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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To still want to carry dd?

64 replies

Unrulysun · 07/01/2011 16:56

Literally. In a sling? She's getting SO heavy. I will be able to do maybe another month in the Baby Bjorn I reckon (she's 7mo now) but what then? Any ideas?

I find buggies a bit of a faff if I'm honest but is there another way?

OP posts:
Tinuviel · 07/01/2011 18:55

I had a Huggababy ring sling and used it till DD was 3+. By then it was just to give her legs a rest on longer walks (prob no longer than 10 mins at a time) but until 2+ was absolutely fine.

MrsMellowDrummer · 07/01/2011 18:55

I used a Moby wrap with my daughter until she was about 2ish.

Loved it. And I so miss pootling along with her half asleep in it, holding onto my finger... [nostalgic]

Grumpla · 07/01/2011 18:57

I use Mei Tei slings too (in fact I make them, as I am too tight to pay for a Connecta or similar) and they are great, but I don't carry full time now DS is 19mo - usually combine with the bike (e.g. cycle into town, sling round shops) or walk some way sling home when he is tired.

I always use a pram when it's icy though, even a good sling that has your child close to your body will affect your centre of gravity and I am always scared of landing on top of him especially after all those mince pies

MistyB · 07/01/2011 19:07

Ergo fan here too!! Carried DS comfortably on the front when too big for the Baby Bjorn and then on my back. He's too fidgety at the moment but I still use it for my 4 year old DD every now and again.

GrizzlyMacDuff · 07/01/2011 20:12

buzz mine is a Babyhawk Mei tai, ver pretty too and fleece lined, has been wonderful in the cold weather too, although not great in the summer or indoors Wink. I left it at home last christmas and had no pushchair where we were visiting so bought a cheap mothercare one, very similar to BB. Oh how i regretted that! Although i used a BB with DD who was tiny born so used it til she was about 14 months. Would not have been able to go past 6 months with DS.

I bought my mei tai on ebay for £35, perfect unused condition.

fuzzypicklehead · 07/01/2011 20:18

Toddlerhawk Mei tai for us. I carry 14mo DD and her 3yo sister in it with no problems! (not together, though)

TandB · 07/01/2011 21:06

Mei tai, ergo, connecta or wrap. I am surprised you have lasted to 7 months in a BB.

Even if you didn't get on with a kari-me, you might want to try a woven wrap. I started off with a kari-me and switched to a woven when it started to get uncomfortable. I am still carrying him full-time at nearly 18 months in a Didymos. The other thing about woven wraps is that you can put them on your back which I would suggest you try if you are finding him heavy. It distributes the weight much better and they can face forwards obviously. I went through a brief period of discomfort at around 10 months and now I barely notice him on my back - your muscles adjust quite efficiently.

To give you an idea of what is possible - I commute across London two days a week. Walk 15 mins to tube station, busy tube to train station. Train then bus to nursery. Same at the end of the day. I do this with him on my back, my work bag round my waist and a nursery bag on my shoulder. I can still get up the escalators quicker than most commuters and I have no discomfort at all.

Definitely worth trying other options.

animula · 07/01/2011 21:12

I had something like a Huggababy, made by a woman in Wales. I really wish I could remember the name.

Like Tinuvuel, I was able to use it for dd at 3+. It was particularly brilliant if dd was a little bit under the weather.

I feel all sad now, and want ot borrow someone's baby to carry around for a bit ... .

SpiceWeasel · 08/01/2011 07:57

Used a ring sling until DS was about 18 months, now I use an Ellaroo Mei Hip. He's 32lbs...!

jenniferturkington · 08/01/2011 08:01

I love the Ergo too! Still use it from time to time for both of my DCs if they need a rest. They are 3.7 and 23 months.

Mapley · 08/01/2011 09:22

I'm still carrying my 22 month old too, got a storchenweige woven wrap and tis totally fine, don't really notice his weight atall. You should google baby wearing and get into it, there's lots of fanatics support out there. Great tutorials on you tube if you decide to get a woven wrap. IMO they are the most supportive and versatile, but horses for courses.

Another option is getting a baby rucksack. I think they are great, my LO loves the veiw, and I like it too, feel less constricted than I do on days that I baby wear with a wrap.

tyler80 · 08/01/2011 09:28

Another recommendation for the Ergo, we got the newborn insert also so used it from early on. Something worth considering if you plan to have anymore.

I believe the newer Babybjorns (the active?) are better than the older ones in terms of sitting position. I know my sister was told by her paeditrician to avoid as it's not very good for the hips and her daughter had hip dysplasia.

