Need suggestions for a carrier or backpack for 18 month old

[steph73]

We're thinking about getting a carrier to help with toting around our toddler, who will have just turned 18 months old before our trip. He's about 24lbs now, and I think we'd mostly use the carrier for standing in line, but occasionally other times as well. My DH will mostly wear him, as he might be a bit heavy for me to wear him now for any length of time.

I wore him all the time in a Hotsling when he was an infant, and while it can be adjusted to hip carry him now, it's hard for me. We're interested in something a little sturdier now. A front carrier would do, but a back carrier would be nice, too. Maybe even one that can be both.

I'd prefer something that was more lightweight, due to the heat. I'd like to keep the price down, as I know these can be really expensive, but I think we'd be more willing to shell out big bucks if it had a high weight limit, so we could use it for a long time.

Suggestions?

 

[MommaB]

I LOVE my Ergo and completely swear by it. It was perfect for WDW and my 28 pound toddler. But a close second are our Beco and AngelPack. Check your local craigslist or Ebay for reduced prices.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ergo.

 

[Sazuburns]

I would go for a soft structured carrier. Other people have suggested the Ergo and I've heard good things about them, but also consider something like the Connecta. It is like a mei tai (Asian-style) carrier in design but instead of having incredibly long straps which have to be tied, it buckles at the waist and sides. It can go on the front or the back, and they do a version in solarweave which is a UV protective fabric which is very lightweight and dries incredibly fast.

I have a solarweave one for my daughter (she is 15 months and weighs around 21lbs) and it's not only quick and easy to put on and off but it's also really easy to stuff into a bag when you aren't using it.

 

[msmama]

The ERGO has a stated weight limit of 40lbs, but really the weight limit is as much as you can carry.

I just bought one for my 35 lb 2 year old, lol.

 

[Cortney]

Definitely the Ergo. My littlest one will be 18 months when we go in Jan 2011 and I will be packing my ergo.

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

I've heard the Connecta is nice. I love the pretty choices as I used to use a MeiTei and miss the fun.
I have a Patapum Toddler. It has higher support for a taller toddler (therefore better weight distribution for you) Mine is a medium-dark khaki, not too hot in the sun. The sleeping hood is light mesh and great. A little cheaper than the Ergo, too.
SSC are a bit bulky (I'm taking the sling this year, actually, partly b/c of that) I carried it home as my personal item (and used it a bit in the airport) b/c it took up valuable luggage space. In parks, I hung it on the back of the stroller when not in use.

 

[zus888]

I would suggest a sturdy mei tai with padded straps (can do a front or back carry). I have a Babyhawk and like it a lot. It is a bit on the heavier side, so I'm not sure how that would work if you will be in high heat. I've heard great things about the Ergo, but don't have one myself. They are quite expensive. If you want a carrier and are looking for cheaper ones, try visiting the FSOT (For Sale or Trade) board on thebabywearer.com That's where I got all my carriers. Much cheaper than brand new, and those gals usually take great care of their carriers.

Good luck!

Suzanna

 

[Dawson's Mom]

We used a hip carrier made by playtex, it was great! Easy on and off and very easy to get our son into. It was also nice for the rides, DS just kind of sat on leg and could still see on the rides. Another plus for us was that is was pretty inexpensive, and for some reason, not sure why he always seemed to nod off in it. The other suggestions also sound good too, good luck!

 

[MandM-Mom]

I would suggest a sturdy mei tai with padded straps (can do a front or back carry). I have a Babyhawk and like it a lot. It is a bit on the heavier side, so I'm not sure how that would work if you will be in high heat. I've heard great things about the Ergo, but don't have one myself. They are quite expensive. If you want a carrier and are looking for cheaper ones, try visiting the FSOT (For Sale or Trade) board on thebabywearer.com That's where I got all my carriers. Much cheaper than brand new, and those gals usually take great care of their carriers.

Good luck!

Suzanna

I really like the looks of the toddlerhawk for the bigger kids too, I am getting ready to purchase one for my almost 4 year old but she is super tiny!

 

[strmtroopr96]

We love our Ergo as well! Dd will turn 4 next month but we still use it for back carries. She is about 40+ inches and 33 pounds.

