Choosing the Right Toddler Carrier

[Ariel8676]

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.

True, but even though you may still be able to get your child in a Bjorn at 20 months, how comfortable is it really for you and the baby? I can wear my kids on the front, back, or hip in any of the carriers i listed earlier..for hours at a time. Any of the carriers i listed are much more comfortable for the baby because it creates more of a seat as opposed to kind of hanging from the crotch...just something to think about..
Also most of the carriers i listed can be used up to about 40-45 pounds...i can still carry my 5 and 4 yo dd's in mine..lol ( not that it happens too often though..lol)

 

[tanyaandallie]

You actually don't have to take the baby off your back to ride a ride, although I prefered doing it. With a soft structured carrier or a mei tai you can just take off the straps and pull baby around to the front!

 

[toesmom]

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.

ergo carrier is just as comfortable for front or back carry.

 

[iu97alum]

LOVE my bECO! A little more stylish than an ergo. And if you're going in the summertime a Sachi Solarveil is HEAVEN (it was wonderful for us in teh Carribean when DD was 18mo old and I was chasing after a 3yo!). . Though a solarweave connecta would be fabulas! Have her check out TBW (the baby wearer). IT's WONDERFUL! And, there's also a swapping Yahoo group for selling/buying carriers. (used of course). Please make sure she tries it out BEFORE you go to get used ot it. Like any thing, wearing a child on your back uses different muscles you're not used to so a trip would not be the first time using it.

gl!
dana j

 

[strmtroopr96]

My problem is that I just can't decide between a Mei tai or an Ergo? Ther is so many opinions and so much info out there that it just confuses me more. LOL Someone just tell me which one to go with?

My DD just turned 1 last Thursday and is about 20 pounds. Will she be better off in one or the other? We will use it at Disney as well as when I walk olderst DD to and from school. Coming home is all uphill so I want something comfy and sturdy and something that will last us for quite some time. Thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[Ariel8676]

Well it really depends on what style of carrier you like best....
The Mei Tei's (im partial to Babyhawks) are SO pretty and you can get a reversable, so its like having 2..they are good for up to 40 ish pounds (i can still carry my 5 and 4 yo dd's..lol) But you do have to tie the straps..doesn't bother me, but some dont want to deal with that.
The Ergo is good..not sure of the weight, but im sure it is about the same, they have a lot of new colors that i have seen too..blue, green pink..lol
. The Beco is about 40-45 pounds and you can get beautiful fabrics. Ergo and Beco have buckles instead of tying...it really depends on what YOU like.
Do you have any stores by you that sell carriers???
Check out Thebabywearer.com ,there you can find a ton of info and maybe a few Mommas around you that you can try different carriers, or find a shop nearby. PM me if you want

 

[iu97alum]

My problem is that I just can't decide between a Mei tai or an Ergo? Ther is so many opinions and so much info out there that it just confuses me more. LOL Someone just tell me which one to go with?

My DD just turned 1 last Thursday and is about 20 pounds. Will she be better off in one or the other? We will use it at Disney as well as when I walk olderst DD to and from school. Coming home is all uphill so I want something comfy and sturdy and something that will last us for quite some time. Thoughts? Thanks!!

Well, I LOVE Mei Tais, but the wraping/tying can be a PITA if you're not used to it. Babyhawk and Sachi make some GREAT Mei Tais. Once my DD hit 20 lbs, I really needed a SSC (Soft Structured Carrier) like an Ergo, Beco, APLX, yamo, connecta, etc. (I know, too many to name). Do you have a NINO group near you? That is seriously the best way to try these carriers out. You need to figure out your body type (short/tall, skinny/fluffy, Long torso, short/torso) and try carriers out based on that. I am 5'1 petite and found the APLX didn't work on me but the bECO was heaven. I haven't tried an ergo yet though. You can check out thebabywearer.com and go to http://www.thebabywearer.com/lists/WhatTo.htm which helps list types of carriers. You can go to the discussion forum as well http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=113 and there are lots of discussions (and pictures!) of the different carriers.

