When do people stop carrying babies in baby carriers ?

[marilenagrace]

I had a small one but would like to start carrying my 15 month old again sometimes, as I find it convenient. Is that weird ? I have no idea when people tend to stop carrying them in a baby/ toddler carrier ? They definitely sell them for her weight category.. but just wondering if it's a bit weird to carry them like this ?

I carried both mine to about age 4, obviously mostly they walked but when they were tired I used the sling, so much easier than a buggy.

@zurala I miss it ! I stopped it a few months ago, because the one I had was just too small. But when you need to just pop out- it's SO much quicker and easier ! I really enjoyed it before. It's not bad for them physically is it ?

It's completely natural and not bad physically for them at all. I'm in childcare and baby wear well in ti toddler hood! My fave is the ergo carrier and I usually carry on the front until I find it too heavy then swap to the back

I did till 6 months

I wouldn't find it weird at all. I'd recommend back carrying at that age. I only stopped when DD didn't like being in the carrier anymore- would have loved to carry for longer otherwise x

I’ve seen someone with an African style wrap in town with their child on their back

Yes she got some looks, but at the end of the day, who cares?

She probably won’t see most of those people again

Only in the last 6 months or so - my youngest is 4.3 years old

We have an ergobaby Omni 360 still carry DS in our he's 2.5 and just over two stone. We live near the beach and walk a lot and he's pretty good at walking or scooting fairly long distances but does need carrying and it's easier than the buggy

I still stick my 3yo on my back every now and again. Not often now because he walks, but occasionally. Why would it be weird? And how is it any weirder than carrying a child on your shoulders, say?

I carried DS until he was about 3.5 years old. He's on the 98th centile for height and weight. My sister is adamant that her 9-month-old is too heavy to be carried. Each to their own.

Only on the back now though, front is too heavy. He says 'i ride on daddy now?' when he's tired 😁

I carried mine until nearly 4. Where I live lots do it as it’s a tricky place to use prams (hilly plus cobbles). I stopped when they became too heavy and could walk longer distances. It was a lifesaver for long walks - they walked until their legs got too tired and we didnt have to heft a pram around.

I loved wearing my son but I don’t think I could anymore even if I wasn’t heavily pregnant

He’s 13 months, wearing 18-24 month clothes (about to go into 2-3) and soooo heavy! I might manage 20 mins but certainly no longer without serious backache.

I used mine with my son until he was 2.5 for certain trips. It was very handy going through airports and theme parks when he was 18 months, and on longer walks Until later. For instance, we would go for a 3 mile walk through the countryside or coast and he could jump in when he got tired.

@bunglebee I don't think it's weird really. I have just never paid attention to what others do and can imagine that my mum and MIL may say ' isn't she too big for that now ? That's only for babies '. So I wanted to ask on here if that's the general opinion or if that's just them.. I also wanted to ask just to make sure it's not somehow bad for them. There seem to be lots of things that seem fine, but then I come here and realise they're not.. front facing car seats for example ! I had no idea they were not good.

Carried DS until 3.5. Would have carried on if not now pregnant but DH does carry still on long walks.

I recommend a sling library if/when open again.

I carry my two year old on my back in a Mei tai. It’s a life saver. I had her on my front or hip in the same carrier till it started hurting my back about 8 months ago but on my back I can do miles in complete comfort. She loves walking and running but gets tired and it scrunches down so I take it with us if we’re on a long walk. If she’s tired and I need to pop to the shop I use it or if she’s grumpy and wants to be close to me but I’ve got stuff to do.

Carry on as long as you’re both enjoying it.

DD is just over two stone.

A tie one like a Mei tai is great for us as DH is 9 inches taller than me and we both use so don’t have to adjust straps.

I promise I don’t have shares but I am quite evangelical as it’s so convenient

can imagine that my mum and MIL may say ' isn't she too big for that now ? That's only for babies'

And you say: “no she’s not, she’s very comfortable and I find it convenient.”

OMG no, I carry my 3 year old sometimes if we're out on a walk. A friend's 3 year old is carried to nursery all the time and she starts reception in September!

Mostly til she was around 3, but hauled the ring sling out again for a festival when she was 4.

I'd say as long as you can, and as long as they want to. Mostly by 3, she was keen not to be interrupted on her meandering walks!

DS was carried some of the time on our summer holiday the summer before he started school. Basically until he started school we took the carrier nearly everywhere and when tired he would ask to climb in.

If the child is young enough to get a piggy back when they’re tired then all you are doing is supporting your back a bit better.

When he was 2.5 years as I was pregnant again.

Eldest was 3.5, youngest probably 2.5 when they were able to walk much longer distances and we’d spent a day wearing the carrier as an extra layer instead of with a child in it.

I carried DD til well past 4 in a Rose & Rebellion big kid carrier.

@Lubiluxe it’s better than being in the pram or pushchair as it builds their core muscles. It’s fine as long they still get plenty of time to roam around too but that also applies to pushchairs.

DD1 about 12 months because I was too scared to back carry and DD2 at 8 months as I bad back problems - not related to the sling. I miss slingy cuddles but it’s time really I sold my slings because I’m not going to have another baby.