Sling for a older toddlers 2yrs upto 4yrs????

[hairycaterpillar]

DS2 in buggy DS1 is 4 and DD is 2...thinking about getting a man friendly sling for DH to use when out for walks and DS1 or DD suffers from tired legs.Have got a Macpac which is great but too bulky to cart around all the time especially when also have buggy for DS2.

Would need to be...

fairly cheap
compact
easy and quick to use
not ruin his street cred

my dh sometimes uses the ergo for my dd1 who's three. It's not that cheap, but the resale value on ebay is probably good.

What about one of those hip sits which you strap round your waist and the toddler sits on it? I don't know what they're called.

I've also used a ring sling (bb sling)for dd1, but maybe it's a bit 'girly'for your dh!

ring sling been classed as a bit girly/hippy!

we saw one today that a guy was wearing on his back so the toddler was kind of in a piggy back position...any ideas?

any websites I can look at ergo or other suggestions would be good I'm a bit of a sling novice.

it might have been the ergo you saw.here's the link:
www.ergobabycarrier.com/

it is light weight, easy to use for a toddler as they hold on to your shoulders and co operate, folds down really easily.

oooh, I really really want an ergo...they look great...but not cheap!

but have a freedom ring sling that i've not really used so can't justify it at all (you're welcome to borrow)

think you should just go for it and buy a P&T like you know you want to!

ergos aren't cheap, but they sell quite well second hand. My one has been used daily for the past year and is still in perfect condition.

what's a p&t?

Phil and ted (pushchair)

I happen to know HC wants one!

What about a wrap or a mei tai? Certainly don't think the mai tai could be considered girly could it?

Look here and here

The second one has pics of men using mei tais! I don't really know where the best mei tais are, I just want one to add to my sling collection!

oh a pushchair - have to admit those double phil & ted ones do look good and comfortable- but I would be scared of it being stolen.

my dh can put either one of our dds into the ergo all by himself

have to admit, it was tricky to use when dd2 was a baby, but now she is bigger (20 months), it's very easy; even easier with dd1 (three years), but she's heavy so I don't like carrying her.

oh yes people do look at me in surprise when I put dd2 on my back - even had a couple of people rush over to help thinking that I am going to drop her - in fact it's really annoying when they do that, puts me off totally!

I use a ring sling for my 2.4 yo. I couldn't master the ergo, but the ring sling is fine. It is plain black, so not at all girly.

Thanks everyone.

I like the wraps but I think DH would find it too tricky to use especially if out on own...so wouldnt use it.

Tassis - have you tried carrying your DS in your ring sling? I think my chunky DD probably weighs the same (maybe more ). Maybe my DH could try it sometime...although I did descride it to him and he didnt seem convinced!

Think it must have been an ergo we saw today...might look at ebay and see what they are going for...cheaper than a p&t I'm sure!

pollyanna - what did you find tricky about the ergo? From brief look at website it seemed like an easy throw on your back option.

A hippychick hipseat?

Just shown DH options suggested so far and he reckons putting DS or DD on his shoulders is the cheapest option....hummpphhh here I am trying to help!

(although did go ooooooh at the picture on the ergo website of a woman in an ergo on mans back!)

hippychick hipseat - did wonder about that but doesnt leave him hands free, which is really what I want!

Where is the cheapest place to buy an ergo?