Baby carrier with reduced flexibility, strength and dexterity

[KatyMac]

So I need to carry a baby (not mine) a fair amount of the time - think childminder/nanny scenario

Baby is 10 weeks over 12lbs, and it's hard to me to stand holding already, my hands, wrists and elbows get tired I don't really know how my shoulders and back will cope but so far it's the lower joints that have caused problems

A wrap is pretty impossible I don't have the dexterity or flexibility

Traditional carriers seem challenging

I dont have a local carrier library

Anyone tried anything that works well?

Bump (sorry I know its boxing day)

I'd imagine a structured one like an ergo would be best. You've also got different positions to try and see what suits you. We had an omni 360 and I always found it comfortable, very easy to put on too.

A ring sling? Weight isn't very evenly distributed, but safe for a small baby, and easy to get on and off.

Ergo embrace. It’s softer that the other ergos as designed more for young babies. We used ours from newborn to 18 ish months. It’s buckled closed so no ties
You can sit down comfortably whilst wearing it

I looked at putting them all on, the ergo embrace might be possible but I thinking might still struggle a bit grabbing the straps

@KatyMac I've sent you a PM

Maybe a hiking baby carrier is better, they tend to be backpack styles.

There's a really helpful sling library with an amazing fb page, she has lots of experience and rents by post. I'd highly recommend!
Carrying Connects is the name of her sling library. She's been so helpful!

I’d be concerned about your balance if your joints etc are painful.
a friend fell with their 4month old in a sling, and it was a pretty scary situation.

Sorry just adding some more thoughts
Hiking carrier definitely not OK for such a tiny baby!
We have a few carriers. Ring sling absolutely the easiest once you've got the hang of it, and easy on/off and adjusting.
Ergo baby is good but you need to be able to do a buckle up between shoulder blades so may be tricky?
I have a beco sling where the straps cross over behind the back so you clip to the front and side which might be more the kind of thing?
My favourite now is a half buckle - buckle round the waist then you tie the top straps?
If you're near me (Dorset) I'd happily let you try on what I have!

Actually maybe the newer babybjorn type. They are now more ergonomic and I think you put on the strap first like a rucksack and then all the clips are just on the front so less stretching.

i think John Lewis has babybjorn and Ergo embrace and some others and they usually have them out to try on. So maybe go and try a few

I think hiking types are out probably on weight alone

Fastening on the back looks to be a problem

However the baby born mini looks possible thanks @Caspianberg but loads of the ither models fasten at the back again

I'll see if I can find a video of the Beko @ChimpiestoftheChimps & I joined the group

I'll message you @SelkieSeal

I have very limited use in one arm now, but used slings a lot when ds was a baby. A ring sling now would be the best option for sure as they are so easy to get on and off and suitable for a little one. Later, a half buckle might be the optimal solution as the waist clip is very chunky, and you just fling the shoulder straps over and tie in front and they aren't fiddly.

I originally wanted a ring sling but I'm worried I wouldn't have enough direction strength to tighten it

Ergobaby you can do the shoulder blade clip up before putting it on. Or you can actually cross the straps over and not bother with it at all- I find this more comfortable being petite. The ergobaby embrace is better for tiny babies but is less supportive once they get heavier.

Every sling consultant I've met looks down on the babybjorns- I'm not sure if it's just a carry over from the awful 90s style ones. I've used an old tula one that just had 2 clips but I've no idea what it was called.

I wouldn't advise a ring sling if you have any sort of mobility issues though tbh and I love them normally. They are very simple but quite fiddly at the same time, especially for a small baby where the correct tension is important. You need finger dexterity and strength to tighten correctly.

Also to the pp who is worried about you falling over- its much safer falling with baby in a sling as you can use your arms to break your fall. If they are just in your arms then your options are squashing or dropping them.

I've seen a marsupi which is all velcro so that might be better than clips?

Do they still count as tiny - they are prob 12/14 lbs already