Best Baby Carrier Option For 9 Month Old

[mybubaloo]

We are going in a few weeks with DD who will be 3 & DS who is 9 months. I will have a double stroller & will also bring my peanut shell & use the hip carry. But since you are buying something now, I would reccomend the Ergo. We have one & love it, but I prefer the sling for this trip bcs it's so easy to put on & DS is still little enough that I can keep him on my hip.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I have a babyhawk, ergo, belle, hotsling and a bjorn...(don't ask...it is a bit of an obsession....)

Having used all at WDW at one point or another, I really prefer the Ergo, hands down. No worrying about straps to tie, you can wear the LO in front, side or back carry and it is just easy and more importantly, comfortable. Not inexpensive, but certainly worth it.

I totally agree (except I have a Beco). For long term carries the Ergo/Beco just cannot be beat. However, if you are not comfortable with a back carry and would prefer to front carry, I would get a mei tai (like the babyhawk). A mei tai cannot be beat for a front carry but if yo are willing to figure out the back carry, the Ergo/Beco can't be beat!

At 9 mos it's a toss up. The mei tai would work. The Beco would work. FOr an 18 mos old I would go with a ssc for sure!

 

[AKADrea]

just another saying use a SSC (soft structured carrier)


Here's DS in the Beco last year - he was about 18 lbs

I also used a Mei Tai periodically because it folds up smaller (this one is made of a UPF fabric, solarveil)

 

[flipflopmom]

I have several baby wraps that I love!!!!!! I have a Storch Inka and a Leo Nat, for all you babywearing fanatics! My DD will be 2 1/2, I worry about her being too hot. Any experience w/wraps out there?

 

[El&Asmom]

I have several baby wraps that I love!!!!!! I have a Storch Inka and a Leo Nat, for all you babywearing fanatics! My DD will be 2 1/2, I worry about her being too hot. Any experience w/wraps out there?

When are you going? During the hot weather, I would worry that all of that fabric would get hot. How about a Gypsy Mama. (Sorry I'm not a wrapper, but I think that they have ones that are a lighter fabric so it may work at Disney).

I wore dd in our BH in Sept. We were warm, but not anymore than we would have been with me just holding her like I would have had to w/out a sling.

Wish I had more advise. Aren't there some SV/SW wraps out there as well? Maybe those would be less hot than a woven.

 

[TinkerBrie]

I also use the Playtex Hip Hammock and love it!!! I used it on our trip last year when DD was 6 mos. old and will be using it this trip and DD is 20 mos. old!

 

[stacy6552]

While back problems are a whole other can of worms, I have found pretty consistantly that if the Bjorn or any front carrier is hurting your back, you need to hike the baby up higher. Back pain comes from weasring the baby too low.

We used the Baby Bjorn when our son was 11 mos and again at 21 mos at WDW. We loved it because it was easily transfered/adjusted with baby inside between Dh and myself. And like all the front carriers, baby can stay inside suring shows and on rides. Something you cant do with backpack carriers.

 

[tinytreasures]

I love my beco and Kanga
I took our 2yr old in the Kanga last week it was great she loves to "ride momma"

 

[jpkkld]

If you're looking for a true "baby" carrier, I have nothing to add. But you mentioned camping/hiking too, and for parks AND hiking, Kelty makes a few models that are worth considering. They are all frame backpacks, and they are all suitable for any baby over 2 months that can hold his head up. They have a lightweight model (7 lb?) that (I think) has a mesh panel against the parent's back - much cooler for the parent. They have other heavier/sturdier models too. They all use 5-pt. harnesses and are very safe. I strapped my dd into hers at 4 months and we could still use it now if we wanted (she's 4). The bottom frame sort of "folds in" so you wouldn't be whacking people as you walk around.

Pros: you won't be sharing body heat, baby gets a GREAT view, no stroller to deal with

Cons: as others have pointed out, the frame packs can't go on most rides

Good sources: craigslist, Sierra Trading Post, and Campmor. Not sure what current prices are, but ours was about $100 5 years ago. Plus $20 rain/sun hood.

-Kristin

 

[grealock]

Moby wrap. It holds up to 35 lbs and is incredibly comfortable for the parent. They have a website.

 

[stacy6552]

I dont know much about the other carriers mentioned, but another great feature about the Bjorn is that your child can ride face in or face out, a feature that doesnt seem possible with the others based on the pictures posted.

 

[El&Asmom]

I dont know much about the other carriers mentioned, but another great feature about the Bjorn is that your child can ride face in or face out, a feature that doesnt seem possible with the others based on the pictures posted.

The only problem with facing out, is that it is not ergonomically correct for babies spine and hips. For short periods, I'm sure it's fine, but many who do babywear do so on a daily basis. I wouldn't want to use a Bjorn that often.
I had a Bjorn with my first, and it was fine, but after I got a couple of the other carriers mentioned, I realized how much more comfortable they are and how much longer I could use them. The Bjorn is expensive, and I would rather invest in something that I can use for longer than a couple of months.
Not trying to start a debate, just wanted to offer a different view.

 

[smiths02]

For your comfort and baby's comfort at that age, I highly recommend an Ergo. You can buy them used and they have good resell too.

My son is/was small, but we did an Ergo around Disneyland, SeaWorld, and Knotts in CA...and it was great. We were flying and didn't want to bother with a stroller or pay to rent one either!

And front carry would be hard on both of you for an entire day at 9 months (unless it was a wrap, haven't tried one of those).

Also, in Disneyland...I was specifically MADE to take my son out of the Ergo and hold him on rides (Ergo does have a front carry option where the child is facing you, Disneyland CMs told me I had to remove him...which is kind of silly on say Pirates of the Carribean...he would actually be much safer strapped to me than in my lap!), so don't count on not having to remove the baby if it is in a Bjorn or any other front carry.

We have never been stroller people (except for jogging). I used the Ergo for EVERYthing and then he started walking and either he walks or we just carry him now. We will take a stroller to DisneyWorld (he will be almost 3), but I have a feeling it will be more for pushing stuff around than pushing him around

 

[Disneylover42]

Ergo or a beco hands down. They are my favorites.

 

[aestapa]

The hotsling is lightweight and folds up to nothing. We used it up until our youngest was 2 for waiting in lines etc.

You need a stroller for the rest of the park. I don't like the rentals, so we always take our own.