Baby backpacks, do they have to be sitting up before you can use one?

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When I had ds I wasn't the walking type but now I am and would like to get a backpack for dd, who is 5 months old. Do they have to be sitting up before you can use one or is it based on weight or doesn't it matter? She isn't sitting up yet, although she's close to it and she's a big fat baby so although I've no idea what she weighs I'd say it's well over a stone. TIA to anyone who knows. I did look at the mumsnet review section but although most of them say from six months I couldn't work out why.

I think they have to be sitting but could be wrong.

www, we put ds1 into one at almost exactly this age - he was just about sitting at that stage. I don't think its so much about weight as about strength in their neck and upper body - will they feel comfortable in something that offers relatively little neck/head support.
ds2 is not nearly so close to sitting (he's 5 months today ) so I think hel'll be in a sling for a while yet - but he's a little dinkum anyway so no problem carrying him.

we bought a child carrier today - back pack type - and the instructions say they have to be sitting unaided
hth

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I would say they should, mainly because the backpacks are less supportive of a baby's body and head than either a sling or seat so they could easily end up quite slouched and get tired. If you do decide to get one now I'd limit how long you put her in it.

Thanks everyone, I can see I'm going to have to look into this a bit more and wait until she's sitting up, which I don't think'll be long. We took her to a pub garden instead today, we'll walk another day

You could wear him on your back right now, with a simple piece of cloth. You could go out to the fabric store and buy 5 meters of cloth. As a matter of fact, you probably already have something in your home that would work -- even a bed sheet will do. See www.Mamatoto.org.

She definately has to be sitting up. If not, she'd slouch in it which wouldn't do her back or internal organs any good at all.

When you do look for one take her with you & try on some to see which is most comfortable. Try walking shops rather than baby shops to get the most supportive & comfortable - both for you & your dd.

There was a thread on this not long ago, where people recommended various types. For me the Vaude, Macpac & Bushbaby ones are very good.