HTH! You can PM if you need more info orhelp.
dana

 

[Girly_Qs]

Another vote for checking out a local NINO (Nine In Nine Out) group - it's a great way to gather info and check out all sorts of carriers without committing to a purchase!

Personally, I prefer a SSC. That's because they are as comfy for me, without the fussiness of tying straps. I adjust mine once, and then just slip it on and off. That said the 'fussiness' of tying means a bit more versatility for fit. I like that my Beco is FAST (no adjustments necessary), and can be rolled up and worn like a 'fanny pack' (now there's a cool image, eh?!) when not in use. It IS useable for front carries as well, though honestly once they get to a certain weight (differs for each person) it's hands-down comfier to carry them (for any length of time) in a back carry - plus my dd can see *everything* looking over my shoulder.

HTH a bit!

 

[tanyaandallie]

My problem is that I just can't decide between a Mei tai or an Ergo? Ther is so many opinions and so much info out there that it just confuses me more. LOL Someone just tell me which one to go with?

My DD just turned 1 last Thursday and is about 20 pounds. Will she be better off in one or the other? We will use it at Disney as well as when I walk olderst DD to and from school. Coming home is all uphill so I want something comfy and sturdy and something that will last us for quite some time. Thoughts? Thanks!!

I think it also depends on what you plan on doing with the carrier. If you want to back carry, go for the Ergo, patapum or Beco. If you think you will mostly front carry, I prefer the mt over the soft structured carrier. That said, with a one year old child, I'd go for the soft structured carrier and learn to back carry. It's awesome. SOOOOOOO comfy. I love my babyhawk mei tai but for serious carrying you just cannot beat the comfort of the soft structured carrier. Plus, when in the parks the straps can be a pain. The awesome thing about the beco is that if you take your baby out, you can actually roll the carrier up and velcro it in place and keep it snapped on your waist. So, if you have baby in it while in line and then take her out, you don't have to take the carrier all the way off when you get on the ride. And you don't have to deal with the straps dragging the ground.

I really do love mt, but for a 1 year old, I'd get a Beco. I LOVE ours.

 

[bellarella]

My problem is that I just can't decide between a Mei tai or an Ergo? Ther is so many opinions and so much info out there that it just confuses me more. LOL Someone just tell me which one to go with?

My DD just turned 1 last Thursday and is about 20 pounds. Will she be better off in one or the other? We will use it at Disney as well as when I walk olderst DD to and from school. Coming home is all uphill so I want something comfy and sturdy and something that will last us for quite some time. Thoughts? Thanks!!

For Disney I would say either a Ergo or Beco over a Mei Tai. I had a BabyHawk Mei Tai that I *loved*. But for Disney it was so much nicer to have a Beco. And honestly, though I bought the Beco just for Disney, once I started using it, I stopped using the BabyHawk. Not dealing with the ties (though I was fast and good at them) just tipped me in the direction of reaching for the Beco over my Mei Tai.

Part of the draw of the Mei Tai, I think, is the cool fabrics that you can choose. The Ergo is much more "backpack" looking (which can be great if you are going for neutral or you are trying to coax a reluctant DH into using it). But if you want the fun fabrics, check out the Beco. You can get gently used ones at www.thebabywearer.com too.

 

[Tikicampers]

I really think you should find someone in your area that has the different products to try on. I wanted a sling, and thought the Maya one would be best. I just got back from trying them on, and I wound up with a karmababy (DD is sound alseep in it right now ). It all depends on your body. The person I bought from also had the ergo carrier, and it looked really nice. I may get one of those in a couple of months.

 

[Manda]

On the main forum page, the snippet for the subject of this post said 'Choosing the Right Toddler...'

