Carrier or Sling for older baby.....Questions?

[disney4us91]

We are going in June with a 9 month old, I have one of those front carriers that we used on our trip in January when she was 5 months old and it was fine but she has grown a bit since then and I need a hip sling. I have been researching and the playtex hip hammock looks complicated and painfull. I like the Hotsling and the Peanut Shell but I cant find and reviews on them. I am also worried about the heat and if these would be hot, we usally go in cooler months. Anyone have any suggestins or have dealt with any of these. This is my third child and first that I use a sling with and I just do not know much about them. Thanks for any imput!

 

[Oceana]

A wise investment would be an ergo baby carrier... will carry your kid till he is 4 years old, back hip or front.... it is seriously comfortable regardless of childs weight.... It ditributes the weight in such a way (on your hips rather than shoulders) a babies weight seems like nothing

 

[lutherlovr]

I use the hip hammock for my DS1 and also used it for my DS now 2.5 and I love it...some people may really disagree, but I like how his legs were able to go one on either side of me it felt like I was really carrying him. The slings to me feel really not secure, like he might fall out. The hip hammock goes all the way up his back so it feels really secure. My husband is 6'4" he wears it and I am 5'6" so it fits a wide range. It is a bit hot in the summer, but we take breaks so it is ok. I think all carriers can be hot to some extent. I also have a mei tai style carrier and DS1 can ride on my hip, back, or front we love that one too. That one you can make as tight or loose as you want as you control all of the ties. (Can you tell I like to feel that the baby is really secure in there?!)

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

I use the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder with my DS. He'll be three in August and weighs about 29 lbs. I carried him all around Sea World in January. It's very comfortable and easy to use. Front, back and on the hip.

DH also uses it comfortably.

I paid only $30 for mine through a Bradley Method instructor.
http://www.slingbaby.com/

 

[dsneygirl]

We have an Ergo for DS (10months) and have been practicing getting ready. DS is 21lbs and it's so easy to carry him with this. I prefer the back carry.

 

[solferino]

I loved using a sling when DD was little- especially once I mastered carrying her on my back with it. Much easier tossing that in a diaper bag than a backpack or other carrier with straps going all over the place. Do you know anyone that uses a sling and could help you?

Actually, I think I have some instructions on using a sling somewhere here in my files. If you PM Me your email address I'll send it to you.

 

[disney4us91]

I like the Ergo, it's a bit pricey, I don't know how much I will use it outside of Disney. I have heard alot of good things about it though. I wonder if there is one that is made kind of like that. I will have to think about it.

 

[disney4us91]

I loved using a sling when DD was little- especially once I mastered carrying her on my back with it. Much easier tossing that in a diaper bag than a backpack or other carrier with straps going all over the place. Do you know anyone that uses a sling and could help you?

Actually, I think I have some instructions on using a sling somewhere here in my files. If you PM Me your email address I'll send it to you.

You know it's strange but none of my friends use slings, I really do not see many people out using them except for the regular type you can get anywhere. What kind of sling did you use?

 

[toesmom]

A wise investment would be an ergo baby carrier... will carry your kid till he is 4 years old, back hip or front.... it is seriously comfortable regardless of childs weight.... It ditributes the weight in such a way (on your hips rather than shoulders) a babies weight seems like nothing

I carry my 3-1/2 yo guy in it and he weighs over 40 lbs now and it feels fine.

That's my recommendation.

Check www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com they have great refund policy after 30 days if you are not pleased.

Lots of carriers out there, but most are only comfortable when babies are small.

 

[solferino]

You know it's strange but none of my friends use slings, I really do not see many people out using them except for the regular type you can get anywhere. What kind of sling did you use?

I made mine from the pattern available through Elizabeth Lee Designs. It looks very much like a mayawrap (http://mayawrap.com/viewItem.asp?It...Original Maya Wrap Sling&VendorDesc=&Search=N) I'm short and find the non-padded ones work MUCH better, especially for the back carry, as it's able to be tightened a lot more. Once the padded rails get in the way there's no more adjusting that can be done. YMMV


http://www.peppermint.com/ has a great selection of carriers as well. A friend of mine loves the Vietnamese meitai type.

Sometimes La Leche League groups sell slings. Even if you arent' a member and can find one in your area you could call one of the leaders to see if they have any available to sell and if someone could help you with it.

 

[katerkat]

I used a Moby wrap and a Mei Tai with my 25 pound, 2 year old. The Mei Tai worked best in WDW when he was 20 months old - he napped on me and it was easy to roll up and toss in the bottom of the stroller when we didn't need it.

 

[rocky41102]

You should look over thebabywearer website. It's pretty helpful. Good Luck!

