Baby carriers for baby and toddler

[SwimSwim]

Hi All,

I'm hoping for some suggestions and ideas for how to cope with transporting a newborn and toddler about, when I have 2 children on my own for the day. We have a new baby due in summer and with our first (DD(2)) we used a baby Bjorn one, moving to an osprey backpack,then littlelife lightest carrier as she grew. This is due to our love of the outdoors and hiking. We're at the stage now where I just carry the backpack with us when out walking and occasionally have to put DD in it when she gets tired (or just wants carried for a bit).

With a new baby due in summer, I'm just wondering how others manage? My plan was to have the new baby in the baby Bjorn on my front, and still have the backpack on in case DD needs a lift but I'm wondering if anyone has a better solution/combined carrier or ideas on how to best deal with this situation?!

I know we could use a buggy, but since DD could walk, we've not used it much as carrying her has always allowed us more freedom. Obviously DP can take one of them at weekends/holidays but I'm asking what people do or suggest for the midweek times when I'm off on maternity leave (also work part time) as I'm trying to avoid losing as much independence as possible.

Any ideas or suggestions are welcome! I know having 2 under 3 will be more limiting, I'm just hoping we can still get out little wanders without having to bring along a buggy. Thanks for reading! 😁

I’ve done a lot of tandem baby wearing - there’s 17 months between my kids!
I used to put the youngest in a stretchy wrap or Close Caboo on the front, and the toddler in a Tula on my back Much smaller and more portable than the backpack style carriers, and just as easy and comfortable to use

You could look at a Twingo, but if the older one only goes in it occasionally I think you'd be better off with Eggy's suggestion.

@mybreadiseggy thanks! I actually have a close caboo that I used when DD was tiny. It's the size of the backpack I'm wondering about so I'll have a look at the Tula too. I might actually be able to use the Baby Bjorn one on my back but it's quite a thick waistband and I'm not sure how manoeuvrable it is! Thanks though, you've made me feel like it's definitely possible and I'm not being ridiculous! 😁

@MoMandaS thanks, I'll have a look at that one too! It's the practicalities of getting DD onto my back from the ground I need to figure out too. Thank you!

There are lots of videos of how to do that on YouTube, but I used to loosen the waistband, swivel it round so the panel of the carrier was on my hip, sit child on hip above it, then supporting them with one hand, thread my arm through one arm strap, then the other (leaning slightly to take weight of child), then swivel it round to my back while supporting child under their bum before fastening the chest strap and tightening everything up. Takes a bit of practice but you soon get the hang of it!

I found that I had to clip the Tula waistband around me first, then put the caboo over my head. Get the baby into the caboo securely, and then get the toddler up onto my back and clip the little chest clip above the baby’s head. A bit of a faff, but once they are up there it’s fine

Thank you both, I've had a look on YouTube and can see how it's possible. I think given DD would only be in it occasionally, the Tula is probably the better option as then it's a separate carrier to get her into with the baby secure on the front. It's definitely a lot let cumbersome than the Littlelife carrier too, so I think I'll get one to get the hang of now. Thank you very much for your advice and again for making me feel this will be possible. I'm so glad I don't need to succumb to the buggy just yet!

That's good. One less thing for you to worry about. Congratulations on your pregnancy, by the way!