help me find the right carrier!

[lydiathetattooedlady]

im currently taking my (heavy) 7 1/2 m ds to work with me. i have been using a moby but finding it stretching a bit when he's in it.

i am after a carrier that holds a bigger baby well, that can be forward facing as well as being used on my back. the only ones i can see are ergo and wilkinet...are there any others?

[CMOTdibbler]

As Loopy said, theres a lot of choice in the soft structured carrier. Another choice is a MeiTai, which has tie straps. Like the SSC, they are very versatile, but you can do even more positions and ties to make them work the way you want.

The Babyhawk is a very popular make, and I've got on with mine very well. Look at a site like Big Mama Slings or SlingJax to see all the choices. Buying second hand on a site like the Yahoo group UkBabywearingSwap makes them economical, especially as you don't lose a alot if you don't like a sling and want to sell it on.

My DS (who I have carried since he was tiny, and still gets a ride at 3.7) has always been happy to look to the side or over my shoulder. Its better than facing out as it's not so overwhelming for a baby as they have the choice to just snuggle into you

[CMOTdibbler]

Glad you like it - what does yours look like ? People can't believe it when they see me carrying DS in mine - soo comfy !

[lydiathetattooedlady]

thank you ladies! after researching, ive read that front facing carries arent that great for kiddies so having that as requirement is now out the window!

i think im edging more towards a ssc like the rose and rebellion, i really like the fabrics they do, others ive seen seem to have quite feminine patterns on. Im worried with a tie one like a mei tai it will make my fat stick out in all directions!

would a buckle one by quicker to put on?

do you have a preference?

[CMOTdibbler]

Personally, I prefer MTs, or half buckles (waist buckles, shoulders tie) as I found getting the shoulder straps of an SSC a PITA over coats. As DS got older (and he is 3.7, and in age 4-5 clothes, weighs 20kg odd), I also needed to tie my MT to put more weight across my torso - an SSC is more like carrying everything on your shoulders and hips than spreading it round.

It takes very little time to put either on once you are used to a carrier

[GreenMonkies]

I am a devotee of ring slings, they are versatile, adjustable and very comfy. I have carried both my girls in ring slings (my favourite is a padded Huggababy) from birth until they were 4 or 5 years old. I don't think you can go wrong with a ring sling.

[BertieBotts]

I love my patapum (toddler) - I like that the body is very long and it has extra straps to stop the child from leaning backwards which really puts a strain on your back. You could use it for a 7 month old if you put the baby in on your front and then scoot it around to your back - I do this for DS (16 months) as I have short arms! It is very quick and easy to put on and I find the fact that it is preadjusted great as I always found it hard to hold the baby's weight and tie a carrier at the same time.

If you have been used to a wrap I think you might find a ring sling uncomfortable as it is on one shoulder only. I find a ring sling great for short trips or doing jobs around the house with a clingy, teething baby, though.

[lydiathetattooedlady]

i have a ring sling which i use for quick out n about trips as i do find it pulls a bit on my shoulder!

ooh im so torn, part of me thinks i'll mainly use it in doors so to get a ssc but i do like mai tais. im just torn because you can get lovely skull print boyish ssc but mei tais all have the same girly/swirly/flowery patterns!

[CMOTdibbler]

Oh no, the MTs aren't all girly - my ToddlerHawk is black with a blue asian dragon one side, blue geometric design the other, and my Dream Carrier is brown with a black celtic tattoo design. You just have to find the right ones !

I have a SBP extra wide ring sling, and it's great for up/down things, but I can't carry a sleeping DS in it for an hour