Choosing the Right Toddler Carrier

[Sunshein]

We are traveling with friends who have a baby. At the time of travel she will be around 9 months and they were hoping to get a good carrier (ie. back pack) to make the parks more manageable than just with the stroller. Does anyone have suggestions for a good quality carrier? we are at a loss as to what to buy.

TIA

 

[bumbershoot]

Ergo, hands down. A bit spendy, but very comfy for back and front carries (front carries baby needs to face you in the Ergo, but that's fine b/c she can interact with the people behind you, without the interference of your seeing the silly faces they'll give her ).

If not that, a mei tai, but the good ones can get just as spendy as the Ergo!

Now if you want a framed one, I'm not really sure. I looked into the, hmm, Sherpani Rhumba?, I think, from REI for a few minute, but ultimately I really like the soft carriers better, even for sweaty places like Disney and hiking and such. I'm just crazy like that.

 

[Tikicampers]

We have a basic snugli framed backpack type carrier that we really like. Even with the frame it is pretty light, and it has a nice roomy pocket. The best part about it is that it has a shade. I went up the side of a mountain (well a Georgia mountain) when DS was about 15 months and had no problems. Dh and I both use it, and it is easy to adjust. It is also nice, because you can set it on the ground with the baby in it if you need a little break.
I also have a hip carrier (Playtex hip hammock) that I love. It got really mixed reviews though, so I would say to go to BabiesRUs and try it for a little while before you buy it. From the reviews, it seemed that if you had a certain body type you loved it, if not, it started to hurt. Dh does not like this as much as I do, but he's a guy so he doesn't have hips to begin with.
I looked on babies r us, and they have this frame carrier that connects to a stroller frame. I know nothing about it, but I like the idea.

 

[ehrn]

my 29month old, 27ish pound ds still loves to be in it. it's squishable, will stuff right in stroller basket. when he was 23 months i actually wore him at disney on my back and the front facing me--which was good for when he was sleepy and maybe we wanted to go on the people mover or something to relax. we've never used a framed carrier but it would seem a little bulky for disney imo.

 

[ehrn]

i have seen an online place or two that have a 30d return policy on the ergo so you can try it out first. the key to any carrier is to be really comfortable w/it BEFORE you get to Disney, lol!!

 

[woodlandsparty]

I love my playtex hip hammock. It can be worn on the hip or on the front.....the holes for the legs are large so it's not uncomfortable for the toddler. It has a pad on the strap so that it doesn't cut into your neck. It folds into itself when not in use...then the straps click together so that it can be carried like a fanny pack or a purse. My 15 month old still enjoys being carried in it....we wouldn't do Disney without it! Oh...and it's only 20 bucks!

 

[DreaGirl]

We have the ERGO and we LOVE it. It is really easy to use and my DD loves it (she also loved the Snugli, but is too big for it now).

Well worth the money, IMO.

 

[adoptionmomma4]

I also agree the ergo is the way to go. I have a 28 month old DD and we still loves it. I also love my Mei Tai for front carrying (I can’t get her on my back alone). I also LOVE my hot sling for a hip carry with a toddler. I will be taking the hot sling and ergo to Disney in September. I would suggest heading to a baby boutique that carries many types of carriers/slings and trying them out.
Lacy

 

[Amirah95]

I don't have an Ergo yet, but I've been researching carriers like crazy since I found out I was prego. I agree with everyone else here. The Ergo looks like the perfect carrier for a toddler. Also check out this site...it tells you which carriers are best for the age group of you baby and for your comfort.

http://www.wearyourbaby.com/
http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67

The also mentioned Mei Tei are also good and there are some brands you can wear to the side for easy carrying.

 

[kjbrown]

I also agree the ergo is the way to go. I have a 28 month old DD and we still loves it. I also love my Mei Tai for front carrying (I can’t get her on my back alone). I also LOVE my hot sling for a hip carry with a toddler. I will be taking the hot sling and ergo to Disney in September. I would suggest heading to a baby boutique that carries many types of carriers/slings and trying them out.
Lacy

I second the hot sling! I've used my own homemade one for my son from newborn til now (he's 11 months). I hip carry him now and it's great. The fabulous thing about a sling is that it folds up to a small amount of fabric, so I can throw it in my bag when I don't need it!

For a framed carrier, my DH and I love our Kelty. We used it for DD and now for DS. But I don't think I'd bring it to WDW because of the weight and bulk.

