question on babywearing in WDW

[Madzac]

We have a Maya Wrap. I have gone three times now with a child about your's age (with DD it was just a one day trip to DL, the other two were week long WDW). I used it some. I love my Maya wrap and the kids loved it as well. It is comfortable. I thought I would use it more for waiting in lines, but the kids just wanted to be down at that point... and it got HOT!!!!! I much prefered the stroller which is not what I use most at home.

The one time it did come in handy was night time after a parade or fireworks. We could bring one less stroller and my little one was closer to me to walk out of the parks, and they could fall asleep against me and not worry about taking them in and out of the stroller.

You could bring one, but I would certainly have a stroller too. The nice thing about the wrap is it can fit easily in a diaper bag and be pulled out.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

If your son hasn't been worn much recently he may not want to be, so try putting him in both carriers at home and see if he likes it before you pack them.

I wore DS a ton when he was an infant but stopped once he started walking at 1. We went to Disney when he was 16 months old so I put him in a mei-tai ahead of time to test it out and he was not having it - at all. He was going through an independent stage and literally fought me to get out of it. Oh well. He did fine on thr trip without it.

 

[irene_dsc]

I'd never heard of the lascal m1 before, so I googled it. I would think your ds would be way too heavy for a front-facing-out carrier, so I wouldn't bother even trying the lascal. However, the Ergo should work just fine for waiting in lines. I don't have one, but know lots of people who love theirs and use them with larger toddlers/pre-schoolers. Its hard to say how much you will actually use it, but I think they pack down fairly small. I seem to remember 16 months as being a big up-down-up-down phase, but you may find a time when it is a life-saver. I'd definitely bring the stroller, too, however, especially if you aren't used to babywearing for long periods of time, and also for stashing your gear.

 

[AKADrea]

when? Almost the entire time
Where? Almost everywhere

LOL!

Granted, my DS was only 18 lbs last time we went, but he was on me the ENTIRE time. We had the double stroller, but the 2nd seat usually was used for storage

 

[MariDisney]

Ive looked at that before and was tempted but I really think we would just wear him a little between stroller and lines in ride.

Anyone have experience with wearing a toddler that heavy?

I never wore DD in WDW because she was older when we started going. But, I would wear her for hours everywhere else until she was over 40 lbs. She was easy to get out of her carseat and into the sling right until that age. I had several slings, but the one I liked best when she got older was one made from fleece and rings that a friend made for me. The stretchiness of the fabric was good. I also liked the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. I thought the rail made it feel secure.

 

[marcielm]

Another ring sling baby wearer here!

I bought a double stroller just before the trip, because I knew I'd get hot/tired of slinging the 10 mo old the entire trip. I've always used my single stroller for my older DD, and just put the baby in the sling. This combo worked perfectly for us while we were there. The sling was PRICELESS for standing in line, nursing at times, riding on rides, getting on & off the buses to go to the parks. It made life soooo much easier.

Be aware that it takes time to "park the stroller, get kids out of said stroller & into the sling, walk to line entrance, etc". We found out really quick to park the stroller, do a BUNCH of stuff in one area (2.5 yr old happy to walk), then go back and load the stroller & walk to the next section of the parks.

Here are some pics:

In the double stroller:

Hanging out in line in the sling:

And finally on a ride:

 

[daisylove]

Thanks for all the advice. With his weight the Ergo seems to be what works but I may try a sling before we go. not sure yet. Still trying to figure out if I can get him out of the ergo (on the back) by myself. :0)

 

[Erica09M]

For those of us who babywear on a regular basis, babywearing at WDW isn't going to be an issue... like it would be for someone who only babywears sometimes or never. WDW wouldn't be the place to start, for sure. For our WDW trip, I'll be doing a little bit of both (stroller and babywearing).

I wear my youngest a lot (she's currently 12 months, about 22 pounds), and even wear her when we go to the state park and go hiking. She's usually worn on my back now (Beco Butterfly II), but every so often I carry her on the front and snuggle with her.

I've even worn by 35 pound 4 year old in my carrier on my back.... definitely not on a regular basis, but she wanted me to put her in it, so I did, and it wasn't heavy or uncomfortable.

My little one can see all of her surroundings while I'm wearing her. It doesn't hold her back from experiencing anything. She can see everything I can see.

As for hot temperatures, there are carriers made with all sorts of different fabrics. Many of us don't stop wearing our little ones because it's summer time or warmer weather.

And coming from someone who has rheumatoid arthritis and spondylitis, I've still been able to wear my little one. If your back hurts when you are wearing a child, it's generally because you either have the wrong type of carrier or you're using it wrong. Babywearing is very comfortable.

 

[tanyaandallie]

If you have the Ergo, it would be my first choice. Practice the back carry before you go. A soft structured carrier like the ERgo is going to be the most comfy choice for a heavier kiddo. I love ring slings and they work very well but with an older/heavier child you really need a 2 shoulder carry for anything longer than a quick trip to Target. The Ergo in a back carry is so darn comfy. I could wear my ds for very long time periods in our Beco (similar to the Ergo). His first trip to wdw was when he was 20 mos and he spend at least 70% of his time in the beco. Went again when he was 2+ and he still spent time in the beco. Less time because the weather was very warm and he was older but still plenty of time in it.

 

[msmama]

My guy was 10 months but walking already when we went last Feb. He was also well over 20lbs, lol.

I used my Babyhawk Mai Tai, DH preferred the Moby Wrap. He did much better being worn than in the stroller. There's just SOOO much going on and he wanted to see it all, but he much preferred to see it all while still touching Mommy or Daddy so the stroller was mostly used for lugging our gear around.

 

[Saved by Grace]

Great thread!

I'll be taking my dd in December, she'll be 18 months. She's 21 lbs. now.

I have an Ergo carrier and a Maya Wrap, and I'm torn...

The Ergo is much more comfortable for a heavier baby for long periods of time - but the Maya is so much faster and easier (to me) to get the baby in and out of, and to take off and on.

I also thought that if we were going in Sept. as originally planned, the Ergo would be TOO HOT to wear. I'm thinking December might not be so bad. I love the comfort of the Ergo but hate the bulk.

IDK what we'll do! So I'm planning to take both (plus her stroller) and see how it goes.

 

[phillmolly]

I would go with the Ergo, the other carrier looks a lot like a babybjorn, and I think that would get to uncomfertable. I have a beco butterfly, which is a lot like an Ergo and I love it. I wear my little guy it all the time, right now I wear him on the front because I like the cuddling but I am strating to put him on my back more. I also have a MeiTai but I wouldn't want to take that to disney because of the long staps. I am also getting a ring sling for my bday (two weeks away, yea for me!!) for quick in and outs. I love wearing my baby and plan on doing it for a least a few more years.