Carrier question....

[PatricenPete]

I was all set to by the Hip Hammock for our upcoming trip this October, but then I read that it was recalled, so now I am in search of another carrier.

DS is pretty big - at 4 1/2 months, he is already 17 pounds and 26", so I don't think that a sling will be the best way to go.

Recommendations?

 

[kdtwiss]

I would say Baby Bjorn all the way!! It is expensive and I have tried substitutes, but alas - there is something about that carrier that works so much better than others!With my first I tried the sling, and various other carriers and they all left me achy and sore pretty quikly. With my next three I used a Baby bjorn and none of them was ever even IN a carriage untill they were about a year old. The carrier is convenient and comfy. I wore my babies all the time!And I did not have small babies by any means - my last was 11 pounds 4 ounces at birth! I would say - look for one on Ebay or on sale - but it is worth the $$ even if you have to pay full price!

 

[Bird-Mom]

i still carry my 3 year old 35 pounder in the sling. you will be able to wear him on your hip in the sling. i also recommend a mei tai, but it is a little more complicated than the sling.

 

[sukhakuli]

I'm pregnant and still carry my 2 year old in the sling. We stopped using the Bjorn by 3 months, it hurt my back too much. A hip carry is very comfortable, I have both an unpadded ring sling and a pouch. More importantly, she loves it; she calls it snuggling.

 

[mommyrom]

I bought a One Step Ahead Carrier/Hammock on ebay some time ago and it was practically brand new. My 17 month old is 30 pounds and we are taking it with us in May for occasional use (ie: lines, a break from the stroller, etc.). I lucked out and found mine on ebay, but I have seen the same exact item in One Step Ahead's catalog very recently. Good luck carrying!

 

[dtsaos]

I used the baby bjorn for my DS until he was about 5 mo. old. I would've used it longer, but I'm on the short side (5'2") and he was big for his age, so the combo just didn't work right. I think you'll find that most women that use the baby bjorn until the baby is about a yr old are probably taller women. That said, if you plan on having another, you might want to get one when you do because they are great to have for really young babies. I never had any luck with slings or other types of carriers-found them to be a pain and uncomfortable but I have used the backpacks and those are surprisingly comfortable and older infants seem to like them a lot. Just thought you might want to consider that as an alternative. We plan on going to WDW in Sept when my DD 2 mo will be about 8 mo old and we'll probably use a stroller for the most part and maybe a backpack. Also keep in mind that a front carrier will make you and baby very hot! Just my 2 cents-good luck deciding.

 

[Kermit]

I have big babies, and we really like the Kozy. I think you have to buy them online, but they're great. If you sew, you can even find free patterns for them online. I sewed mine in about 2 hours total.

 

[LilMamiBella]

www.kangarookorner.com has all sorts of carriers available!

 

[ksoehrlein]

I have an EllaRoo sling, which I purchased for my heavy 16-month-old (at the time) DS. Imagine my surprise when my 45lb 4yo DD wanted to try it. The directions said it would be able to handle her weight in the hip carry position, and you know what? It did!

We'll be taking the sling on our Mommy and Me trip so that if she falls asleep on the bus, I'll be able to carry her back to the room. (It's almost impossible for me to do it without the help of the sling redistributing her weight.) So from a longevity point of view, I highly recommend the EllaRoo.

 

[Colinsmom]

He's probably too heavy for a Bjorn (I found the Bjorn uncomfortable at 10lbs), so I wouldn't go that route, but he's definitely not too big for a sling in a tummy-to-tummy or hip carry. (BTW, I found the Hip Hammock to be downright painful, so you aren't missing anything there.) I carried my 31lb 2.25 year old tummy-to-tummy in a Kozy (www.kozycarrier.com) at Disney in December quite comfortably. We still like our Kangaroo Korner adjustable pouches, too (have a fleece and a cotton one). Another easy option is the Hotsling www.hotsling.com but I prefer the adjustable pouches, personally.

www.thebabywearer.com has great reviews of tons of different carriers!!

 

[kcbean]

I say Baby Bjorn. I had others but nothing compares to a Baby Bjorn. I wish I would of bought it for my first two children but instead bought it for baby #3. I keep thinking I will sell it on Ebay but never have. If you are interested in mine email me at kbeanjokebag@aol.com

 

[MommyPoppins]

I also say get a sling. I got one with my forth child and I wish I had gotten one sooner. We used it a couple weeks ago at MK and I carried him(2mo.) all day without ANY back problems. I also put my 2 year old in it, on my hip, sometimes when I am cleaning, just to burn a few extra calories. I got mine from PeaPod Slings . She has several beautiful fabrics to choose from and they are really nicely made. I plan on using mine for our youngest when we go in September, he'll be 9 months then.

 

[*Susan*]

Patrice, my 4.5 month old daughter is almost the same size as your son (26.5" and 16 pounds) - the Bjorn, which I liked in the beginning, is REALLY uncomfortable now. The only way my back doesn't hurt is if I have the 'x' on the back fairly low & that means the baby is higher on my chest, she's practically sitting right at my chin and it isn't very comfy. I am 5'9" so this might be why but I wouldn't go with the Bjorn.

 

[lclark0621]

I have a Mei Hip Carrier for my DS (http://www.meihipcarrier.com/index.html).
It is wonderful! My DS is a big 20 month old (28.5 lbs, & 34.5 inches long), and we are both perfectly comfortable when I carry him in our hib carrier.

 

[akrake]

i used the mobywrap at epcot when our baby was 7 weeks...it's rated for up to 35lbs. at 17months i can still wear her. check out www.fairuzasball.com for more info.

i had also used a pouch/sling on our last trip, but found that i could not wear her as long as in a wrap. with the wrap you can wear them on your front or back, but it's a matter of personal preferance. good luck
akrake

 

[crazywig]

i used my pouch sling (mom n me adjustable hemp fleece) with dd on our most recent trip in jan. she was 4 months, 16lbs and 27in. i found it invaluable while waiting in queues and more importantly in restaurants! at that age she couldn't sit in a high chair and often we couldn't take my sbs double stroller in to eat. she slept in the cradle position in my sling during many a meal!

i like the pouch because it's easy on/off. i have a moby wrap as well and i love it for home, just not comfortable wearing it in public. you should be able to use a pouch sling up to 2yrs and about 35lbs.

i'll be getting a hotsling this spring