Best sling/carrier for 8 month old

[HolidaysQueen]

My DS is often upset when in his buggy as he seems to really miss the closeness to me, and to be honest I miss being able to talk with him. It means I'm always a bit nervous about taking him out and about except when he's asleep as it gets quite stressful.

DH and I don't really want to spend hundreds of pounds on a rear facing buggy so were wondering about getting a carrier for him instead as that would be cheaper but provide the same solution really. He enjoys being in the framed back carrier when we are out walking, but that is a bit impractical for day to day use and I really want something that I can use to carry him on my chest so I can hold his hand etc. if he gets upset.

Any suggestions on which would be best? If it helps he is a tall, slim boy and is light for his age. We're hoping to have more DCs in the future so if it is also ideal for newborns then that would be great.

btw my ds4 is ike yours in a buggy and yes, sling / seat works

i'd go for an ergo. the mei tei is great while they're small but as they get nearer 1 the straps are less comfy whereas the ergo is so well padded - i got one when dd was one to replace my babyhawk and it was like i was carrying air suddenly.

I've got a boring old Baby Bjorn which I put DS in a couple of days ago. He is 18lb, was in it for 20 mins. 48 hours later, I am still hobbling around in agony, and make the Hunchback of Notre Dame look like Darcy Bussell.
I'd like to use a sling more, for the same reasons as HQ.
Will a Mei Tai be any better do you think?

shoofly you probably need to think about a back carry and again i don't find the mei tei comfy for that so again would recommend the ergo. but the thing about slings is they're like shoes - each to their own. so the other thing is to go to a sling meet and try a few on.

I still use a Wilkinet with 23mos Dd. She is a little tall for it now, but I love it.

Dibbler How much are you asking for your toddlerhawk? I am trying to find one second hand as my daughter is already 18 months. I need a sling for air travel so that I don't have to drag a buggy with me!

Thanks ALT, posted before I saw your Ergo recommendation. Carrying air sounds like heaven! D'you mind me asking how heavy your DD is roughly?
Will check out a sling meet too, hadn't heard of those.

(I have to take a flight with FIL in 2 days and HE has crocked his back too. We are going to look rideeeculous! DS will be carrying the bags at this rate......)

Ergo is nice, stylish and comfy.I have the organic one in green.

shoofly my dd is now about 24lbs - i still sometimes carry her on the front but it's a strain - the back is fine tho. not quite air any more but v comfy!

Lurcio - 45 pounds, delivered. It is actually brand new as it was a custom that they did wrong (mine is sapphire opulence on the reverse)and they wouldn't take back

Shoofly - a MT or soft structured carrier such as the Ergo or Connecta will be much better than the BB - they are held against you and much higher for a start. As I've said above, I've used both and prefer a Mei Tai, but its worth trying them. As you are in London, there's loads of Slingmeets to get to - see here

Dibbler, I would be really interested- do you have cat?

I do, and I've done an ad in the For Sale/Wanted with pictures

Gosh, I disappear for a couple of days and come back to find all this advice!!! Thank you I'll read through properly and may be back with some questions

Another vote for the ergo here.

Patapum

I want a conneta too! My friend has one and they look ace.

Didymos! I can hip, back and front carry my enormous 13 month old. It is a bit of a learning curve learning to tie it but I can get DD into it faster than a push chair these days. Have a chat with Big Mama slings, they are incredibly helpful and will carefully go through all the pros and cons with you. Because of them I am a sling obsessive and rarely use the push chair. In fact we are doing up a house at the mo and I stripped all the wallpaper off a room with the monster dozing on my back!

Ei Tai.
I love mine, DS loves it and the weight distribution is great.

That would be a Mei Tai.

I tried an NCT friend's ergo today and it was a revelation - so much comfier than the BB and my DS seemed really happy in it I liked the fact that he was sat rather than dangling from the crotch. I think it will be going on my Christmas list

Question: how do you manage nappy bag and shopping when wearing a sling? Rucksack? I want it so that I can get out and about on the tube and bus a bit easier with DS as I'm sick of dragging a buggy up and down stairs or having to fold it while holding onto him, but buggies do at least mean you can hang all your stuff on it

I have an Ergo and adore it. HolidaysQueen; I have a funky messenger style back with quite a long strap so it goes over the sling and sits underneath it at my hip, works very well, with a rucksack I just felt like a bit of a packhorse. I recently posted a 10% discount code for www.baby-bean.com and someone on here used to get an Ergo, can't be certain it'll still work, but worth a try if you're looking to get one. Will have a look and see if I can find the thread, as have deleted the email now.

Here's the thread, the code is SMILE at baby-bean.com

"By omgidbi on Thu 04-Dec-08 18:42:29
I have an Ergo and adore it. HolidaysQueen; I have a funky messenger style back with quite a long strap so it goes over the sling and sits underneath it at my hip, works very well, with a rucksack I just felt like a bit of a packhorse. I recently posted a 10% discount code for www.baby-bean.com and someone on here used to get an Ergo, can't be certain it'll still work, but worth a try if you're looking to get one. Will have a look and see if I can find the thread, as have deleted the email now. "
LOL That was MMMMEEEEE!!!!!!!
Here's my tuppenceworth - BB are only good as a 'starter' carrier IMO. I wouldn't knock them though as they're so easy to use and get so many people into carrying their LOs.
Stretchy wraps are only good up to 4 or 5 mths.
Wovens, mei tais and SSCs are what you really want for an 8mth old. I use all 3 types and love them all. The easiest to use is the SSC (I have an ergo and it's great but I really fancy a connecta too). It's quite rucksacky so if you want something pretty then it might not be for you. If I'm in a 'pretty carrier' mood, I use a beautiful mei tai. If I'm carrying for a long time it's the didymos as it's the comfiest but takes a while to learn. For quickness and easiness the ergo.
If I could only have one, it would prob be the mei tai but any of them would do.
Sling meet is a great idea (wish I had one near me).
Let us know what you do!

skim read the thread but I have two SSCs - Yamo and an Angel pack. The Yamo is better. I carry 17mth ds in it, he is 2 stone. So much easier than a pushchair - it is utterly fab.

Would highly recommend, I had a bbjorn - rubbish in comparsion, and a didymos, as I am 5 foot I just felt overwhelmed by the material.

changing bag: I use a tiny rucksac and put the bare essentials in it. 3x nappies, wipes, finger food, milk and lunch, purse and phone. It's a bit trickier when it's colder but in summer it's a breeze.