 

[snugglepeas]

we just got back from disney with are 10 month old daughter and while we were there I used my sutemi pack carrier it's rated to hold up to 65lbs and can be worn as a front, back or hip carrier, I really love it. you would hardly know it was on, it has a nice wide waist strap to distribute the weight and nice padded shoulder strap(s) so they dont dig in. it was $80 with shipping and well worth the money.

 

[MommyBoo!]

I used a Hotsling and loved it. It was comfortable for DD and me. Not a lot of people use slings around here either and I got lots of compliments and questions from new moms and mom-to-bes. I believe they have some lightweight or hot weather alternatives on their site.

 

[tanyaandallie]

If you are looking for something that you can use with a 9 or 10 mos old baby, I would get one of the more structured carriers so you can back carry. It is by far the most comfortable way to carry a bigger child. My ds is 2 and I will be using ours (a beco) when we go to Disney in May. I carried him in it in the fall when we went and it is sooooo comfy.

The options I know of are - The Ergo, The Beco, The Patapum, Sutemi, and a few others I can't remember. I have a Beco and a Patapum. They are awesome carriers. I much prefer the Beco over the patapum b/c it's such a beautiful carrier. It's also made of a cotton material rather than the canvas type material that the Ergo and the Patapum are made of. The fabric is cooler and much prettier! The Beco also has a much taller back which I prefer. All are great carriers. I think the patapum is the most reasonably priced.

If you are going during a super hot summer month, you might even consider a solarveil mei tai. Solarveil is a very very cool fabric, sort of meshy. A little scratchy but my ds doesn't seem to mind. The fabric is also uv protected (can't remember how much). I have a ring sling made of solarveil and I really love it.

Pesonally, for a trip to Disney, I would not choose a pouch (the hotsling or peanut shell). They are excellent carriers but they are a one shoulder carrier and if you end up carrying your little one a ton at Disney, your shoulder will be in major pain by the end of the day. Plus, they are really a one person carrier. You have to have it fitted to you so you could switch off with your husband unless he was the same size as you!

If you don't want to fork over full price for one of these carriers, check out the for sale or trade board at www.thebabywearer.com. You can find previously owned carriers there. Also, if you buy one and decide you won't use it other than at Disney, you can always sell it (on the baby wearer) when you are done with it.

 

[disney_fan_fam]

I have a peanut shell type carrier, I hold my 16 mos old in a hip carry position. It's very easy to use. I have a friend that makes them ( PM me if interested) and I can give you her website or info, I paid $20 for mine. She also makes ring slings, may even make mei tei carriers.

 

[Hahawillis]

I also have a Sutemi Pack Baby Carrier and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I have big kids. They are babies, but larger in size, and using the Sutemi doesnt kill my back. My husband also likes it.

 

[kelma]

We used the Over the Shoulder when we took our 12 month old and then later when her brother was 9 months and we went to Disney we used it for him. I used our Over the Shoulder with my kids until they were at least 3. I loved it and when they were littler, I nursed it in very easily and discreetly. I'm not sure if you're staying onsite, but I also loved it for the buses. It just felt more secure than only holding them.

I'm a relatively small person and my kids are pretty huge, but I never minded carrying them in the sling.

I've also heard great things about the Maya wraps.

Have fun!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

FYI, I have heard repeatedly that the overtheshoulder babyholder is NOT all that great if you're on the short side. Can't shore it up enough, and baby droops down too much to be comfy for your back.


LOVE the Ergo. I resisted it a long time b/c it's so mainstream with its buckles and other Western stuff, but LOVE it.

If you look at my avatar picture, that's DS at around 1 and 3 months, at Disneyland, in our mesh-bodied mei tai. It was lovely.

I can't remember where I saw it, but I just recently heard that there is a mei tai maker doing them with a solarveil type of body panel, which gives SPF protection as well as being cooler than a cotton type of fabric.


I know that the Hip Hammock has already had a recall b/c of the buckle. It's one reason I resisted the Ergo. But the Ergo is still a MUCH smaller company; a problem with their product would hurt their company FAR more than a huge company, so I feel that they are going to work harder at making sure their workers do it right.

Same with WAHM companies. And those in between.

Hotslings are great, I had one. Ooh, mammasmilk.com slings are lovely, too!!!!

But really, you should get something like the Ergo or Mei Tai where you can wear baby on your front or back, b/c that's *probably* going to be more comfortable for you and a long day at Disney, than having baby on just one side.

 

[disney4us91]

Thanks for all the comments, Wow there are so many to chose from I wish I could try them all out for a day. I did go to babywearer.com and there is alot of info there. I did wonder if my husband would share in holding DD with a hip print from hotslings, I love all the prints but I think I would have to do all the holding, although he has been seen around town holding a Pink Vera Bradley diaper bag. HeHe! I still havent decided yet, What do I do?