Does anybody else use backpacking type carriers? We've been using a Kelty FC1, but now that ds is in the 25 pound range I've been eyeing Deuters. I tried on a Deuter Kid Comfort III at the consignment store and it was NICE!!!
I hated the Kelty. The frame is way too heavy, even without a kid inside. DH tried it, too, and didn't think it was particularly awesome for a day-long outing.
ooh, I have tried a few. I do miss wearing my boys but they're 35 and 45 lb now and aren't fans of being confined anymore!
Moby Wrap - just the standard one in chocolate brown. Was great for the early days with my boys, although they were both >16 lb by 4 months, so that's pretty much when I stopped using it. This got passed along to a family member recently.
BjornOriginal - got it second hand for about $20; like the Moby, it was great for the early days, and I liked how I could easily unclip a sleeping baby. But, after a couple of months when my boys got huge, it just hurt my back too much to use. Sold it second hand
Beco 4th generation - Loved this. Bought it used off TBW way back when, and used it for hours daily with DS#1. But, it was hot. It was a heavy canvas material. Passed it along to a family member
BB Slen Woven Wrap in blueberry- I wanted to love woven wraps, but I just get too darned hot, and I wasn't willing to fork over tons of money for a lighter one since I didn't love wrapping. I lent it to a friend which reminds me to ask about it
Deuter Kid Comfort 2 frame carrier- We have done some serious hikes (Gros Morne, Lake Louise) with this sucker (mainly DH wearing it) and it's quite good. Got it second hand for $100 and will probably use it for the last summer this year
Ergo Sport - I traded in my Beco for an Ergo with DS #2. This was much cooler, although just as comfortable as the Beco. I still have it hanging up, although I doubt I'll get my squirmy 2 yo in it anymore!
Does anybody else use backpacking type carriers? We've been using a Kelty FC1, but now that ds is in the 25 pound range I've been eyeing Deuters. I tried on a Deuter Kid Comfort III at the consignment store and it was NICE!!!
yes! We have the previous version, and it's great! Last long hike we did (8 hrs), our son was about 35 lbs and probably spent half the hike in it (including a nap). He's super tall for his age. Here's our bigger guy
And here's the littler guy in it at 6 months (about 24 lb at that age)
Can you guys recommend a ring sling for me? I am a large lady (but only 5'4") so I probably need a long one. DD is small, currently 18 lbs at 14 mo. We would mostly be using a hip carry. She hates the ergo, hates the front carry and was pretty traumatized by the back carry in the ergo. I am hoping not to spend a ton since I don't know if she will like it (since our Ergo and Moby have both rarely been used). I haven't looked through the whole post yet but I am going to try to go through it now. Suggestions?
Can you guys recommend a ring sling for me? I am a large lady (but only 5'4") so I probably need a long one. DD is small, currently 18 lbs at 14 mo. We would mostly be using a hip carry. She hates the ergo, hates the front carry and was pretty traumatized by the back carry in the ergo. I am hoping not to spend a ton since I don't know if she will like it (since our Ergo and Moby have both rarely been used). I haven't looked through the whole post yet but I am going to try to go through it now. Suggestions?
Sleeping Baby Productions is very well loved: www.sleepingbaby.net/proddetail.php?prod=french I just bought one for as little as I could used off diaperswappers... it was $30, two layer cotton, and has served me very well. Check CL and see if anything is up locally.
I shipped my Amitola off to Poland (!) today to be converted into a half buckle MT. I'm soooo excited. It will be fully reversible, have padded to wrap straps, and a hood with bear ears. Eeep.
This thread is SO helpful! I rarely post on MMM but have been watching this thread like a hawk.
So the Tula discussions prompted me to look up the carrier and it seems like it might actually be a good fit for me...but can I ask for that advice first?
DD is a peanut - she just turned two and is 23lbs but 34 inches. When she was an infant, I used the Moby and Maya Wrap. Now, we use the Ergo (well, DH does) and I sometimes use the Maya Wrap when I need a quick carry. The MW wears a little heavy on my shoulder (DD only likes the hip carry) and I don't like how the straps of the Ergo dig into my shoulder too. DH doesn't really have a problem with it.