 

[Ariel8676]

Have you ever considered getting a good sturdy ring sling? For standing in lines and taking him in and out they are great http://www.sleepingbaby.net/index.php these are my favorite and you can contact Jan and ask her any questions, she is awesome to work with and her slings are very comfy and because its a ring sling they are totally adjustable.
My other suggestion would be a Toddlerhawk by babyhawk http://babyhawk.com/ or a Kanga x or kanga xt( these can be pricey but the most comfy SSC's i've tried) http://www.bloo-kangaroo.com/
i would also suggest http://thebabywearer.com/ great site and there is a FSOT forum where you may be able to find some great gently used carriers for much cheaper than buying new. Good luck

 

[soonerfan2008]

I wouldn't use a sling with a child that big since it does not distribute the weight evenly. But, I love my Beco. I've used it to carry my 3 year old on my back. I can carry her for a couple hours, and I am petite at 95 lbs, while she weighs 30.

 

[hippiemama76]

I can still carry my 39 pound almost 5 year old in a back carry in an Ergo. We love ours! If your babe is over 20 pounds, you are going to want to do a back carry. I can kind of swing HippieBabe to the front to nurse and then swing her back to the back when she's done.

 

[Legendofthehawk]

ToddlerHawk.


And I'll tell you why.

The Ergo is a good carrier. But it has some structer to it. You do need to adjust straps/buckles for each person that wears it. With a mei tei or a TH in this case, there is no adjustment to the carrier if you need to switch parents. You just tie the straps tighter and that's it.

Also, you can carry your baby/toddler high in a toddler hawk so that they can see over your shoulder if you want. Which is good for Animal Kindgdom, or other things that you want them to get the experience of seeing eye level without the crowds.

I am also a big fan of the toddlers head rest, so that when they fall asleep their necks are completely supported. In the ergo, you have the sun shade which can be used as well. But the downside is, you have to have someone put it up for you.. and the baby can get kind of fussy if they wake up and their head is somewhat restricted.

As well for the price of an Ergo, you can have a custom made toddler hawk. Complete with loop holes for toys to attach (which can be priceless as disney), pockets, minking linings..etc.


Thats our vote.

 

[hippiemama76]

I used to love soft carriers, but as the girls have gotten bigger, the Ergo has been so much easier for us. HippieBabe, starting at 18 months, wanted to get down and walk a lot. With the Ergo it's just a snap or two to get in and out, which was a lot faster/easier for us than the wrap or a mei tai.

For our main carriers, we did:

- ring sling for quick trips (running into the grocery store) - stopped using at 20 months when she could wiggle out

- wrap for long trips (anything longer than running into the store - I love wraps!) - stopped using at 18 months, because the in-and-out was too involved

-Ergo. I wouldn't use it for a baby baby, but now that the girls are 21 months and almost 5, it's nice to have one carrier that can work for both of them, and is super fast (adjusting the straps are really as easy as putting on a seat belt). My added bonus is that since I'm usually in yoga pants, it has an open pocket and a zippered pocket to hold my phone and wallet

 

[steph73]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I've been looking at an Ergo for awhile now. It seems great, but I think my main concern about it is that it seems like it would be hot, for both the baby and the wearer while trouncing around WDW in late May/early June. Still, it's on my short list. For Ergo wearers - was heat a concern? My little guy is a sweat box.

I'm also very interested in the Connecta Solarweave, but I can't find them for sale in the US?

I've been looking at the babywearer trade board as well, and it's a bit confusing for me. I think in the end, I'd prefer to buy one new. Especially since I'm on a bit of a time crunch now.

 

[lilpooh108]

I vote Ergo....I wore DD trekking (ok we drove there, and trekked after hahah ) through the Mexican jungle to see Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. It was pretty hot, but the Ergo did well. The material around the waist can get hot b/c it is very padded. I think that they recently came out with a "sport" version of some kind. I liked it so much I bought two (the second was on clearance from a baby gear liquidator). I really would recommend these to anyone.

Just in case you have waist size concerns for your husband, the Ergo comes with "extenders" if he needs them. My DH wears pant size 35" waist and it didn't look tight on him, but he could have used more room. (He never carried her anyway). The only problem I can see is depending on your husband's waist size, your toddler would have to sit straddled, which may be a little uncomfortable (which is why I always wear my DD.)

Oh, and most of the Ergos come with a sleeping hood. I found this useful not so much for sleeping, but for shade when we walked around and it was really sunny.

HTH.

 

[steph73]

Thanks! We're seriously leaning toward an Ergo. DH is 6' tall and wears a 34" to 36". Do you think he will need extenders?

 

[lilpooh108]

Thanks! We're seriously leaning toward an Ergo. DH is 6' tall and wears a 34" to 36". Do you think he will need extenders?

I think you may want to get one just in case. The Ergo was snug (not tight) on DH when he tried it on, and I could see how he might need more room depending on his comfort level as the day wore on. I find myself adjusting and readjusting depending on how tired I was or how tired DD was. The more tired she was, the lower she would sit and so I would tighten the straps to be safe.