Original poster
Unrulysun · 08/01/2011 22:40

Oh God - am now worrying that I have hurt dd with the crotch dangling :(

I think I might get an Ergo and try a woven too... Any experience of the different Ergo designs out there (performance/sport etc)?

This has been incredibly useful - thanks to everyone who's taken the time to advise/reminisce!

OP posts:
missmarples · 08/01/2011 22:51

Just watch your backs - can't believe so many of you are still carrying kids - you might regret it in old age ...

SiameseSnowCat · 09/01/2011 07:23

unrulysun don't worry about it, I'm sure it hurts you more than her. My DD seems fine, and I'll use my BB again with dc2. I think there's more info on this debate if you google it (sorry can't link- on phone)

I hope you find a nice sling that suits you
(whispers) my ergo was a knockoff from eBay for £10- or maybe an NCT nearly new sale would have one?

TandB · 09/01/2011 07:33

Don't worry about the BB. My friend who is a physic used one for 6 months and found that it suited them very well.

There are a few potential issues with the BB, but all of them are just possibles. One is the positioning of the baby, which I have generally heard described as "less than optimum" rather than bad. Another is the fact that it encourages people to put young babies facing outwards - there is a suggestion this may lead to over-stimulation as they can't lok away if it all becomes a bit much. The other issue is that a baby facing outwards puts a lot of pressure on the parent's spine.

As I say, all of these things are "possible" issues. If you do look on some of the babywearing forums you will periodically see a self-righteous rant about "crotch-dangers" which I personally find completely OTT and quite offensive. The BB is nothing more or less than a not top-of-the-range carrier that has become popular because it is produced in large numbers and sold cheaply compared to some of the other types. It's not brilliant, but it's not the work of the devil either!

goingroundthebend4 · 09/01/2011 07:36

Hmmthose that use slings for older dc can I ask for advice .am trying not to take ds3 wheelchair out with us on shorter trips but am finding I can end up carrying him as legs get tired still

so was wondering as some places are nit wheelchair friendly if there's sling type can use when he is tired

ds is 5.5 but put in perspective he is just over 1m and 16 kg so not massive .Does not need upper body support etc when using his chair and would only be short distances any longer days I would be taking his chair

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 09/01/2011 07:38

I had an Ergo baby carrier.
I absolutely loved it but got rid of it when I thought I wouldn't have any more babies Hmm where did ds2 come from?
I lved my ergo still structured, I carried dd in it for hours at a time when she was still a toddler adn I was pregnant with ds1 at the time.

mamaloco · 09/01/2011 07:39

I have a Ergo too and it is very good, plus it has a security elastic in case the clips get undone (which DD1 did once), so the baby doesn't fall.
great, got it second hand for 10 euros, it is on its 4th kid, a bit fade but still in good shape.
No back problems, and DD2 is relatively free to move and reach out without endangering herself. She is a very wriggly and heavy baby.

TandB · 09/01/2011 07:44

missmarples - if you carry child from a relatively early stage then your muscles adapt. If carried correctly a child shouldnt put pressure on your back. I have a long standing back problem and I am actualy much stronger and more robust after 17 months of carrying.

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 09/01/2011 08:36

I would love another Ergo just can't afford a new one just now Sad wish I had kept my old one.

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 09/01/2011 08:40

def try some of the carriers mentioned, but wil l say you will probably love the connecta, as its such an easy carrier to use.

i was still carrying dd4 when i was 8months pregnant, not for long periods of time, but when she was ill and wanted mummy to carry her and my arms couldnt do it.

i am now carrying my little newborn and loving the snuggles i'm getting. all the little milky sighs and coos as he settles down to snooze in a wrap against my chest. [love]

mousymouse · 09/01/2011 08:41

another vote for the ergo. maybe you could get a good deal second hand.
I carry dd (13m) every day and can carry her for hours without hurting my back.
we even went hiking in the summer, climbing over walls and fences and all that.

glovesoflove · 09/01/2011 08:48

Can I just sneak in and ask a question? My DD is 8m and weighs about 17lb, what position would you recommend I try with a Moby? I used to carry her snuggled up until she got too bored at about 12 weeks and I've neglected the wrap ever since. It would be very handy to sling her for getting to and from nursery!

FairyTaleOfNewYork · 09/01/2011 08:50

at this age and weight i would suggest you try a woven wrap.

also a basic rucksace carry or reinforced ruck on the back would work well. but practise practise. you could see if there is a sling meet near you or other slinging mamas.