DD has plenty of weight left in the Ergo but her legs get those red indentations if she's in it for too long, seems like the Tula would give her more space in the seat, no? Plus, if the straps are wider than the Ergo, it seems like it should be more comfortable for me. Is this all correct? Or am I (as DH thinks) just looking for an excuse to buy the pretty prints? I think if I got the Tula, I'd use the back carry function quite a bit more. DD is a good walker but gets tired (she is two, after all)and when she's cranky, she wants to be carried, not in the stroller.
I'm tempted to buy from Abby's Lane with the 30-day free trial. Is that my best bet or is there another carrier out there for me? Or am I using the Ergo wrong?
I have a Kangourou - which is a Canadian version of the Moby I believe. I have her (3 weeks old) facing forward, but her head needs to be supported, so it is tipped to one side - should I be worried about her neck and the angle it is at?
I have an Ergo question. When did (anyone) start positioning with kiddo's legs spread in the M shape? J isn't comfortable with his legs froggied any more, but I feel like his legs are too short to stick out the sides. Do I just have a short kid?
I have a Kangourou - which is a Canadian version of the Moby I believe. I have her (3 weeks old) facing forward, but her head needs to be supported, so it is tipped to one side - should I be worried about her neck and the angle it is at?
What do you mean "facing forward"? A newborn should nearly always be facing you, except perhaps a cradle carry to nurse. You do need to watch the airway with a tiny baby. The best bet for me was always the hug-hold: www.mobywrap.com/mw/newborn-hug.htm
You can see the head does go off a bit to the side in those photos, but with the baby up that high you can easily tell if there are any problems breathing.
I have an Ergo question. When did (anyone) start positioning with kiddo's legs spread in the M shape? J isn't comfortable with his legs froggied any more, but I feel like his legs are too short to stick out the sides. Do I just have a short kid?
I think I used the bum blanket to boost her up a bit until she was around 4 months? Might help with the awkward in-between phase. They're also remarkably comfortable being pretty close to splits.
I have a Kangourou - which is a Canadian version of the Moby I believe. I have her (3 weeks old) facing forward, but her head needs to be supported, so it is tipped to one side - should I be worried about her neck and the angle it is at?
What do you mean "facing forward"? A newborn should nearly always be facing you, except perhaps a cradle carry to nurse. You do need to watch the airway with a tiny baby. The best bet for me was always the hug-hold: www.mobywrap.com/mw/newborn-hug.htm
You can see the head does go off a bit to the side in those photos, but with the baby up that high you can easily tell if there are any problems breathing.
I meant facing me, lol…sigh, mommy brain. Her head looks like it does in the link so I am not worried
This thread is SO helpful! I rarely post on MMM but have been watching this thread like a hawk.
So the Tula discussions prompted me to look up the carrier and it seems like it might actually be a good fit for me...but can I ask for that advice first?
DD is a peanut - she just turned two and is 23lbs but 34 inches. When she was an infant, I used the Moby and Maya Wrap. Now, we use the Ergo (well, DH does) and I sometimes use the Maya Wrap when I need a quick carry. The MW wears a little heavy on my shoulder (DD only likes the hip carry) and I don't like how the straps of the Ergo dig into my shoulder too. DH doesn't really have a problem with it.
DD has plenty of weight left in the Ergo but her legs get those red indentations if she's in it for too long, seems like the Tula would give her more space in the seat, no? Plus, if the straps are wider than the Ergo, it seems like it should be more comfortable for me. Is this all correct? Or am I (as DH thinks) just looking for an excuse to buy the pretty prints? I think if I got the Tula, I'd use the back carry function quite a bit more. DD is a good walker but gets tired (she is two, after all)and when she's cranky, she wants to be carried, not in the stroller.
I'm tempted to buy from Abby's Lane with the 30-day free trial. Is that my best bet or is there another carrier out there for me? Or am I using the Ergo wrong?