 

[pumpkin5156]

This is just my opinion, but my DS is 9 months old and he is waaay to heavy for a carrier. He is only the 10% for his weight too! I know all babies are different, but my DS loves his stroller, especially when we're some where very stimulating (like DL or WDW). I would skip the carrier and the back ache altogether, We took my DS to DL twice when he was 3 months, and the carrier was awesome then, but at 9 months....many babies wouldn't have it.

I like my Baby Bjorn, though. But 9 months is too big for a Bjorn. Good luck and have fun!

 

[toesmom]

Ergo baby carrier... I carry my over 3-1/2 year old 42 lb ds in it every time I go to Costco and for airports and ride lines when he won't sit in stroller (fairly often). I highly recommend it and has high resale value, so you get most of your money back once you are done with it.

visit www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com it has excellent explanation of the carrier and great return policy after 30 days if you are not totally satisfied.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

My daughter-in-law has a Heart 2 Heart sling (actually, more than one) and uses it for her daughter (who is two) all the time. It's gotten us through three WDW trips! They also have one made out of fabric with the Toronto Maple Leaf logo all over it - my son likes to wear this one when he's carrying Callista. Very comfortable, and adjustable to different positions - you can use it to carry the baby on your hip, or in front. We also like the Cuddly Wrap.

Teresa

 

[tanyaandallie]

A 9 mos old is the perfect age for a back carrier!!! They are not too heavy at all! I carried my 20 mos old in our carrier last fall and never once had a back ache. It all depends on what carrier you get.

I would not get a snugli, baby bjorn type carrier. They are just not as comfy for bigger babies.

I would get a soft structured carrier like the Ergo, Patapum or Beco (www.ecobabies.com). I have a Patapum and a Beco LOVE them. I don't have an Ergo but it gets excellent reviews. The thing I love about the ERgo is that it is made with beautiful fabrics. It also has a taller back than the Ergo and the Patapum, which I much prefer. However, any of these 3 carriers are the absolute best option for a toddler. They are 2 shoulder carriers with thick waist bands. They distribute the weight of the baby so well that you should have no back or shoulder pain at all!!!

I love all my other slings (I have many) but I would not suggest a pouch (like a hotsling) for a trip to Disney. It is just not supportive enough for holding a toddler all day long. Same thing with ring slings. Mei tais are actually a good option depending on the weight of the babe but I think the soft structured carrier is a much better bet!

 

[AngieWin]

Absolutely Ergo! DS2 is 22 months and weighs about 32 lbs. I teach a bell choir one night a week for 2 hours and I wear him the whole time. Could not live without that carrier!

I also have a ring sling and pouch that will go with us to Disney in less than 2 weeks!

 

[tinkandpan]

Another vote here for the ergo. It's a great carrier and it really situates the weight of the baby well. The only downside as opposed to something like the hip hammock- is i find it is a little warmer for me to wear in the hot weather, and it doesn't pack as tightly- but it is so worth carrying down thre.

 

[Ariel8676]

You can check out http://thebabywearer.com/ and get loads of info...
I would suggest a 2 shoulder carry..Ergo http://ergobabycarrier.com/ , Beco(have 1) http://ecobabies.com/ ,Patapum or a Mei Tei http://babyhawk.com/ ...love our babyhawks, have 3 .. A pouch like a Hotslings or Peanut shell(have 1) is great for hip carries..but not for long with a bigger baby.
Some companies also sell cariers made with Solarveil or solarweave fabric...VERY light and breathable, and you can get them wet cause they dry quick ( i LOVED my solarweave Mei Tei, it was great to be able to wear it right into the pool with the baby ) http://sachicarriers.com/ has a few
Good Luck...i still wear my baby all the time when we go out..she is 19 months and 28 pounds and if you have the right carrier it is not umcomfortable at all!!!

 

[Girly_Qs]

We LOVE our Beco!!!

Similar to the Ergo, but prettier (I know, so vain!) and taller bodied (personal preference, but I find it more comfy for us!).

We had a Kelty before I 'discovered' Beco, and while nice it's really too bulky for Disney (IMO). I also have several 1-shoulder carriers (pouches, ring slings, etc), and love them - but for longer carries (naps, etc), they don't even come close to the 2-shoulder carry of my Beco!

HTH! Good luck!

 

[stacy6552]

Do not take a back pack. I say stay with the front carrier. OUr Baby Bjorn still held our son at 20 mos. A baby can stay in the front carrier on rides and in shows, but you would have to take off a backpack in these situations.

 

[snugglepeas]

we used a Sutemi carrier for our 10 month old this past April and I just love it you can use it as a back, front or hip carrier. I used it all over disney and never once got a sore back or shoulders.