Sling and a stroller? Whats the best sling for WDW?

[WendyMichaelJohn]

We are thinking it might be a good idea to take a sling for Michael. He'll be 20 months when we go. We used a sling when he was a newborn and we had a Hip Hammock, but it seems to me the Hip Hammock would be a real pain to take on and off. I was thinking a sling might be easy to slip on and off, so if we have to pick him up to go where strollers can't go, like the Swiss family treehouse, the sling could be really useful.

Has anyone taken a sling before? Which kind did you buy?

Thanks

Shel

 

[mommystieg]

DD#3 was 7 months old when we visited in June. After reading lots of advice on here I purchased a Maya wrap adjustable pouch. Once I got the hang of it, it was really easy to slide on and off. This thing was an absolute life saver!! DD#3 rarely sits in her stroller for longer than 15 minutes if she is awake and she is a serious mama's baby--during our trip she didn't want anyone else to carry her but mom.
http://www.mayawrap.com/p_mwpouch.php

 

[becca011906]

I'm a sling/carrier addicated! LOL I have about 10 carrier or so.... My suggestion for his age would be a pouch carrier, like stated above the maya pouch but there are much better ones out there, www.hotslings.com is AWSOME great prices, great choices, and great sizing. Also another great option is a ring sling since you have used one before the learing curver wouldn't be that bag. my fav ring sling is from www.zolowear.com they have great solarviel material slings that are protect baby/child form UV rays and are great for air flow so not to hot. and the final option is a Mei tia carrier like www.kozycarrier.com this works best for a heavy child and can be used on the front and back. there are many many websites that WAHM moms make and sell carrier onlline i would much rather suport a mom then a company! PM me if you would like more tips or websites!

 

[kizmac]

I've always used my Maya Wrap. Love it! Easy to use and stow in the diaperbag if not in use. Used it at Disney many times.

 

[amarberry]

My daughter has never done very well in slings...she has always preferred the positioning of a Baby Bjorn type carrier where she is more upright and able to look around. She's getting too big for the Bjorn, so I've recently been on a quest to find a new suitable baby carrier. We have a Combi Urban Baby carrier which is similar to the Hip Hammock. It's okay...not a lot of fabric which is nice in the heat. The other carrier that I recently purchased is the Baby Trekker and I LOVE it. It's very similar to the Bjorn, but the weight limit is 45 pounds. You can wear the baby frontwards or backwards on either your front or back. I swear...it doesn't even feel like I'm wearing my 24 pound baby. It's so comfortable.

Just my two cents!!!

 

[Jen D]

We use and love the Maya pouch.

 

[Colinsmom]

I love my Kozy mei tai - www.kozycarrier.com. Great for even my 32lb toddler but it may be too much effort for what you describe. The adjustable pouches at www.kangarookorner.com and www.mom-and-me-creations.com are quite nice. For ring slings, I like Zolo the best but wasn't as crazy about it as DS got heavier (by about 25lbs, I was done with it).

 

[Zoesmama03]

I have a maya wrap I will use with my 2 year old. I'm using it in the airport to get to and from our gates while I pull our carryon with the carseat and diaper bag attached to it. Thankfully one way non stop flight so not much to deal with.

I also plan to bring it to Disney if she gets cranky from stroller and doesn't want to walk nicely. Oh and of course if we have any long lines for rides where she might not be so patient to wait.

If he's not been in them lately do some test runs at home.

I just did this last night for dd and she did NOT want to get out she LOVED it. And cried when I took her out, so I know she will love it through the airport especially since it will be really early to us(6am) when we get there. I want to keep her up until we get on the plane though if that is possible.

 

[Zoesmama03]

My daughter has never done very well in slings...she has always preferred the positioning of a Baby Bjorn type carrier where she is more upright and able to look around. She's getting too big for the Bjorn, so I've recently been on a quest to find a new suitable baby carrier. We have a Combi Urban Baby carrier which is similar to the Hip Hammock. It's okay...not a lot of fabric which is nice in the heat. The other carrier that I recently purchased is the Baby Trekker and I LOVE it. It's very similar to the Bjorn, but the weight limit is 45 pounds. You can wear the baby frontwards or backwards on either your front or back. I swear...it doesn't even feel like I'm wearing my 24 pound baby. It's so comfortable.

Just my two cents!!!

You can position little ones forward and upright in slings that aren't newborn cradle type. I had maya wrap and its very versatile. dd always loved riding upright on my shoulder or facing outward to see everything. I think it was depending on if she was tired or wide awake.

 

[becca011906]

Here's just a few pics of my and my dd using our carriers, sorry about most the cam shots are from my 5y/o taking the pics for me! http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/becca011906/album?.dir=/448a&urlhint=actn,del:s,3:f,0

 

[amarberry]

You can position little ones forward and upright in slings that aren't newborn cradle type. I had maya wrap and its very versatile. dd always loved riding upright on my shoulder or facing outward to see everything. I think it was depending on if she was tired or wide awake.

We started using our Over the Shoulder Baby Holder when DD was only a couple of weeks old and we seemed mutually uncomfortable so we pretty much put it away and just moved on to the Baby Bjorn which really worked well for us. I've since heard that the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder isn't the most user friendly sling. I've heard good things about the Maya Wrap and Kozy Carrier.

Anyhow...my husband has made me promise that I will not buy any more baby carriers (I'm up to four), but maybe if I tell him that becca011906 has 10, he'll cut me a little slack! BTW becca011906...your daughter is so cute...and so cozy looking in her slings!!!

 

[toesmom]

To the OP: you have a hip hammock... that is a great carrier. Especially for a 20 month old. It is very very easy to take him out of the carrier, and let him walk a little. And then easy to put him back in.

Being on your hip, he has a nice view of mom, and your back feels fine for long periods of time.

Slings for that age are not so comfy. I bought a maya wrap for my dd at about the same age, and found it useless, sorry. The hip hammock can be adjusted very comfortably.

And when you are not holding him, you can easily fold the carrier around your waist (slings are pretty bulky).

I've carried both my kids, my older dd hated strollers until she was 4. At the world when she was just under 2 yo I carried her around mk and epcot for 2 full days in the over the shoulder baby sling, and was warm, but not comfy.

My little one is 20 months now, and I've bought a hip hammock since he outgrew (28lbs) the baby bjorn active carrier (which I loved, but was pricey).

The hip hammock is the only carrier I plan to bring with me on my trip to the world in January. Stroller is only a backup and typically will hold my backpack, and will maybe help in sleep in the evening.

The hip hammock really is easy to use and since you say you have or had one... then you have no added expense. I would suggest you try to use it at home for a few weeks before you go.

That is my recommendation and I am probably the only person in my town who seems to carry their infants and toddlers while grocery shopping, while cooking, while nursing, while cleaning, while picking up older cousins, while visiting friends, while walking around the block... well you get the point. If I think it is comfy, then I think it may be worth a try for you.

And if you don't want your hip hammock, I'd be glad to buy it off you, Please send me a pm.

 

[Zoesmama03]

We started using our Over the Shoulder Baby Holder when DD was only a couple of weeks old and we seemed mutually uncomfortable so we pretty much put it away and just moved on to the Baby Bjorn which really worked well for us. I've since heard that the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder isn't the most user friendly sling. I've heard good things about the Maya Wrap and Kozy Carrier.

Anyhow...my husband has made me promise that I will not buy any more baby carriers (I'm up to four), but maybe if I tell him that becca011906 has 10, he'll cut me a little slack! BTW becca011906...your daughter is so cute...and so cozy looking in her slings!!!

LOL maybe he'll cut some slack. I tried the baby bjorn and snugli and we both didn't care for them(dd nor I). I later got the maya wrap and dh wasn't to pleased about it but okay'd it. He's glad I got lots of use out of it for the $50. Fortunately we didn't pay full price for the snugle or bjorn as I picked them up at resale shops and actually sold the bjorn for more than we paid for both. hehe I think that was the selling point for him letting me get the maya wrap.

I tried that over the shoulder back when I bought the maya wrap too and didn't like it either. It was uncomfortable to me the bulk I think. I also could never get the cradle position down with dd she hated it too. I wanted to so I could nurse in it but never could do that either while walking and moving. I did it okay while sitting at MIL's playing cards.

 

[Colinsmom]

My daughter has never done very well in slings...she has always preferred the positioning of a Baby Bjorn type carrier where she is more upright and able to look around.

Just wanted to say that you CAN use a sling in a hip carry position so that they can sit up and look around. But you found another great carrier that works for you - yay!

 

[Colinsmom]

Slings for that age are not so comfy. I bought a maya wrap for my dd at about the same age, and found it useless, sorry. The hip hammock can be adjusted very comfortably.

Everyone has different experiences with slings. I just wanted to say that I found the Hip Hammock just miserable with a 20lb baby - that neck strap dug into my neck so badly! But I was easily able to carry him in a sling until about 26lbs; the slings spread the weight across your shoulder rather than digging in. And my slings are much more compact than my Hip Hammock, so some of that depends on which one you try!

 

[Kermit]

I used to rave about my Kozy on these threads--until I got a Sutemi. It has padding on the shoulders, so it's great for a toddler. It's also easier to put on. It's not quite as fast and easy as the New Native pouch I use with my infants, but it's not bad at all.

 

[BiniB]

I saw someone post about an ergo carrier a while back...it looks kinda like a sutemi...
I also have an OTSBH - i use it when DS is sleeping but it gives me a backache after an hr or so if I am walking or doing housework...
What would be the best kind for walking thru the parks??? My DS will be 6mos old when we are in WDW (Nov 30th-Dec5th)

Thanks,
Robin

 

[PaulaSue]

I use my NoJo at Hersheypark, every week, with no problems with my 2 yr old DD who is about 26 pounds. It is not as big as Disney and I dont have her in all day but I really like it with the cushion on the shoulder and no buckles to deal with.

 

[lovethattink]

We live here in Fl and go to Disney often. I have ended up with the hip hammock and love it. In the heat we're having here, the hip hammock is ok. He still gets really hot and sweaty, but it's very airy. We checked out the Mayan wrap, but felt it was too hot for summer.

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Thanks everyone. While I do love the Hip Hammock, I'm wanting something buckle free. I have to disagree with the poster who said the hip hammock is not as bulky. I find it pretty bulky compared to even ring slings. Also, at higher weights, the hip hammock DIGS into my neck/shoulders.

Basically I'm looking for something that I can put on for VERY brief periods, and FAST. Something I can just pop him in really quickly and pop him out quickly. It doesn't even have to be the most cozy sling in the world either.

I'm guessing he'll be about 27 lbs when we go. I'm thinking either a very lightweight ring sling or a pouch. I just don't know if a pouch is doable for that age/size. It certainly seems like the quickest. Then again, I'd like to be able to use a back carry. I'm so tempted to get a zolowear sling, because they are just too darned pretty, lol!

Whatever I get, I want to get it now so we can practice and find out if he hates it.

Thanks for the help.

Shel