A toddler tula will have a wider seat. If there is a Baby Wearing Internation chapter in your city, you might be able to go and try on other carriers and see what fits and have them help tweak the ergo. I got pregnant when DS was 18 months and quit wearing him much after that, so I'm not much help for toddler wearing. Kinderpack would be another brand to look at to avoid the Tula bubble - don't pay over retail for something.
Thanks to you and @tokenhoser! I think the Tulas are really pretty but am definitely not caught up in any specific fabrics and would just buy whatever they had in stock. I mentioned Abby's Lane because they are local to me and I love them but luckily they sell for the regular retail amount, no bidding wars to worry about. I'll check out the Kinderpack.
I've never gone to a Babywearing meeting but I do hang with some pretty crunchy moms who know their babywearing and even with their help, never got the Ergo feeling quite right. I have a feeling that a woven wrap would be most comfortable (I did like the Moby) but I hated tying it. Hated. So I know I wouldn't use it.
Can you guys recommend a ring sling for me? I am a large lady (but only 5'4") so I probably need a long one. DD is small, currently 18 lbs at 14 mo. We would mostly be using a hip carry. She hates the ergo, hates the front carry and was pretty traumatized by the back carry in the ergo. I am hoping not to spend a ton since I don't know if she will like it (since our Ergo and Moby have both rarely been used). I haven't looked through the whole post yet but I am going to try to go through it now. Suggestions?
Have you tried to hip carry with the Ergo? I know you can do it with the Ergo Organic. I would assume you can do it with the other Ergos as well.
I have a Maya Wrap ring sling and have been happy with it.
Do you have a local baby wearing group? That might be a good way to test out ring slings before buying.
Thanks to you and @tokenhoser! I think the Tulas are really pretty but am definitely not caught up in any specific fabrics and would just buy whatever they had in stock. I mentioned Abby's Lane because they are local to me and I love them but luckily they sell for the regular retail amount, no bidding wars to worry about. I'll check out the Kinderpack.
I've never gone to a Babywearing meeting but I do hang with some pretty crunchy moms who know their babywearing and even with their help, never got the Ergo feeling quite right. I have a feeling that a woven wrap would be most comfortable (I did like the Moby) but I hated tying it. Hated. So I know I wouldn't use it.
Action Baby Carrier also makes a toddler carrier. I borrowed one for a month and liked it. I do not own a toddler carrier yet, but I do plan to buy one. I am undecided between the ABC, Kinderpack and Tula at this point in time.
B hated being worn when he was first born. He also has not napped on me since he was two months old. Kids needs his privacy. BUT we used this $5 Snuggli a few times and he loved it.
I have an Ergo question. When did (anyone) start positioning with kiddo's legs spread in the M shape? J isn't comfortable with his legs froggied any more, but I feel like his legs are too short to stick out the sides. Do I just have a short kid?
You can do one leg froggied and one leg out if he'll tolerate that. It's not just you, there was an awkward little period where my babies were too tall for the infant insert but lacked the torso/neck strength to sit well without it. It was a short phase!
We had to do that for a while. He didn't seem to really mind it but he was never going to, say, fall asleep that way. Eventually I bought my infant KP which solved that problem and even now at 5 months the Ergo is just barely knee to knee on him without being to wide.
@ojo this is weird but whenever I see your kids I feel like they'd be good buddies with C. His DC BFFs are a set of boy twins about the same age as yours.
Can you guys recommend a ring sling for me? I am a large lady (but only 5'4") so I probably need a long one. DD is small, currently 18 lbs at 14 mo. We would mostly be using a hip carry. She hates the ergo, hates the front carry and was pretty traumatized by the back carry in the ergo. I am hoping not to spend a ton since I don't know if she will like it (since our Ergo and Moby have both rarely been used). I haven't looked through the whole post yet but I am going to try to go through it now. Suggestions?
Have you tried to hip carry with the Ergo? I know you can do it with the Ergo Organic. I would assume you can do it with the other Ergos as well.
I have a Maya Wrap ring sling and have been happy with it.
Do you have a local baby wearing group? That might be a good way to test out ring slings before buying.
I have tried the hip carry with the ergo. It works okay but is not the most comfortable for me.