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Original poster

Right then... Back Carriers. Who knows anything about them? please.

29 replies

NappiesGalore · 12/11/2006 14:54

have decided this is what i need.

am so over pushchairs

no, seriously, am looking for a back carrier and only want ot buy one so want to get the right one. (instead of the 65 prams i bought and now need to find new homes for )

i want it to be comfy and easy to use etc
-have heard you can get ones that stand when off, so can get on/off when alone (and also put down without getting him out)
-have some idea that theres one which can be used as a pushchair too?? philandteds maybe? anyone used one?

OP posts:
Original poster
NappiesGalore · 12/11/2006 14:55

also, what other 'features' should i be looking for?

OP posts:
TooTickyTheLittleRedHen · 12/11/2006 14:56

Ihad a framed back carrier once and really struggled with it. I'm just about to get an Ergo....

TooTickyTheLittleRedHen · 12/11/2006 14:56

Youcan get back carriers with wheels and a handle so you can use them a bit like a pushchair too.

Original poster
NappiesGalore · 12/11/2006 15:03

do you think the ergo will be better on your back than a framed one? i would have thought framed was much better weight distribution... ?

the ones with wheels - thought that might even mean could get rid of all the pushchairs... but are they any good, comfort-wise primarily, and other features also (not that i know what im looking for yet)

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TooTickyTheLittleRedHen · 12/11/2006 15:09

Fillyjonk has been evangelising about the Ergo. It does have a very good reputation. I thinkmostof the weight goes on your hips. The framed one really was all wrong for me, but I'm not sure why. I haven't tried a wheeled one. I think there was one on ebay recently.

Spidermama · 12/11/2006 15:10

I loved carrying mine in the backpack and I carried the first three until they were at least three years old. I've never been able to carry number four in it as he's exceptionally large and I'm old and frail now.

I found the best back pack, by a very long way, in fact the only one which was comfy, was the Vaude Jolie. It's a bit pricey but you can have mine if you like. It's very battered now but mechanically sound. The paint is all chipped on the metal frame and the canvas needs a wash.

Otherwise you can often pick them up cheaply on ebay. I found even the Karimore (sp) was really top heavy and painful on my back.

You need to go into a good camping shop with your baby and try them all. Don't be scared to walk around the shop for a long time getting it right because it's so worth it.

I found the back pack very empowering because you can nip on and off buses, go upstairs, in and out of small spaces, without the disabling pushchair factor.

Spidermama · 12/11/2006 15:11

The only slight drawback of mine is that it's not very stable if using it as a seat. Some are much better in that way. But for me the most important feature is comfort.

TooTickyTheLittleRedHen · 12/11/2006 15:12

this is a bulky looking version

TooTickyTheLittleRedHen · 12/11/2006 15:14

this is the sort I have seen before

Original poster
NappiesGalore · 12/11/2006 15:25

ooh, interesting.

i might well take yours spidermama, if it worked for you its worth a try... then if i dont like it i havnt spent a fortune...

and the mothercare link (the bulky one) looks v interesting... wonder what its like to carry? looks great as a p/c but comfort when carrying is of major importance to me too!

OP posts:
Original poster
NappiesGalore · 12/11/2006 15:36

should i CAT you spidermama, to discuss money and whatnot?

am currently searching internet...

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bensmum3 · 12/11/2006 23:00

Depends how far and where you want to go, I had a bushbaby framed carrier and an ergo, and found the ergo a lot more comfortable to carry, its not got the initial weight of a framed carrier and ds used to snuggle right in. It took a bit of practice to get him in and out to start with, but I was still able to walk over the hills with him at 2 yrs + and be comfy, whereas with the bushbaby my back would ache after a short distance. The advantage of the bushbaby was it had a raincover and sunshade.

Original poster
NappiesGalore · 13/11/2006 10:49

hmmm.... ergo looks more interesting by the minute

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amazonianwoman · 13/11/2006 11:40

I have a Littlelife framed carrier (around £90 John Lewis) which I thought was OK til I bought an Ergo, which is the business

Haven't carried DD since she was 2 cos I'm pg, but found the framed one really uncomfortable & heavy after less than an hour (and I'm 5ft9 and strong!), whereas she felt weightless in the Ergo, and she loved being right up close in the Ergo.

You also don't look such a prat if you're just walking eg to the park with an Ergo on your back, with the Littlelife I looked like I was venturing up the Alps

Why not hire one 1st to see if you like it from here ?

twickersmum · 13/11/2006 12:45

i've never heard of an ergo... where do you get them? can someone send me a link?

Original poster
NappiesGalore · 13/11/2006 13:13

twickers - they are reviewed on here on the 'find the best' pages. theres links there to places to buy. ot you can try ebay for secondhand.

amazonian - thanks for the input. have to admit ive never really considered them coz they didnt easthetically appeal but have been on a few walks recently where i wished i had one. and call me old, but comfort really is my top priority nowadays!

thanks for the link - didnt work btw, but i did think of bigmamaslings this morning. will investigate.

OP posts:
amazonianwoman · 13/11/2006 14:43

Whoops, here's the link again bigmamaslings ergo hire

Original poster
NappiesGalore · 13/11/2006 15:45

thanks - have hired 3 kinds from them - the ergo and two diff patapum ones.

have you seen the coats?? i love them!!

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Original poster
NappiesGalore · 13/11/2006 15:46

its a lovely site, bigmamaslings. theyve gotten much bigger and more polished in the time since i was there last (about a year or two i guess)

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KathyMCMLXXII · 13/11/2006 15:54

We have a Little Life and use it all the time - it's great for serious walking. No wheels or handle though. When we take her on the bus in it we tend not to get her out but you would need to hold onto it to steady it as it's not designed to stand up on its own.
The good thing about it is that it has lots of storage space so you can carry a lot of stuff as well as the toddler, also that it has a fantastically effective rain cover - you can be out all day in the rain and your child will stay dry. It's also very comfortable for the child - I know children that are happy to stay in them all day.

However it is really a serious bit of walking kit so if you're not planning to use it outdoors much a smaller one may well be a better bet.

Original poster
NappiesGalore · 13/11/2006 19:00

thanks. think ive dropped the idea of wheels anyway. jack of all trades and all that...

besides, have you seen the coats that ERGO make?? i want one!

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puppydavies · 13/11/2006 21:23

the ergo coats are hideous. the other ones that bigmama sells are the nicest i've seen and not unreasonable for cashmere.

but yeah get an ergo, they rock

Original poster
NappiesGalore · 13/11/2006 22:05

LOL

the pic of the other one didnt give much away, but agree they sounded nicer. havnt had time to scour net for more pics...

i have odd taste tho anyway

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MrsApron · 13/11/2006 22:26

ergo ergo ergo all the way!

i have a mamcoat

sadly i do not have an eclectic selection of headwear like the woman in the pics though....

TooTickyTheLittleRedHen · 13/11/2006 22:44

Yorkiegirl has an Ergo for sale - she mentioned it on another thread just a couple of days ago

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