Taking four month old on country walks

[gillymin]

1Hi,
We'd like to start getting out in the countryside again and want to take our almost four month old with us. Can anyone recommend a carrier/rucksack type thing that they have used that was comfortable and that the child was happy with? She's not quite four months and does not quite have head control. We have a kari-me sling, but she doesn't much like it and I don't think it would hold up for a five/six hour walk. Any suggestions?
thanks!

I think rucksack back carriers require head control.

You could try an ergo baby carrier which are pricey but last until the kid is a toddler. You can change the position in which you carry little one too.

My friend has one and she says it's really comfy - weight is on the hips. She uses it for when travelling home, carrying her LO around airports etc instead of using a pushchair.

Am thinking of getting one too-you can get a newborn insert too. They also have great resale value on eBay.

we have always done a lot of walking with dcs and have been fine with a basic Mothercare front carrier (a bit like Baby Bjorn but more basic) then a Little Life backpack for when their head control's good enough, around 7 months.

we went hiking in the peak district with dd in the ergo carrier. she was comfy, I was comfy and it was easy to get around, climbing fences etc. we started using the ergo when she was 4 months old and still use it every day now shes 11m. dont really use the pushchair anymore...

The bigger rucksacks that will last you a couple of years tend to not have head supports. Have you thought about getting a basic forward facing carrier for the next month or so and then once head control has improved changing to a back pack - I think you'd give yourself more choice that way.

I have a big framed mothercare one. Fits both me and taller DH well. I'd recommend trying them on because some are more suited to tall people or short.

The frame and lots of pockets are great when you relatively light baby turns into a heafty toddler who's not up to the full route on a long hike.

Other frame advantages and the reason I went for the mothercare frame is that they can stand up to put the baby in/ rest the baby (the frame has a hinge out section to form an A frame standing support) when you take a rest. This means you can handle the pack on your own.

If you look at carriers on ebay there's a Hong Kong store that sells a carrier which is a copy of an ergo for 99p + about £17 postage. I have one and it's really comfortable. So similar to the ergo that I downloaded their instructions as it doesn't come with any. I've also heard that maitai carriers are good and you can get a simplifed version with clips but I can't remember what it's called - think it begins with a C.

I had a Close originally but it didn't work for me.