Slings for a heavy baby

[Dorisday13]

Hi ladies, I'm looking for a sling and would love some recommendations!!! I'm using a caboo at the moment which was lovely when she was new but now she's a heavier 3m old I think I need something less stretchy? And something I can back carry with..
Thanks a million x

A Mei Tai or woven wrap will be best if you want to start using it now and continue until she's bigger - you can get soft structured carriers etc but most which will hold a 3 month old safely are nowhere near as supportive for older babies over a year or so (especially if she's big).

Do you have a sling meet near you? It's possible to back carry a 3 month old but not safe to attempt alone - best to get someone experienced to show you in person.

the Beco is great......would recommend. Can be used in several different positions.

sling meet also a good idea

ergo

Definitely find a sling meet, trying loads is the only way to find one thats comfortable for you both, but when you find it, you'll never look back!

I love my Ergo and would always recommend it I used it from 5 months with my DD and from birth with my DS, he still goes in it now he has just been 3 so well worth the price.
You will probably need an infant insert for a three month old but you can always ask the advise of whoever you buy it off.

Personally, I would go for an Ergo. They are hard wearing, you can carry front and back (hip too I think, although I've never tried it). If your DD is still too young to sit with her legs apart (at 3 months I think she might be), then you can get an infant insert. Have a look at their website.

Other than that, a woven wrap is supportive and once you have the hang of it very versatile. I loved my stretchy wrap, but since she's heavy a woven one would be your best bet.

I don't know much about them in general but I have a Moby wrap that I use with DD who is 6m and getting on for 20lbs. She seems fine in it.
I haven't attempted putting her on my back but there are good instructions for it (recommends you have help and looks like it might be better for a toddler). The Moby is meant to go up to 30+ lbs (can't remember exactly).

Ergo's are great but there are a LOT of fakes around.
Only buy from a registered seller i would reccommend www.lovetobenatural.co.uk

Oh and as an aside please dont use a stretchy on your back, i know the instructions say you can but they are not supportive enough and its very dangerous.

for example

Ergos are ok but most my friends are outgrowing theirs.

Beco. boba, patapum, manduca...... Just a few ideas.

Hmm food for thought Christian
That lady is a pro!

I quite happily carried mine in my erg until he was at least 2.5. I am very small framed and would walk 4 miles across the south downs with a vey steep hill clmb with a 2 year old strapped to my back. It was comfortable enough.

Ergos can easily take the weight/size of toddlers even larger ones, so I don't understand how any child can outgrow them unless they are ready to actually walk round.

Another vote for the ergo.. DS is 9 months and we take him out in it all the time. Now he's on the move I pop him in there & get some jobs done & he loves it.

I had a stretchy wrap & a baby Bjorn but as he got bigger they did my back in. Wish I'd just hit this from the start

The ergo is quite low in the back bigbuttons. If you have a tall child, especially if they're prone to back arching it can be unsafe as it won't reach anywhere near up to their shoulders. Although saying that I had a patapum (slightly longer back than Ergo) and I had to stop using it at 3. I guess it depends how long you want to use it for - if you're happy to stop at 2ish then it's probably adequate. I could have done with a carrier for occasional use continuing into age 3/4, I didn't buy one at this point though because I couldn't justify it.

Most my friends were outgrowing the ergo by 18mths as they were ages out babies and the back didnt come up high enough. Plus not enough width in seat to make them knee to knee.

We are using the patapum at moment and awaiting a custom made carrier that a friend is making.

*were arms out babies.

I love my ergo, and it is good for up to 40 kgs, not that you would want to carry a 40 kg child around!