

I do have both (and many other carriers!) I wear my LO a lot, but we just came back from Disney and I used the stroller more because of the heat! I mostly wore while waiting in line or if we had to travel by bus. If it were cooler, it may have been a different story. Do you think your child is going to want to be carried? If so, it's worth it to have a carrier to use but if not then just use your stroller.

The Tula straps are much less bulky than the Ergo. They have multiple adjustments to get a nice fit. The body of the carrier is wider too for more support. The Ergo was good for us until around 9 months, then we switched for more support.
ETA
If you're on Facebook, join The Babywearing Swap. You can sell the Tula after your trip for close to what you paid (probably 130-140 depending on print.) Have a great trip!

 

[ninafeliz]

Thanks everyone for all of your advice! I guess my decision has been made for me, because the only real one that was mentioned was the tula, and it went out of stock with Prime on Amazon. Given that, there's no way to get it here by Friday (I didn't scour the internet for places that would ship fast for expensive shipping fees). I do suspect I would have lieked the tula better, but I may never know if it would have been enough to make it worth it.

FWIW, my son does ask to be carried almost constantly and usually does not like to ride in a stroller and we have to force him into it. That's a big part of why I was considering a carrier even though he's not an infant anymore. he's difficult to just carry for more than a few minutes - luckily my DH does the brunt of the straight out carrying!

 

[Meeko5]

now I am dying to try the Tula lol.

My husband has a BabyHawk oh snap! in Camo that I bought when DS 2 was born. I do find it a little more adjustable and wider than the Ergo. Just to throw another option out there the only type of carrier/wrap I dont have is the Mei Tai so thats just one more to look at if you're still looking for other options.

 

[ninafeliz]

OK, I take it back. Diapers.com has free 1-2 day delivery if I order by 5! If it were going to be cooler I would be more likely to just buy it, but in August he will probably be a sweatball in it. We are going again in December, though...

I'm going to go try to figure out the hip carry on my ergo and see how that feels.

ETA - with free returns!

 

[kboo]

I have a boba and an ergo, and feel like the boba is more secure (goes up higher on the kid's back). Another suggestion re: ergo seeming too low - I have tightened up the shoulder straps and that is usually good for a few inches.

I know you don't want to spend add'l $ - but the boba has foot "stirrups" that your DS might be able to use to get a little higher if he wants to see something. Then again, that can contribute to the "feeling like he's going to do a back flip" feeling. First time I took my DD she was about 22 months in July, and although she's usually a fan of the boba/ergo, it was too hot and she actually preferred the umbrella stroller.

 

[branv]

A person above mentioned lillebaby, which does the side and back carry for higher weights. The good thing is that if you have a buybuybaby locally, they often have carriers out for you to try. And you can use the 20% coupon for it

 

[branv]

Btw: even after watching the side carry videos, I still couldn't figure it out, lol!!

 

[englishteacha]

There's a baby carrier rental place. I don't recall the name, but you can google for it. They could likely ship it to your resort!
ETA: PaxBaby is one place you can rent. This rental shop seems to have them in stock and could ship it to your resort: http://earthbabyboutique.com/products/tula-toddler-blue-zig-zag-rental

My daughter wouldn't even let me put her in the carrier at 2. I loved wearing her. I had a sling and a Beco Butterfly II. Loved my butterfly, but if Tulas had been around, that's likely the route I'd have gone.

Luckily, Z still likes to ride in her stroller on long days. (We are season pass holders to Story Land in NH and go a couple times a month.) You may have to just have your child ride in the stroller. If being carried isn't a choice, and he can either walk or ride, he will likely ride. That's how Z is. "Mumma, pick me up!" "Nope. You can walk, or you can ride in the stroller." These days she picks walking most of the time but last year she picked stroller.