Baby carriers

[Stephdufc]

I was thinking about getting one of those baby carriers where they are strapped at your front and look out the way for walking ... my questions are.. what age do they go up to roughly as my son is 7 months(just) .. would it be a waste of money as he wouldn't get long out of it? Or is he already too big?

I've just got one for my 8 month old. He's not heavy thank god. The good ladies on here suggested I try a slug library. They will usually offer a load of options for you and you can rent them before you buy.

I used a connecta with ds1 until he was nearly three years old! Definitely recommend going to a sling library as different slings fit in different ways and you may not find them all comfortable.

Sling* library. Cannot confirm if a slug library exists

There are lots of different kinds and most people find the ones where they can face out (Baby Bjorn etc) are not that comfy especially for larger babies. I second/third the idea of a sling library. They are not as scary as they sound!

www.petsnails.co.uk/library.html

Slug library ( sorry couldn't resist)

I would go to mothercare or similar and have a play around with some.

Sorry forgot to add I tried a few but couldn't get used to them dd was very light but my back and shoulders just killed. I'm very big busted as well so that didn't help.

Ergo baby 360. Awesome and I can still get my 2 year old in it!

I swear by my Babybjorn One myself and it gives the added option of having DS on my back as well as on the front facing in or out (he loves riding on my back and I find easier at 15 months!). But as others have said, best to find a local sling library as everyone seems to find different slings easier or harder to get on with!

I would go to mothercare or similar
I really wouldn't. They are unlikely to have many in stock in any one shop, they tend to stock the more popular and expensive and rubbish older Baby Bjorn/Chicco type and it's unlikely there will be anyone who knows about using slings that can advise you.

Most decent carriers will happily take a fairly large toddler so I wouldn't worry about that for a long while :)

We use a Lillebaby all seasons but were long time hirers from sling library prior to that. I used a stretchy wrap for both my boys when tiny (and onwards for first) but then this time have opted for buckle carriers from roughly 5/6 months. We liked the connecta and sleepy nico, loved the ergo but then the lillebaby (all seasons) was a risk on sale and it's just awesome, can't recommend enough. If there isn't a sling library close then you can do it online at it's a sling thing. It's not something that's worth skimping on in truth as you could do your back/baby's hips in worst case or just not use in best case with a cheapo. Decent ones keep a really high value second hand (often more if you've landed a sale or something that goes out of stock) so it's definitely not something you'll lose out on. Plus so so handy, find a comfy one and you will not look back!

Oh yes lillebaby is fab. I had a bad back and used one of them too. Oh my god, so comfy. Has a lumbar support and everything.

But I also recommend a sling library or can hire on line. Think the site is called "it's a sling thing"

Try a sling library in your area you will get to try a sling for a fortnight and get a feel for whether it is suitable.

I went to one got a ring sling for two weeks then decided against buying one because I had two ready and thought save my money.

Definitely get to a sling library. Facing outwards is not very comfortable and in my experience unnecessary. By the time they are interested in the world around them they can move/control their head and torso enough to look around in a good sling or carrier. Hip carries are also good for this and more comfy than forward facing. My 1yo is in a connecta. Mostly on my front and parent facing for sometimes well over an hour at a time and I can carry her no issue. Carried my 99.6th centile toddler in a connecta on my back until he was nearly 2 and I only stopped because I was too pregnant to carry on and then he hasn't wanted to go up much since.

I am still happily carrying my two year old in a Connecta. I'd recommend going to a sling library and trying out a few to see what feels most comfortable.