PLEASE Recommend a good infant carrier

[MamaKate]

I will be taking an almost 3 month old to WDW next March and I need recommendations for a good infant carrier.

I would like one that doesn't put a lot of pressure on the back and is EASY to put on and take off .

Since it's been MANY years since I've had an infant (12 years ). I don't know what kind to get. I don't want to buy one and then it ends up hurting my back or takes a rocket scientist to put on.

Please offer me some suggestions .

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

We love our Ergo!! We have a Bjorn active that was also great for when DD was that small (both are very easy to use), but she outgrew that by 7 months and we still wanted a carrier then so we got an Ergo (which can be used for a much longer period of time). I think by 3 months, you wouldn't need the infant insert, but I'm not certain on that so you might want to checkc. They're pricey, but have really good resale value. We also have a sling which is nice for short periods, but I don't like long-time use of only one shoulder, and we have a wrap (like a Moby wrap), but they take a lot longer to get ready. I also love that the Ergo is pretty easy to adjust, so DH and I could switch off wearing it, and it goes on your back or front or side, so it has lots of uses. I'm really looking forward to using it with this coming baby!!

 

[gvanlare]

I'll have to check the car to see exactly what ours is but my BIGGEST suggestion is to with an infant is to use backpack as your diaper bag. The weight will balance out the baby and significantly reduce the fatigue on your back. Make sure you take sometime in the weeks leading up to your trip to "train" your body to the extra weight and walking. Our daughter is almost 18 months and still loves our carrier.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I second the ErgoBaby. We have one for our kids and even still use it as a backpack for the older one. (She's just now breaking 30 lbs at age 3.5....)

We got if for use at WDW last year and it was phenomenal. Tempted to get another for our upcoming trip.

I also loved my New Native sling (when the girls were little) and my Rockin Baby Pouch (I don't do D-ring slings easily - they don't like me. My hubby preferred their Rockin Baby sling with the D-rings. The Rockin Baby ones (made in their shop in Eagle Rock, CA) are double sided, so you can get a print you both can live with and flip it, and are adjustable - even the pouch style. That's what I liked about it. You could do 4 different size adjustments with the 2 set of zippers that were placed in the shoulder area.

I really dislike the Bjorns and how they are suspended by their groins - not good for the pelvis. That's why Ergo would be the better choice. It's designed to support in a seated position and it distributes the weight more evenly throughout your waist and hips.

At age 3 months - my personal preference would be the sling over a carrier. You can keep them in the sling on many of the rides and shows, especially the slow-movers or ones like Pirates that don't require seatbelts.

 

[tinytreasures]

I love my beco butterfly it has a newborn seat and is so comfy
I found the ergo very short for a toddler and felt like she was was going to tip out of it
Congrats on the new one

 

[tr-ray]

Bumping for more suggestions.

I am going to be taking my DD in February (she'll be just over 4 months then).

However, I am a plus sized mom, so I was wondering how that would affect certain carriers/slings.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

However, I am a plus sized mom, so I was wondering how that would affect certain carriers/slings.

I'm a size 6 that went up to a 20 during pregnancy with #2. I had no problem with slings and pouches - the key is to get one that is made for your body size. That's why I liked the Rockin Baby and the New Native. Fixed size made it easy to put on - no D rings to tighten.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Love my Beco!

 

[Ariel8676]

I would recommend checking out http://thebabywearer.com/ you will find a TON of info there about any kind of carrier for and type of body!!
At 3-4 months i was still using my peanut shell sling, and my ring slings..so easy to do a hip carry at that age and easy to get on and off..my favorite ring sling was http://www.sleepingbaby.net/index.php..Jan is awesome to work with and the shoulder is SOO comfy. I was also using my Babyhawk Mei Tei http://www.babyhawk.com/. They are great because they tie, so its not a one size fits all carrier..i never had a problem with tying and i loved that i could get my baby on my back myself.
The last carrier i got was my favorite it was a Kanga X http://hyenacart.com/blookangaroo/index.php?c=30&p=58447..they are so comfy..even more so than the ergo or the Beco..and again great customer service..but i used this when the girls were bigger..although i believe she makes a baby size one now. (yes i had a tone of carriers..lol very easy to get addicted..lol)
Now..you can also check the FSOT (for sale or trade) section at the babywearer website..you can always find good deals on gently used carriers, that way you could try a few and see what works best..then you can also sell them when you are done.

 

[gweeptrish]

I will be taking an almost 3 month old to WDW next March and I need recommendations for a good infant carrier.
I would like one that doesn't put a lot of pressure on the back and is EASY to put on and take off .

When I took my daughter at 4 months, the only carrier we ended up using was our Solarveil ring sling. If that doesn't do it for you, then I'd get an Ergo. I love my Ergo, but I didn't buy it until my daughter was nearly 17 months so I have no idea how I'd like it with a tiny one.

 

[tanyaandallie]

At 3 mos I would probably go with a mei tai for wdw. I love a ring sling for a small baby but if you are doing some long term carrying, I would want a 2 shoulder carrier that will distribut the weight well.

The Ergo and Beco are both soft structured carriers. I LOVE our Beco but imo it is at it's best when used on your back. As a back carrier it simply cannot be beat. You can throw a 3 year old on your back and carry them comfortably for longer periods of time. It does work with a front carry but imo it's just not all that comfy as a front carrier. The big thick padded waist band just is not comfy to me on the front.

A mei tai is very similar to a soft structure carrier. IMO the mei tai is the very best 2 shouldered carrier if you plan on carrying your baby in a front carry. It's super easy to use, very very comfy. Check out www.babyhawk.com. We LOVE our babyhawk. There are tons of other mei tais out there but that's the one I loved best when my ds was an infant. It's a totally awesome carrier. The mei tai can also be used on your back and side as well.

If I were taking a 4 mos old, I'd take a mei tai. I took my ds to DL when he was 7 mos and carried him in a mei tai (babyhawk and kozy) the entire time. Super comfy!

 

[star sweeper]

I carried both of my children in Peanut Shell microfleece slings when I lived in Guatemala with them. They were very comfortable for me and the babies, who would often fall asleep. I could put the sling on and off, and place baby in it, without assistance. thepeanutshell.com

 

[tonilea]

I loved my Hot Sling from www.hotslings.com I got one with a little stretch in it. BTW, I am a plus sized mom too.

 

[Miss LD]

I LOVED my Bjorn. I still love it. (DD is 7 mos)
I had a sling and hated it. Some people sware by them.
I'd suggest going and trying them. From what I've discovered, everyone's body is different when it comes to them. I injured my tailbone when DS (now 4) was born and a bunch of the carriers really increased the pain. The Bjorn didn't.
FWIW when we went to WDW DD was just over 3 months. I used both the Bjorn and the stroller.
We went for a lot of long walks prior to leaving so we could get DS used to the distances, and it also coincided with the baby's fussy time of the night. I used the Bjorn constantly. I was so used to it and my body was so used to it that I had no problems.
I also got really used to getting it on and off quickly.