will a sling fit the bill for my holiday?

[Marvin]

We're doing a complicated trip this summer with our three young chilren. We'll take a buggy for the 20month, but it would be useful (in airports etc) to be able to put one of the older little ones in it, and carry the baby. So I was wondering whether a fabric sling would help us. Can I get one which will help me carry a 20mo on my hip in a hands-free sort of way (if it could also support the 3.5yr old if needed that would be great!)? will be easy to put on? will tuck away really small into my rucksack into which I will have squeezed everything three children may want in the next 14 hours as we cross the world?
there seems to be too many options when I google for me to figure out whether I can get something that does what I want.

Have seen a hip panda recommended several times on here but only from the US - the Ellaroo Hip carrier is similar.
I haven't had a good experience with a ring sling but it does fit the bill - folds down fine, should carry both kids for short periods. And fine for both sexes which is useful. I got a freedom sling, have heard they're not great from others on here but a different brand might be just fine - plenty of people on here like them.

BabyDragon is 2 and fits nicely in her Coorie in a hip carry.

I didn't think to recommend a pouch, SoupDragon, I stopped using mine a month ago as ds2 is far too massive in it but maybe the coorie has that added stretch?

Yes, the Coorie is a stretchy fleece. A stretch Kimmer may be more appropriate if it's going to be hot though. BabyDragon's in it every morning for the school run and i'll be sorry when she's not in it any more .

The only thing I'd caution is that if you haven't used a sling in a while you might find a 20 month old quite heavy in it.

You could get a second hand narrow twin buggy.

It would depend how long you're carrying them I guess. If it's for short trips between transport it should be fine.

I think a hip panda would be OK, but does it need to be a hip carrier? I would rather carry a 20 mo on my back myself.

The hip panda will fold down really quite small (it goes in my rucksack along with just about everything else)

ooh - quick, thanks.
was just looking at the coorie pouch and wondering whether the gorgeous fleece would be too hot (USA), would be mostly in airports, I think, though. Where can I find the Kimmer details? Is babydragon well supported without you holding around her?
Is a pouch sling smaller to pack than a ring sling? in the photos the ring slings look like a lot of fabric, and I need something simple.
I've not used a sling before, but am used to carrying the children rather more than most people. The 20mo is heavyish (a bit of a brute), but the 3.5yo is not actually much heavier (he's a skinny little thing)! I want to be able to carry plus push buggy / hold passport / wait to get buggy from baggage reclaim / get them all back to base after a busy day exploring etc. Not huge distances / lengthy times, just to get about and manage the kids more easily.
Don't really want to be taking a twin buggy.

I tend to have one arm round her but she can be "hands free" (but I wouldn't bend over!).The Kimmer is on the brightsparksslings site

bargainous lightweigth cotton pouch

I would only use a pouch which is made from a stretchy fabric. I have a plain cotton one (a Peerie from Brightsparksslings) and it's nowhere near as good/comfortable.

Soupie - can you explain how your toddler sits in the sling? if their bottom is down in the fold of the fabric, aren't their knees bent up towards their armpits? does the edge of the fabric cut into the backs of their legs?

I love the look of the coorie fleece, but think the Kimmer will be not as hot!

like this pretty much.

The fabric doesn't dig in although I can't really say as I've never sat in it ). The Kimmer has a padded edge to it though.

hmm ... think this looks yummy and reasonably comfortable. Might call bright sparks in the morning as the Kimmers seem to have several fabric types. Thank you.

I'd get one of the stretch ones. The stretchiness really does make a difference wrt comfort and ease of use IME

So presumably the stripe, sand and thistle ones are NOT stretchy, and the navy, sage and wine ones are?

That's my assumption, yes.