 

[strmtroopr96]

LOL Thanks for all the replies! I just saw these now, after I actually ordered an Ergo earlier today. I had heard to check into any Seconds that were for sale and they had quite a few available. I ended up choosing one in Cranberry with the Critter print. It is brand new and all but the color is supposedly "off" according to the head Ergo person. LOL Because of that though, it was reduced to $73.

If anyone else is interested, here is what else they had at reduced prices:

Camel w/ Critter print...has been restitched in one area...$65

Camel...also had some restitching...$65

Black...not sure the reason right now (my DH was the one on the phone ordering)...$73

Cranberry...faded...$55 (I wasn't sure what exactly they meant by faded so I didn't go for this one but could be a really great deal for someone)

Now I was thinking that the main difference between a Mei Tai and a Beco was the actual fabric/look? But does the Beco wear differently? With the Mei Tai, you have to ties the straps but how does a Beco fasten? I'm confused now! LOL

 

[Girly_Qs]

Now I was thinking that the main difference between a Mei Tai and a Beco was the actual fabric/look? But does the Beco wear differently? With the Mei Tai, you have to ties the straps but how does a Beco fasten? I'm confused now! LOL

The Beco fastens with buckles, very similarly to the Ergo (they are both SSCs - soft structured carriers). It also has a thick padded waistband, like the Ergo (whereas most MT's do not).

IMO, the Beco 'feels' a bit more MT-like than the Ergo (thanks to its' taller body) and is 'prettier' because of all the fabric options.

That said, I definitely don't think the Ergo was a 'bad' choice by any means - just that personally, I prefer the Beco. Different strokes . . .!

 

[strmtroopr96]

The Beco fastens with buckles, very similarly to the Ergo (they are both SSCs - soft structured carriers). It also has a thick padded waistband, like the Ergo (whereas most MT's do not).

IMO, the Beco 'feels' a bit more MT-like than the Ergo (thanks to its' taller body) and is 'prettier' because of all the fabric options.

That said, I definitely don't think the Ergo was a 'bad' choice by any means - just that personally, I prefer the Beco. Different strokes . . .!

.....There is no where around here to even see or try any of these so I just had everyone else's opinions and thoughts to go on. I didn't realize that the Beco's didn't tie. Hmmm...I'll have to check into those a little more. Wonder if they have seconds for less $$? LOL They really do have some pretty ones. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Ariel8676]

If you look at thebabywearer.com there is a FSOT (for sale or trade) forum..you can find great finds there(new or very gently used) or in the vendors section there are a bunch of different online stores that carry Becos's..some will give a discount or free shipping..
Anyway good luck with the Ergo!!!

 

[design_mom]

I think you're going to love your Ergo. I used (still use) one with my daughter who is 3 years old and 30 lbs. Last winter, we spent two days at WDW and I didn't even take our stroller into the parks. The Ergo was just so much more convenient. (You can see a pic in my little avatar photo).

Enjoy!

Edited to add: The one thing I was disapponted by with the Ergo was that the "sleep hood" is way too small to use with a toddler -- but I found that it doesn't really matter, she can just lean against my back and fall asleep in the Ergo. I suspect that she wouldn't have really liked the sleep hood anyway.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I think you will love the Ergo. The Beco is basically the same type carrier as the Ergo except it is made with pretty fabric and has a taller body.

 

[toesmom]

you will love the ergo... I use it alot with my 42 lb 3-1/2 year old... don't have any back pain, and can use it for a long time.

They actually can carry 60 lbs, not that you ever would, but it tells you the strength, and I do prefer buckles over tying things.

I should also add that the baby trekker is an amazing carrier as well, just not that great for a very heavy toddler in backpack position (I mean over 40 lbs). We used ours until he was close to 38 lbs and then upgraded to the ergo for back carry purpose. Here is the link www.babytrekker.com I also heard Oprah viewers voted it most comfortable baby carrier - trekker and ergo get my votes.

 

[iu97alum]

On the main forum page, the snippet for the subject of this post said 'Choosing the Right Toddler...'

ROTFLMAO! I hadn't even put that together until I saw your post!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA