Sling/backpack carrier for infant???

[megan4777]

We will be going on our first family trip this October with our 2 children. Our dd will be 2 and we will have an infant who will be 3 months old.
My question is what type of carrier is recommended for the infant?
I used the snugli for dd for a while but she was a big baby (and this one will probably be too)so it was a pain to get her into/out of and killed my back.
I'm curious and open to any ideas that worked for everyone else so we can plan for our trip!
Thanks!!!

 

[BevS97]

My dd was 9lbs 4 and just got bigger and bigger! We took her at 3 months and found the Baby Bjorn worked really well - it's comfy to carry (much better than a snugli) and easy to get on and off.

I also had a pouch sling (Maja do a similiar one, but I used a non-branded one) that was great for naps - but I found it hard on the shoulder for a longer carry.

the 2 together worked great, but if i only took one, then at that age i would take the baby bjorn (

 

[nucpharm29]

My new favorite is the Hip Hammock by Platex. It's a relatively new product, think it came out late last year. Anyway, it's great for bigger kids. The weight requirements start at 15lbs, and you can use it for kids up to 36lbs. My DD loves it! I bought it b/c my MIL was throwing a party and I didn't want to carry her all night long. I wore it for about 4 hours and no back pain. At the time she weighed approx. 23lbs. And compared to the Baby Bjorn, it's much easier to strap on. One strap to buckle around your waist and then the one shoulder strap. And it can be used for right or left handed people. The deluxe version (recommended) has a nice suede fabric, a pocket for cellphone, clips for keys and pacifiers/toys, and comes with a mesh bag for washing. I am planning on taking ours to WDW this april.

 

[maja36]

Whether going to wdw or not, I think the best carrier is the baby bjorn, the regular or active model (more expensive). But for a smaller baby (under 25 lbs) the regular baby bjorn is just fine. Have a good time. I would also recommend that you make sure your 2yo gets at least a nap so as not to ruin your disney holiday. The baby will surely sleep in the carrier, but so you all enjoy your trip, get him to sleep so he enjoys it too!!

 

[justhat]

I definitely second the Baby Bjorn Active Carrier! We used it almost exclusively on our trips to WDW when my daughter was 3 and 4 months, 24 inches and 13 pounds (only used the stroller in Epcot since the space between attractions she could ride was so big) and used it again in Disney last month when my daughter was 9 months, almost 29 inches, and 18.5 pounds. My SIL has a regular Bjorn and still used it when my nephew was 22 pounds at 9 months, but she couldn't keep him in it too long cause she said it got painful. The active carrier is worth the price, IMO, because I really don't feel any strain on my back and can keep her in it forever.

We also have a Playtex Hip Hammock, but I'm pretty sure your 3 month old would be too young for it because they have to be able to hold their head up really well on their own and sorta sit up a bit too. I got my when my daughter was almost 9 months and found her to be too small to fit in it comfortably (she was 28.25 inches and 18 pounds). It says the minimum weight is 15 pounds, but I really thought my daughter would slip through the leg holes so it stayed in the luggage in WDW last month. I did use it once 2 weeks ago on a cruise and it's great for helping you hold them, but she still seems a bit small for it. I think it will be really useful when my daughter's a little bigger, but for now the Bjorn is a better fit for her.

 

[joym70]

I've never seen these "hip holders" my 8mth old is already over 20#. He will be 11mth when we go to WDW, and probably bigger. Do you think this would be a viable option to at least hold him in while waiting in lines?
Thanks for any input

 

[Meredith'sMom]

We have not taken our little one to Disney yet, but we like the Bjorn too. I thought I might add that I also like my New Native Baby Carrier. It's great for a smaller baby, and they can nestle down in it and get a good nap. You can also order them in very subdued colors, and there are no rings and things to mess with. My idea of a sling was always a loud fabric with buckles and rings everywhere, but these are totally different.

Now that DD is 5 months, she loves sitting Kangaroo style, looking out at the world. She seems to prefer this to the Bjorn and it's easier to get her in and out.

You can see them at www.newnativebaby.com
They are also for sale now at www.babycenter.com , for less than regular price.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[lovethattink]

I used a Snuggli for our baby at 3 months.

 

[stacy6552]

Love love love the baby bjorn. We had our newborn in it and at WDW he was in it at 18 mos as well, in all those places you cant take the stroller.

 

[Brina]

The hip hammock is great. it has actually been around for a while, but playtex just recently bought the design from the mom who developed it. I have a very tiny 2 year old - she was 16 lbs when I adopted her 4 months ago - and it is very comfortable to carry her in it. Because she is on the side, resting on your hip, it is more convenient that the bjorn for a bigger baby - their legs are not dangling in front of yours. I highly recommend this product.

 

[tmfranlk]

I've been using my Hip Hammock for a year and a half and LOVE IT!!!! DD was about 5 months and 15lbs when I bought it. She is now almost 2 and just over 30lbs and I still love it. I carried her all over WDW with it this past March. If you wear it just right, your 3mo might be able to sit in it comfortably. It would depend on her weight, head control and where the back of the Hip Hammock hits her. I would definitely look into it though.

joym70, I think the Hip Hammock will be perfect for you. On our trip, DD was 13 months and almost 25lbs. I used the Hip Hammock in like for rides, for shows, for fireworks and especially waiting for the buses and on the way back to the resort at night. Even now, I can carry her around the city for several hours with little problem.

 

[Kermit]

I liked my New Native and Kozy carrier when my baby was that age. I have many types of slings, and those are my favorites. A Kozy might be better at WDW because it would be so simple to ride without making any adjustments.

 

[eeyore45]

I used the sling (not at Disney tho!0 and what I liked about the sling was when I was nursing, I felt I was discreet, dd could stay in in sling while nursing...

 

[Angela Bricker]

Never took my dds to WDW as babies but carried them everywhere else in my sling. I totally resisted trying it out, and it does take a little getting used to, but I have a bad back and those front pack things just broke me. With the sling I could still have a hand free (or 1.5, really) to do stuff, but a lot of the weight was balanced on my hip and not on my back muscles. A really nice feature is that you can fool around with the baby's position - my elder dd didn't mind passing out in the thing, sunk right down in and only visible as a lump. The younger one freaked if she couldn't see everything around her - but even as a newborn she was able to sit up in the thing, it's such a deep pocket. Plus there's room for a diaper, wallet, small camera, whathaveyou right there Oh, and I should mention - both my dds were over 8lb at birth, and I carried them until they were past 25 lb in my sling. Try that in a baby bjorn!

Whatever you decide, Have a Wonderful Trip!

 

[eeyore45]

Angela, my dd was 10#'s!! I didnt think about that!! I also have a bad back, huh, I never knew!! All I know is it was wonderful having dd in there during the holidays, it kept sticky fingers (etc) away from baby during that yucky flu season...

 

[Angela Bricker]

Hi Eeyore! I also liked the discretion - I'm not shy, but lots of folks get uncomfortable with someone nursing indiscreetly

Should mention in fairness, my dh never really liked the sling. Maybe he never spent enough time attached to the baby to appreciate it? Or maybe we didn't make enough effort to fit it for him. But it is an individual preference issue, for sure. I would definitely give it a try, though, it was a godsend to me.

Happy days, we're actually planning trip #4 right this minute! I can hardly wait! Now, to figure out the stroller issue for my dd who will just have turned 6 - last summer we totally needed one, and I don't think her legs have grown too much in that time....

 

[alloyd1170]

I used a Bjorn with my first and am going to try an adjustable pouch this time. The Bjorn was too hard on my back, and looking at my sons legs just dangling through the holes seemed so uncomfortable for him (he actually had red marks from it). I could only use it for a short period (like to the mailbox and back) before it started to bother my back. Ive read so many + things about slings/pouches that Im going to try one out. Check out Kangaroo Korner as they rate many, and even make some of their own.

alison