Best Baby Carrier

[Lstar311]

I am in need of a new baby carrier for our trip to Disney in 2 weeks. My baby has just about outgrown her Bjorn after 6 months. I'd like something affordable that I can use for a few more months and I do not want to wear her on my back. I like to see her in front of me!

 

[epcotprincess]

The Gypsy Mama Bali Breeze is cool enough to wear in Disney: http://www.gypsymama.com/shop/breeze.htm

There's also the Moby, but it could be a little warm for you and baby while in Orlando. I am in love with my Moby. My dd is around 22 lbs and 30 inches and does excellent in both the hug hold and the lotus hold. Good luck!

ETA: I have had a problem with my L5-S1 disc since 2003. It's been herniated twice and I've been in physical therapy off and on. I cannot wear the bjorn for longer than about 45 minutes without being in pain. The wraps, however... I can wear those in complete comfort while being active for up to 2-3 hours.

 

[robinsegg]

I also plan to use my Bali Breeze with our 17mo when we go after Thanksgiving. We've already taken 2 vacations (Chicago & Springfield, IL) with baby and w/o a stroller using either a Moby or the Bali Breeze. We love it, and she *hates* sitting in a stroller . Also, the Bali Breeze can be worn in different positions and is really superthin to combat heat.
Rachel

 

[SoonerSarah]

I've had a Bjorn, a Hotsling and a Zolowear Sling, and I've barely used the Bjorn with my 3rd, I used the Hotsling only until she was 6-7 months old, and since then I've almost exclusively been using the Zolowear. My girl is 12 months old and 18 pounds.

 

[rparmfamily]

I used a Bjorn with my second and fell in love with my Ergo with my 3rd. I tried on my Bjorn after using a Ergo and there is no comparision. I couldn't believe how much the Bjorn hurt my back, I could feel it pulling in some areas.

 

[luckylady131]

Depends on what kind of carrier you are looking for. Since you have a bjorn you might be more comfortable with a "buckle system" so I would look into an:
Ergo - http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/category/carrier/
Pikkolo - http://catbirdbaby.com/index.php/pikkolo-info/
Beco - http://www.becobabycarrier.com/products.asp

If you think you want to try a wrap/sling style of carrier, the I would lood into theses:
Gyspy Mama wrap: http://www.gypsymama.com/shop/breeze.htm
Hot Slings (this is going out of business, and you may get a great deal on one) http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n:166828011,p_4:HotSlings&page=1

This is a great website that is very informative regarding various types of carriers. http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php. This is another great site that has a lot of different types of carriers: http://www.theslingstation.com/

I have a 6 month old that I wear a lot. I personally have a Gyspy Mamy Bali Breeze wrap and love it (http://www.gypsymama.com/shop/breeze.htm) I keep it at home and wear it around the house. Living in Houston, it gets hot here, and I don't feel too uncomfortable to wear her with it. I also have a the water wrap, and LOVE it.

I also have an Ergo carrier which I LOVE. I bought it 4.5 years ago when we went on a cruise because I didn't want to take a stroller. So I wore my daughter for 80% of the trip (she was 2.5 years old) - and even with a bad back, I didn't get tired or a sore body. The carrier is still going strong!! I keep it in the car and use it for outings with my little one. I bought it from this site because they have a 90 day guarantee, so if for some reason you don't like it, you can return it - http://www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com/.

 

[sweetsusannah]

LOVE my Ergo! Tried several others and none compared to it.

 

[~Kristina~]

I have an Ergo, Beco, Baby Hawk Mei Tai, Moby, pouch slings, ring sling, but my FAVORITE is the Ergo and then Beco. You may want to try diaperswappers.com or thebabywearer.com for a used carrier to save money. Bjorn's aren't very good carriers for babies or moms.

 

[Lstar311]

wow everyone, thanks for the great responses. I am going to check out all the carriers and links later. I got my bjorn at my baby shower over 3 years ago for my son before I knew anything about babywearing. I love to carry my little girl and that is the only way I get through the grocery store with 2 kids so I am definitely in need of something that will hold my chunky monkey without breaking my back and shoulders.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ergo or Beco.

You might, depending on how you've been wearing her in the bjorn, have to get used to having her face your body. But that's OK, because she will be more comfy and your back will likely be more comfy, and her pelvis will be more supported.

And the people behind you in line at the store will be able to make the goofiest faces in the universe at her to make her giggle, and then you get the fun of turning around and catching those silly grownups in the goofy-face act.

 

[LoveBugs]

The new Beco Gemini is amazing! Highly recommend it!

 

[Ash&Wes07]

I want an ergo.

I have a LoveyDuds wrap now, which is the same concept as the Moby, but cuter, and I love it. I don't find it hot at all.

I have a Zolowear ring sling as well, but that is my short-use carrier. I can't use it for a whole day.

 

[tinkercat]

I have to add my vote for the Ergo. We LOVE ours (even DH will wear her in it) and I think it was worth every penny we spent on it.

 

[bellarella]

I'd highly recommend either the Ergo or Beco. Because both of them use buckles, it is generally easier for someone new to the babywearing thing to maneuver them.

I used pretty much everything (wraps, slings, mei tais, beco) and I went with my beco for Disney, even though my mei tai was my favorite. For me, a sling won't cut it for a full day (or even a couple of hours). Wraps and mei tais could both leave me in a situation where I'd have to retie, which, if you are distracted, have your hands full, etc. can mean you get stuff dragging on the ground mid-tie. Popping my LO in and out of a wrap never left me quite as comfortable as a fresh tie, so the Beco was a great way to go -- quick buckle and no adjusting and I was off

 

[MissChris]

I want to put in one more vote for the Ergo, I love it. And in a few months when she's bigger and you feel more comfortable moving her onto the back you can carry her back there for a long time. I wore my daughter in the Ergo until she was almost 3 and it was great. She had a great view out the side, and eventually over my shoulder and it was a nice way for us to travel together.

 

[Lstar311]

Ok, I'm leaning towards the Ergo after reading all the responses. I am a bit worried that she's not going to be happy staring at me all day though. Hope she doesn't mind!

 

[~Kristina~]

See if there is a babywearing group in your area. They tend to have a lending "library" of carriers for people to try.

 

[LoveBugs]

Ok, I'm leaning towards the Ergo after reading all the responses. I am a bit worried that she's not going to be happy staring at me all day though. Hope she doesn't mind!

I really doubt she'd mind that! I wore by second daughter in an Ergo and Beco and she never forward-faced and never seemed to mind. That said, the Beco Gemini that I posted about earlier does have a forwarrd-facing setting. I haven't used it (my third DD is only 3 months old), but it is there as an option.

 

[rparmfamily]

I always back-carry my DD in my Ergo. (she's 15 mo) When she was younger we faced towards me.

 

[lizzyb]

I love my mei tai. We used it pretty much all day on our last trip and had no issues.