to just want a toddler sling

[kaffkooks]

DS is 14 months and I have just become aware of slings. He isn't walking yet and I think a sling would be really handy. My friends have now put me on 2 sling Facebook groups and I am totally overwhelmed by the jargon. Tried to contact connecta about buying a new one from them but no reply. I think I'm going to give up as I am wasting time on this. I want ONE sling, I don't care what it looks like, I just want something portable that I can use to carry DS when I've cycled somewhere with him in the trailer. He'll probably be walking by the time I get something suitable!

Don't get an Ergo for a toddler - they're great up to about 2 but pretty short in the back so useless beyond that.

The Boba 3G is designed for toddlers and is excellent. It's a cloth carrier but has straps/buckles and would probably be even better for long walks than the little life. It has little foot rests to encourage good hip/leg position in older toddlers.

If you're anywhere near Warwickshire I know of a sling library which has one to lend out if you want to try before you buy. Otherwise you're looking at online - find a shop with a decent returns policy.

I loved my Joey slings Mai Tai. Just abig rectangle of fabric with 4 long straps. Nothing to adjust when change between mum or dad carrying. Folds up tiny and lasts for years

Toddler Connecta and Toddler Rose and Rebellion here - we still carry our four year old and nearly three year old. It is tricky if you're not used to it though, you definitely build up resistance. Tend to be lots of them second hand on eBay and on Natural Mamas forum. If your DC is not massive, the baby sized ones fits for a good long while. I had DS in toddler sizes from about eighteen months but he is long.

I love my Ergo, DS aged 26 and tall fits it easily. So comfortable and soft to easy to carry when not using it. Brilliant when we went to the beach as buggy would have got stuck in sand dunes and sand etc. I can carry DS for 4 miles comfortable. He weighs around 14 kg.

I'm impressed at Olympicsrock, carrying her 26 year old DS.

Tula
Not cheap, but I can vouch for the baby one.
I would also google your local sling library

I have never owned a pram or pushchair and we (DH looks after them part time) got through a few wraps and slings and I really really rate the Boba. It's tall in the back and easy for men and not hot like a wrap.

I could also do booby on the move in it much easier than a wrap and both children had almost all their naps in them.

One Boba lasted daily use with two children for the toddler part of the carrying for about 4 years, before the clip at the back went.

I wouldn't buy an Ergo for a toddler as it's low in the back. But it's a great carrier all the same.

it's also plain brown and not it ditzy juggling colours. When you lob em about everywhere and feed them in it I like plain.

I loved my Toddlerhawk. So comfy!

Another vote for Manduca. I tried a few with DD1 and got this when she was about 12mths, then used all the time with DD2. Loved the fact you could carry on the hip.

They come up on ebay-I sold ours there and got 2/3s of what we paid for it back

If you want something really tiny to roll up in a bag, look at the boba air. My toddler still fits in it and it's minute!

I'd avoid an Ergo for a toddler too - low in the back and not knee to knee.

Lots of sling libraries do postal lending, so you could try hiring a couple of toddler sized carriers? I have a toddler Rose & Rebellion which is great.

These libraries have toddler size carriers for postal hire
www.itsaslingthing.co.uk/collections/available-to-hire/buckle-carrier+child-toddler
eastbourneslinglibrary.co.uk/category/18_24_months/
southlondonslings.co.uk/library-catalogue/soft-structured-carriers/

I love the connecta! Dc is stil in the baby size one at 14 months.

Actually, if you're thinking longer term then agree with others that the ergo can be low on the bak. R&R do an inbetween size which one fiend swears by, whereas my other friend loves her wombat. I started with an R&R which has a lovely high bak, but moved to the tula which suits me better.

I think there is a sling shop online which lets you hire a sling and then givesa decent discount if you buy from them. I'll dig their name out

Lily's already linke it :D

I would definitely go for a toddler one, BTW, if you're umming and ahhing between toddler and baby sizes. A 14 month old should fit into most and it will last you far longer and be more supportive as she gets bigger.

If you have another child and need a baby sling then you could look at those at the time.

Was still using my mei Tai for DD when she was 3 and even on occasion when she was 4.............loved it and really miss carrying her, but at 6 she is just too big now!!!

Lily, thanks very much for the link to "its a sling thing." Postal sling library really suits so I've ordered a toddler connecta to try.