Child carriers

[Tissy]

Does anyone have one of those backpacks for putting a child in? We used to be keen hillwalkers pre-dd, and I feel the need to get some exercise and get rid of some excess blubber. What could be more effective than tramping up a hill with a 20lb baby on your back?

Any recommendations? We are both quite short- me 5'2", dh 5'6".

Thanks

Hi Tissy, there have been threads on this in the past - top recommendations seem to be the Bushbaby (which we have and would recommend, though it is expensive) and the Macpac. Mind if dd is already 20lb you will need to be pretty fit to carry her any distance...or am I just a wimp?

We've taken ds up Skiddaw in ours but even dh is now objecting to his weight (he's 18 months but quite small for his age, no idea what he weighs now but he didn't hit 20lb till about 13 months)

Its a good idea to try before you buy - John Lewis stock the bushbaby, I think larger outdoor shops might have MacPacs.

Happy hunting!

I have the Karrimor one which is great too. I've used that on a 25+ lb kid

We've got a Karrimor version too, no problems despite both of us being prone to back trouble. Current occupant weighs 28lbs so it's hard work but not causing injury. We thought it seemed closest to a traditional rucksack construction of the carriers on the market. Karrimor make more than one version so there could be something to suit you. We got it from Milletts.

We've just bought a "cruiser" framed back carrier from Elite (designed by a New Zealand mountaineer apparently). ds is 24 lbs (at 8.5 mths!) and dh said it was v comfy. He's 5'7'' by the way. It's got loads of storage for baby bits too.
The other one we considered was one of the littlelife carriers - littletrekkers.co.uk stock them.

We 've got a Vaude Jolly (?) and have used it a lot with ds, until he was about 2.5 (still quite light but probably about 30lbs) and now dd who is 21 months but probably still only 20lbs! Has a pocket to carry essentials and mesh side pockets for drinks/bottles. The baby seat is padded and adjusts easily and there are 3 settings for the frame (need to use a spanner) making it comfy for even me (about 5' 3" ) although I never carried ds very far.

Do now regret not buying the optional sunshade/raincover as dd is dreadful at keeping a sun hat on and we now do quite a bit of alpine walking.

I've got a kelty kids elite which is excellent - brought in the US but available in UK as well I think. Can get sun /rain cover and bags to hang underneath. Can do some changes for height, but can't remember by how much. I'm 5'6".

I just bought this french thing from tinyhappypeople and I LOVE it. It's frameless, and is a bit like a babybjorn but for your back. I just take it everywhere and if my ds wants to take a nap in the buggy, I put dd on my back. It says that it's good from when they can sit up unaided (no head support) to 3 years old. My dd is 8 mo. and absolutely loves it. She starts flapping her arms wildly when I pull it out and practically throws herself into it. I've just been for a week by the seaside in Italy and it was perfect for the climb up and down from the apartment to the beach. And it was cheap. It does take a few go's to get used to having the floppy weight (dd is 8 kg) on your back.

Another vote for the Bushbaby. I am 5'3", he is 6', babe is 30 lbs. She loves it. Good if you don't have wide shoulders. On the more expensive end of the market, but worth it!

Tissy,
I posted this in April.....
just to let mumsnetters know,
www.kiddicare.com have the lite version of the fantastic bushbaby carrier on their website for £59.99, rrp usually £90.00
Great excuse to get out and about in the spring sunshine !!!

PS I don't work for Kiddicare, just want to share a bargain....

I bought one and it is v comfy DD is also about 20lb and she loves it. Would advise on buying sun/rain shade too though.