hip carrier for toddler?

[traej73]

Hi. Have any of you used a carrier with your toddler? I have a 15 month old who will be almost 18 months when we go to wdw. She will be fine in the stroller but is quite the explorer and escape artist when she is out. I am fearful of waiting in line and having her run off. She is too heavy to hold and she squirms to get down. I used a hotsling last year and loved it. She is too big for it now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Trae

 

[magicmato]

I have one of those hip carriers and I love it! I had been using a regular sling with my 16 month old, but in the heat of summer (has been getting over 90 most days for weeks now!), it is just too hot for both of us due to all of the extra fabric. I got one of the hip carriers and it works even better than the sling. It is supportive and, if you take the time to adjust it before you use it, it is very comfortable and seems to not give me the neck/shoulder aches I got with the sling if I used it a lot.

The best part is that it allows both of us to breathe, lol. There is so much less fabric so it is MUCH cooler.

Margaret

 

[Colinsmom]

I find a front carrier like the Kozy www.kozycarrier.com much more comfy with a heavier toddler. I carried DS for well over an hour in the Kozy when he was about 32lbs. I've tried the Hip Hammock and Walking Rock Farm hip carrier, and they were both PAINFUL when he wasn't even 20lbs.

 

[Kermit]

I used to think that the Kozy was the world's best carrier until I tried the Sutemi. I can carry my 25 pound 10-month-old in it for 6 hours and not feel a thing. The shoulders are heavily padded, so it never digs in at all.

 

[tmfranlk]

I loved mine! I used it all over WDW when DD was 15mo (27lbs). When we moved to Boston when she was 20mo (27-30lbs.) we quit driving anywhere and relied on trains/buses. About that time she started refusing to ride in the stroller. I would carry her around the city for 4-5 hours at a time with very little problem. I would be tired at the end of the day, but not sore. I would certainly recommend it!

 

[traej73]

Margaret & Tia, thanks for the info. What is the name of the carrier and where did you find it? Thanks, Traci

 

[magicmato]

Mine is a Playtex Hip Hammock. I got it at Walmart for around $40, I think. I figured I would try it and see if it would work for me. I am very petite, 5'2.5" with a large chest, so not every carrier works with my shape. This seems to work for me, but I would suggest trying it and if it does not work, return it!

One suggestion, make sure that you snug the waist band as tight as is comfortable. This seemed to increase DD's stability and relieve some of the pressure on the neck strap.

 

[akrake]

Mine is a Playtex Hip Hammock. I got it at Walmart for around $40, I think.

I thought this was recalled?
amie

 

[magicmato]

It was??? I never heard that! (Going to check the recall lists!)

Ok, I checked and my model number was not among those that were recalled. *whew*

As much as recalls suck, just because there was an issue with one version, does not make all versions bad. After all, I doubt there is a company that has never had something recalled for one reason or another.

Heck, Disney has recalled things, lol.

*whew* My heart stopped there for a moment!

 

[amarberry]

I just bought a hip carrier for my daughter last weekend. I tried out the Hip Hammock (which just recently came back on the market after the recall) at our local Babies r Us. I liked it, but I ended up talking with another mom there who suggested the Combi Urban Baby Carrier. It's similar to the Hip Hammock, but with a little more shoulder padding. It also folds up into a pack and has a little rain cover for the baby. I ordered it from babyuniverse.com (http://www.babyuniverse.com/pro.asp?store=baby&lang=&id=83515&catid=131). It was $39.99 and free shipping.

I've only had my carrier for a couple of days, but I like it. My daughter feels very secure in it. When she was smaller, I really liked having her in the Baby Bjorn. I also bought a sling (Over the Shoulder Baby Holder) and hated it. I always was afraid that she would fall out.

Good luck!

 

[NoWorriesMate]

try www.hippychickltd.co.uk.

hippychicks are a wide belt (protects your back) with a very light weight seat. it is brilliant. i carried my two year old on it regually until i was too pregnant to confortably use it.

it is from the UK but they do send out worldwide.

 

[tmfranlk]

Margaret & Tia, thanks for the info. What is the name of the carrier and where did you find it? Thanks, Traci

I have the original Hip Hammock that I got a year or two before Playtex bought the design from the original maker. I think that it is better in a lot of ways than the Playtex version, but I still like what I have seen with the Playtex. DD is now 29mo and 31lbs and the only reason I don't use it very often is her desire for independence and partially her length as she has a very long upper body.

 

[dismom9761]

I used something like the hip hammock on our trip to WDW.It was from Leaps and Bounds.My daughter was 13 mths old and about 22lbs.I couldn't have carried her all day but it was graet for some of the lines and in Fantasyland where you aren't supposed to take strollers.

 

[tigger12jb]

does anyone know the weight restrictions on the combi carrier?

 

[Jen D]

My babe is 16 months old and 25-26 pounds and I still use the Maya Pouch (www.mayawrap.com, click on pouch.) We've been using it since he was six months old. I could have never believed I'd still be using it but honestly, I expect to be able to use it for many more months. It is very comfortable and very lightweight without an ounce of extra fabric. And the patterns are beautiful.

Now is it comfortable for long walks (like a mile or more)? No, but as our kids get bigger I'm not sure anything would be. I use it all the time on public transportation to avoid the stroller, or when going into crowds (shopping, fireworks)-- a Godsend! It was great at WDW to use it when in lines or for short hauls.

It takes a little getting used to but I guess all carriers do.

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

I have a hip carrier from One Step Ahead that I've used since my DS outgrew the Baby Bjorn.

Unfortunately, I can't recall what it is called and when I went to their website, I wasn't able to find it.

Sorry - I know that's not much help, but if someone else knows the name of the carrier, I would highly recommend it.

Good luck,

Mrs. PB

 

[amarberry]

The weight restriction on the Combi carrier is 15-35 pounds.

 

[baiqi]

Hi everyone.

The One Step Ahead/Right Start hip carrier is called the MAWS EZ Pack Baby Carrier. I've had the same one for all three of my kids and I really like it. It is SUPER small when not in use -- I just toss it in my diaper bag or stroller. I carried my 2.5 year old in it on our last Disney trip with no problem. And, as a bonus, it's only about $25!

I also have a second one called a HipPanda. This one is very similar to the MAWS but can be used for tiny babies (the MAWS is for sitting babies and older) and it's bulkier -- no tossing it in the diaper bag. The HipPanda comes in tons of fun and funky patterns.

Good luck.

 

[molly2004]

I thought this was recalled?
amie

I was. You just need to check with the store you bought it from. I got mine replace with a brand new one.

 

[Rowlf]

I took an Ergo baby carrier last year to put our (then) 15 month old in for lines. It worked well - and the weight limit goes up to something crazy like 60 pounds, which is good since he's now 34 pounds at 2.