should I bring my baby bjorn

[emmababy]

ok, I called around to the local ouac and they have an ifantino, and jeep 2 in 1. Would either of those work better than a bjorn?

 

[El&Asmom]

If you're shopping around, hit thebabywearer.com. You can find a good used condition mei tai for $30-50. I wore dd in a Babyhawk at 9m at Disney in the Sept heat without any problems. My back never hurt the whole week we were there, and she spent most of her time worn over being in the stroller. It worked out so nicely to not have to have her in and out of the stroller all of the time.
I only had a baby bjorn with my first dd, and I don't think I used it much after she was a few months old. Just not comfy enough. And as pp have mentioned it's not very good for their spinal development either. I'm sure short periods of time are fine, but for longer periods, I wouldn't use it.

 

[emmababy]

If you're shopping around, hit thebabywearer.com. You can find a good used condition mei tai for $30-50. I wore dd in a Babyhawk at 9m at Disney in the Sept heat without any problems. My back never hurt the whole week we were there, and she spent most of her time worn over being in the stroller. It worked out so nicely to not have to have her in and out of the stroller all of the time.
I only had a baby bjorn with my first dd, and I don't think I used it much after she was a few months old. Just not comfy enough. And as pp have mentioned it's not very good for their spinal development either. I'm sure short periods of time are fine, but for longer periods, I wouldn't use it.

With the mei-tei, was your baby able to face outward?

 

[El&Asmom]

With the mei-tei, was your baby able to face outward?

There are a couple of brands that allow outward facing. The one that comes to mind is Mei Tai Baby. It has a cinching feature that allows the bottom of the carrier to be more narrow. I would check out the baby wearer. There are forums that are dedicated to asking questions about specific carriers. I have to get out of the house now, but can check for you later.
I never used a Mei Tai with my baby facing out. Especially at Disney, there is so much stimulus, that mine always prefered to be able to "get away from it all" by leaning on mama. When they are facing out they can't do that.

Good luck finding something that works.

 

[Cinderellabride]

I haven't read all the replies yet, so sorry if I am repeating. I would def bring it, and the double stroller. We went when my son was 5 months old. Not as big as yours but I doubt he'll be walking yet at 7 months and you cannot bring the stroller into the ride lines, so you'll have to hold him anyways. It's just easier to have a carrier than to hold him (at least for us). We had the stroller, my moby wrap, and my dh's structured carrier (I forget which one it, but he traded the bjiorn for it because we didn't like it). We made sufficient use of all three. It does take a toll on the back, but so does carrying, and he is probably not going to want to be in the stroller all day every day, plus the places you can't bring a stroller like ride lines. It also makes it easier to get on and off of rides to have him in the carrier rather than holding him. Like a pp said it's better to have it and not use it than to want to use it and not have it.

 

[brandylouwho]

We used a bjorn with our 4 month old at WDW and I sold that thing right afterward. A carrier was great to have, the bjorn was awful on our backs for long periods of time. I liked it when she was a newborn, but after Disney I couldn't bring myself to wear it ever again.

That being said I have used my sling even with a 3 yr old (on my hip at that point) and it worked far better/was more comfy.

You are right to think that you'll want some sort of carrier for standing in line, walking through attractions where a stroller is not allowed. Do you still use the bjorn at home a lot? If not, give it a trial run this week...wear him shopping, etc and see if you think it is comfy or not.

If not, then it is time to go shopping. Try to find a store that has lots of options & lets you try on the wraps/slings/carriers. Most of our big box stores around here didn't have much of a selection, but a little "babywearing, cloth diapering, save the earth" type boutique in our town did & the saleswomen were super helpful.

 

[erinbee]

At the risk of sounding completely "granola" most baby wearing supporters and companies intentionally design carriers that do not promote baby facing outward because it prohibits turning away from stimuli that may overwhelm them. Plus, it is not the most ergonomic of positions.

That being said - I would take both a carrier (NOT a BB) and a double stroller. I think the carrier is especially handy while in lines. We have a Baby Hawk Mei Tai that we still occasionally use with our 2 year old in the back carry... I'm debating taking it to use for that purpose.

 

[Cinderellabride]

At the risk of sounding completely "granola" most baby wearing supporters and companies intentionally design carriers that do not promote baby facing outward because it prohibits turning away from stimuli that may overwhelm them. Plus, it is not the most ergonomic of positions.

That being said - I would take both a carrier (NOT a BB) and a double stroller. I think the carrier is especially handy while in lines. We have a Baby Hawk Mei Tai that we still occasionally use with our 2 year old in the back carry... I'm debating taking it to use for that purpose.

Both my Sling EZ and my Moby Wrap, and most of the structured carriers my husband has tried have a front facing position to be used when the baby is able to support his own head and wants to face the world to see what's going on around him. I thought it was recommended so they could see their world and learn about it while still having the comfort of mom or dad right there so they know they are safe. It's designed to be used when the baby is interested in the world not before when the world is too stimulating to them. At least in my understanding.

 

[emmababy]

Thanks for all your tips! We have a hip hammock that we thought would work, has anyone used those? I would really rather not pay for something that I know will only get used on this trip. It seems like you all are much more knowledgeable in the art of baby wearing than me, so thanks for all the tips!