Baby carrier post 6 months?

[Phine83]

My DC is 6 months and nearly too heavy for the Chicco carrier. I fancy getting a new carrier that will take up to a toddler but DH wants a hiking backpack style carrier. Tbh I fancy both! I currently use the carrier a fair bit for popping to the shops etc (though not for the next month of course)
So just wondered what your experiences were of carrying an older baby. Would it be worth getting both?

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MNHQ

[sleeplessinsouthengland]

We had a Connecta (now Integra) and still sometimes use it with my 2yr old although they do bigger sizes up to school age.

We tried a backpack one once on a holiday and didn't get on with it.

But every baby is different and so is every parent. Ideally you'd try out a few different types from a sling library near you.

[CMOTDibbler]

I carried ds till he was 4 (not all the time obv, but on a long day out he'd need a nap and a rest, we never used a pushchair past 1) and we did get a Little Life hiking carrier when he was 18 months, and we didn't like it - his weight was too far out and up. Mei tai type slings worked much better for us, and when he was older, the hybrid type with a buckle waist and long shoulder straps took his (considerable) weight much better

[MotherWol]

I got a soft structured carrier (Beco Soleil) when DD was 6 months, and was still using it when she was 2! It’s handy for those times when they want to walk but they don’t have much stamina and get tired, plus you can do back carries as they get bigger. The hiking ones are great for hiking, but they’re bulky and often are designed for men so unless you’re tall and have a long torso, they’re not the most comfy.

[Clockwork99]

Ergobaby (360 or Omni), first one used it post 2 years (then preferred to walk everywhere). No back ache and very easy to adjust... Any questions let me know.

Pre lockdown used it for hiking/holidays, no issue whatsoever.

[Littleelffriend]

@Clockwork99 I’ve just bought the ergo baby original, and am really uncomfortable with it on. I also can’t get the bloody winter cover on, any tips?

[smeerf]

The Ergo 360 can be used for a front or back carry and does up to toddler size. We used it daily to take DS1 to nursery and it fit both me and OH really well.

[mindutopia]

A hiking backpack style carrier won't be suitable to about a year or a bit past. A soft-structured carrier that you can use front and back would be great. I can't quite envision what you mean by 'Chicco carrier' but most soft structured carriers are perfectly suitable for toddlers. Is there a reason you can't continue to use the one you have for another 6 months or so and then go for the hiking backpack carrier?

[Clockwork99]

[quote Littleelffriend]@Clockwork99 I’ve just bought the ergo baby original, and am really uncomfortable with it on. I also can’t get the bloody winter cover on, any tips?[/quote]
The YouTube video on how to adjust is very useful. If I remember right, do the waist adjustment first, then the two arm adjusts and then finally the back one.

If you feel a pull or a strain somewhere, would advise a sling library (before Thursday of course!). Our local one was great when we were debating which to buy.

[Phine83]

@mindutopia it's the Chicco easy carrier and it's suitable to 9kg so not long until it's too small! I borrowed a baby Bjorn and feel it's also too small now though I don't have the instructions so maybe I'm missing something

[Sonicthehedgehogg]

I still put my 21m old in the Connecta reasonably comfortably. Better in a back carry position, but that's mostly due to welly-clad feet bashing my legs. Must check the weight limit actually....
Got mine on gumtree and both DH and I agreed it's the best item we bought. Would give up both the pushchair and cot if I got to keep that.

[Phine83]

Thanks everyone. You've convinced me that I do need one! Thanks also- this is my first Mumsnet thread!

[Changechangychange]

We have a Manduca (tried the Ergo and didn’t get on with it, apparently often doesn’t suit shorter women, thank God for sling libraries so we could try before we bought it).

We used it daily until DS was about two and a half (nursery was a tube ride away, and our local station has loads of steps). Still use it occasionally now he’s 4 (hiking trips, carrying him home if he falls asleep after a long day out).

Once your child is old enough for piggy backs, you can just use the carrier to free your hands up. No four year old is going to sit in a sling all day like a baby will, but having it makes things so much easier when they get tired and want to be picked up.

We do take his bike etc, but there are some days out that involve a lot of walking, and that aren’t suitable for bikes/scooters. For example we went to Kew Gardens to see the Gruffalo last month, and he walked 12km quite happily, but then was falling asleep on the train on the way home. I put him in the sling to walk back from the station. Far less hassle than carting an empty pushchair all day.

[NameChange30]

I have an ergobaby adapt that can be used for front, side and back carrying. The weight limit is 20kg although I haven't carried my 3yo in it for a long time! Now using it for my 8 week old.

[NameChange30]

If I was buying again, I'd be tempted to get a Tula as they have nice designs!
babytula.co.uk/collections/baby-carriers

[Anniemabel]

We had the ergo 360 and then when he got too big for that at about 18 months we got the toddler Tula. Both fold down so you can carry them around in a small bag which is handy because older children don’t want to be in a sling the whole time but also get tired if you make them walk too far so having a carrier that is small enough to fit in a bag is handy.

[BogRollBOGOF]

Youngest is 7 now, but with a 2 year age gap, I used a single buggy and alternated carrying the other and could carry mine until they were 4.

I had a Stokke carrier that had a support down the spine.
Also used wraps and slings.

I was fit!

[Phine83]

@Changechangychange oh that's interesting about the ergo and shorter women... I'm only 5 foot 3... I don't think I'll find a sling library before Thursday! I wonder if they do returns...

[Cordillera]

I loved our Babyhawk, DD went in it from sometime late in the first year and still occasionally at 4. I'm short and her Dad 6'5 but we could both use it. Back carries were great after about a year old.

[aToadOnTheWhole]

We had a Connecta (now Integra) and still sometimes use it with my 2yr old although they do bigger sizes up to school age.

This. Best bit of baby kit I ever bought. In the middle of lockdown I stuck my 3.5 year old in it to go into Aldi so he couldn't touch anything (and he's a big lad!) Worked a treat! and I'm looking forward to using it again with baby #2.

[ShowOfHands]

I'm 5ft 3" with a v short torso. I used an ergo until my dc were 4 without an issue. I also had a wrap in my bag at all times as it folded up nicely and doubled as a blanket for sitting down / snuggling where necessary.