Best carrier for 3-1/2 year old? Sling? help...

[toesmom]

Just sold my baby trekker, looking for something to use for easy on/off for my almost 3-1/2 year old ds. I'm thinking ring sling type carrier. Can anyone offer ideas to me? thanks

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I gotta say that I've never heard of a 3 and a half year old in a sling! My daughter is 3 1/2 and I can't imagine how funny she would look in a sling
Anyway-- I would recommend an umbrella stroller for easy ins and outs....

 

[toesmom]

I'm not looking for critical remarks, I'm looking for advice from someone who understands what it is to have a 3-1/2 year old who won't sit in a stroller.

Carriers are wonderful, just trying to find out which is best suited for a child over 3. But thanks for the tip, I already own a volo.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would go with a ring sling. I got one off EBAY for about $11 a few years ago. I wasn't picky about color. It will hold alot of weight and take the strain off your back. It's easy to hold the child on your hip with one of these. Good luck!

 

[jiminy]

I don't think Momneedvacay was trying to be critical (at least I don't think so), I also had never heard of putting a 3 1/2 yo in a baby carrier. I just didn't know it was possible, call me clueless. But hey, whatever works, right? Sorry I don't have any suggestions, I was never coordinated enough to use the baby carriers that we had.

 

[jiminy]

Oh, I meant to ask, how much does your 3 1/2 year old weigh? I don't know of any carriers offhand but I have a friend who swears by hers for her 11month old, I can ask her the brand.

 

[RachaelRol]

Count me in as clueless too. I thought it was a typo for 3 month old.

What does a carrier like this look like?

 

[NU2WDW]

Feet.

 

[Hannathy]

Feet.

You beat me to it!

 

[toesmom]

He weighs 35 lbs now, but it's next to impossible to go out with him and my dd8 because he just takes off and won't sit in the stroller. It's not fair to her, so this is my solution. He likes being held, so it works, and I know the sling-type carriers can support a lot of weight and can easily be put on/off vs mei-tai type carriers.

I am leaning towards a sling carrier with the rings. Just thought some other moms might have tried them with bigger child.

thanks

 

[momof296&02]

Just sold my baby trekker, looking for something to use for easy on/off for my almost 3-1/2 year old ds. I'm thinking ring sling type carrier. Can anyone offer ideas to me? thanks

I have no idea what a ring sling carrier is. Can your DS walk? If not, i'm sure you could purchase something at a medical supply store, or get a script from your doctor for some sort of contraption.

NEVER MIND I JUST READ YOUR POST & SEE THAT HE CAN WALK.

 

[toesmom]

of course he can walk. We walk everywhere and then when it's time to go home (in freezing snow-covered canadian winterland) he gets tired and can't walk back. Wants me to carry him. Hurts my back after 10 minutes.

Can't take stroller because it's too bulky with ice/snow and he heads to the roadway with cars if I'm not right beside him. We also walk down to ravine and nature area, so umbrella stroller doesn't work.

Don't want to take the volo in the snow. So a carrier is the best option for now. HOpe that explanation helps.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

He weighs 35 lbs now, but it's next to impossible to go out with him and my dd8 because he just takes off and won't sit in the stroller. It's not fair to her, so this is my solution. He likes being held, so it works, and I know the sling-type carriers can support a lot of weight and can easily be put on/off vs mei-tai type carriers.

I am leaning towards a sling carrier with the rings. Just thought some other moms might have tried them with bigger child.

thanks

I have tried mine with a bigger child. I didn't go walking all day as my oldest (now 4.5) is very tall but I tried it when he was about 3 and he is a big kid. He fit fine and he thought it was a riot! I did a ton of household chores with him in it and he was more than 35lbs. My 17month old is 30lbs and while he doesn't like the sling he fits in it fine.

 

[macmahony]

I have put my over 3 in a carrier, we have the playtex hip hammock, and she fit fine. I will be getting an Ergo baby carrier for the new baby (it can back carry...might be an option), a ring sling could work, the same as the hip hammock. or how about a backpack? We use one of those too when we go hiking with the kids, and I know we have had at least one of our girls use it over 3.

 

[pezheadval]

I think a ring sling would be a great option. They don't take up much room in a bag when you arent using it, they are light and easy to put on and off. You could easily carry him on your hip and the sling would help support his weight, free up your hands and make it easier on your back. I highly reccomend sleepingbaby.net . She makes wonderful slings.

 

[toesmom]

I'll order a ring sling, I owned a playtex hip hammock and it hurt my neck, so this may be the next best option. This way we can still go for long walks and my back shouldn't hurt the next day.

 

[Tink Wanna Be]

Hi. Even if your toddler won't stay in the stroller at home, bring it on your trip! She'll be soooo tired that eventually she will sit in it. I have the volo too, and you can't get better than that for portability. If you're carrying her some of the time, a sling might help take the weight off a little, but you won't be able to do it for miles on end. I haven't used my sling since my dd was 1 1/2 but I wouldn't say it is easy in/out. But most carriers aren't.

 

[MommyBoo!]

Try www.hotslings.com . We used that when dd was almost 35 pounds and it worked really well.

Sometimes you just need to carry them, I know. DD is pretty good about walking or sitting in the stroller but last year at DW she wanted to be held a lot. And only by DH or I, which was different for her. She usually loves for her older brother or aunts to hold her and she wouldn't let them carry her at all.

 

[pashari]

i would try posting at the forum at www.thebabywearer.com

i just found them and they are a treasure trove of information and support on all different ways of baby/toddler carriers.

hugs -

lisa

 

[toesmom]

thanks for the tips, I'll check out the forum as well. I prefer walking with him but there's times especially with our snowy weather, that strollers aren't really suitable.