Baby carrier/sling virgin needs help!

[lechatnoir]

I've decided to invest in a baby carrier/sling but there are so many different types & I have absolutely no idea where to start so wondering if anyone can advise or point me in the right direction.

I want something that: can adapt to front & back carrying, doesn't make me look all squished up & like some lumpy frump , will contain a seriously wriggly baby who would rather climb over mummy than sit & be held like most normal babies ; will cope for a few years with an already large (heavy & tall)8 month old; is quick & easy to use; is under ?50!

Does such a thing exist & where is the best (cheapest ) place to buy these things?
LCN

my first thought was a mei tai although the straps can make you look rather big boobed depending on how you tie it!
I got a cheap old-style cwtshi from naturalnursery.com which is FAB

only thing it can't do is a front carry facing out for a bigger baby. you can do it with a smaller one if you sit them in it cross legged though I think

Hey I dream of having big boobs so no problems in that respect . Thanks for the link & I'll pop in & have a look in the morning....LCN

also www.sasaslings.co.uk/ hires slings so you can try before you buy

We love our sling but it's hard to carry ds in any position other then on my hip (which he & I love). Try KangarooKorner.com. We have the adjustable fleece pouch.

I'm about to invest in an Ergo (google them) - I tried my friend's and it was soooo comfortable. She carries her 3 yr old in it on her back but mainly uses for little baby on front or back. Check out their website - it has a pocket so you can carry your purse & keys and has a little head support thing that fold away - it got good reviews on MN!

Ooooh I'm liking the Ergo but at the price!! I might see if I can hire one to check I like it first but I do think this one ticks most if not all of the boxes!

Thanks for the help.
LCN

Ooh can I jump on this one, as there was an ergo discussion a few weeks ago and it had died a death before I read it.

Our DS is 6mth old and pretty heavy, just about out of the Baby Bjorn. We have a back pack for him which he likes but strikes me as being too bulky for going round the shops, and a hippy chick which hasn't been great yet, but I think will be once he can sit up a bit more.

Would it still be worth me getting an ergo ? I would like something I could take out for short trips that isn't too large. Thanks

The ergos on e-bay are almost same price as new ones, so resale value is good. I'm sure a heavy 6 month old will be fine - my friend often carries a big 3 year for a mile or so (not long distances any more). They are really comfy and relatively small when you take them off. The baby bjorn was so bulky to carry around if baby wasn't in it, I stopped using it. That and it hurt!

I know, isn't it wierd? I'm in the US and the ergo is $92 on their own website with free shipping and 30 day return policy. Why would I buy a used one from Ebay for $88?!

Hi sorry to be a pest, anniemac you always seem to have good advice for my dilemmas, also thanks to mamama. Is it worth forking out for the new generation one or is the cheap one good enough?