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Original poster

Which back carrier do people recommend?

39 replies

CheerfulSoul · 22/03/2009 20:18

We want to get a baby back carrier - looked in the Mothercare catalogue which currently has 5 options - two own brand and three from Littlelife. I like the look of the Mothercare premium back carrier which has a really good sun canopy but the baby looks quite low down compared to the others. Has anyone bought one of the five to make comments on or bought an alternative one that they are happy with? Apart from Mothercare what are the other shops to buy one from?

OP posts:

Astrophe · 23/03/2009 10:12

nannynick - maybe in 'days out'? Or in the MNlocal section for your area?

My DH gives shoulder rides to our 3 and 4 year olds - but for a longer walk he difinately prefers the LL, even for DS now, age 3. I'm sure you will continue to love yours

mawbroon · 23/03/2009 10:13

Probably mumsnet local nannynick.

I don't remember being carried on shoulders when I was wee, but ds loves it.

I'm not strong enough to do it though, even though I can carry him in the ergo. I feel like my spine is being squished something terrible, and I don't like the feel of ds's farts on my shoulders.

SweetApril · 23/03/2009 10:24

I would just say try before you buy if at all possible. Trying them out with a shop assistant who knows how to adjust them to fit properly makes a huge difference. Still, DP and I never found one that was comfortable for both of us plus we discovered in the process that DD absolutely hated being on our backs for some reason. John Lewis usually have a few in store plus we went to several outdoor shops like Blacks and smaller independents.

Mummyfor3 · 23/03/2009 10:55

I found a local Slingmeet v useful to try out different carriers. Also friends allowed me to try their slings and babies/toddlers of varying weights and sizes .

Yes, I would second try before you buy. And stay clear of Mothercare, there are FAR better products out there.

omgidbi · 24/03/2009 12:01

I love my Ergo, absolutely adore it. Mine is from Baby Bean which now looks like the cheapest source as Free Range Kids have gone up from £72 to £99.99!

Concordia · 24/03/2009 22:10

does anyone find that their 3year old likes being carried for long periods? i have had a look at the ergos and see that they look good but DS is now 2y9m and perhaps he would get fed up being carried around, even if he was walking for bits inbetween? We used to do walks with him when he was smaller, 5-6 miles 2-3 hours ish - but have had to stop now we can't carry him. 2 miles is kind of his limit and he never goes in a straight line IYKWIM

omgidbi · 24/03/2009 22:16

I'm still using my Ergo with DD2 who is nearly three, I do long walks and she'll be happily carried for a couple of hours, longer if she falls asleep. DD1 was carried for the home stretch in the Ergo when she got tired on a big walk until quite recently, now at 5 she can manage 6 miles with only brief piggybacks.

Flibbertyjibbet · 24/03/2009 22:42

I have a Karrimor delux back carrier. We did have a little life, or maybe it was a Vango... for a while when we doubled up with 2 under 2s, but kept the Karrimor when we only needed one again.
From the types I've seen and tried, its the only one where the child actually sits in a seat as he is carried. All the others seem to have the childs legs sort of dangling and all their weight on the crotch. With the Karrimor they can sit a bit back from your back so they seem more comfortable to look round. Also because its a seat they can stay in it if you stop for a rest/picnic as the back part of the frame opens out for when you are putting them in and out. Under the seat bit is a large storage compartment. The frame is adjustable so me 5'2" and dp 6'1" could both use it comfortably.
We used it from as soon as they could sit up until they got too heavy, it should do up to 3 years old but our boys are big so were out of it at 2. However dp still takes it with him sometimes just as a rucksack and if ds2 gets tired he can have a ride for a bit.

I was going to put mine on ebay in the next couple of weeks, if you are interested can email you pics and let you have it for a good price. Its done two children but is still in excellent condition!

mawbroon · 24/03/2009 22:56

Flibberty, the ergo has their legs froggy style, not hanging by the crotch. Their weight seems to be leaning into the wearers lower back and hips rather than being taken by the child's legs/crotch IYSWIM. My ds is getting so tall, he can see over my shoulder in the ergo!

I had to give up on my framed carrier when ds was almost 12 months. I got an ergo almost a year later. I wish I had got it right from the start, and I never dreamt I would still be able to carry ds in it at 3.5yo and 36lbs!! I found that he sat too high and too far away from my body in the framed carrier and I ended up having to go to the chiropractor. I had no back problems once I stopped using it though.

FlappyTheBat · 24/03/2009 23:10

We've got a MacPac Vamoose, I can't use it but dh says it's comfy to use and has several storage areas which hold a lot of stuff.

Dc's have always looked very secure and comfortable in it too.

Have been using it for several years and standing up to fairly regular use well.

techie42 · 12/06/2009 21:12

I bought the Mothercare Premium Back Carrier a few days ago, and I'm returning it this weekend.

I've just completed a very short walk with it (around an hour), and it is sooooo uncomfortable!

The waist strap has lots of padding, but the frame sticks out below the waist strap, digging into my kidneys / waist.

I can see that in the long term, I would either become very sore, or holes would appear in my clothes!

It's a shame as my little girl loved it, and it was very comfortable for her. Looks like I'll be searching the 'Net this weekend for a better one.

BikeRunSki · 14/06/2009 21:26

MacPac Possum.

DH used to work in an outdoor gear shop, and they sold these by the boatload. Mainly to walkers whose "inferior" back carriers had broken or were not comfortable (for chidl or parent). Been using one now for about 4 months with DS and it is well worth the money. It is very easy to carry, very easy to put on, has plenty of storage space, DS likes it (and will sleep in it) and very comfy for both of us. I have also carried 4 year old niece in it.

That was a few years ago. From what I have seen, the Little Life ones are very similar.

BikeRunSki · 14/06/2009 21:36

I think the MacPac Possum and MacPac Vamoose are essentially the same, but the Vamoose has more storage space (the Possum has plenty though).
At this time of year make sure you get a sunshade for it! The MacPac one is called the Sombrero.

MacPac carriers

The Bush Baby carriers are similar too.

I would deinitely try before you buy! An advantage of the MacPacs is that they have an adjustable back - handy when DH is much taller than you!

newlark · 14/06/2009 21:38

I love my patapum - its the toddler version so goes higher up the childs back than an ergo - I've carried my 2.5yr old in it quite happily as well as my 8 mth old. They do have the major advantage over the framed carriers that they stuff in a bag when not in use and although I have only tried a framed carrier briefly i think the patapum is more comfortable. Also much cheaper than an ergo or a framed carrier

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