suggestions for a novice with a big 4m old

[Pingpong]

I've never tried a sling before but don't think there are any slingmeets near me
I used a friends baby carrier (on my front) for DD1 which worked well 'til she was 7 months or so and then we got a second hand bushbaby which was great until I was pregnant with DD2.
For DD2 I bought on ebay a Tomy front carrier which was fine initally. I used it in the early days and then again about 6 weeks ago and it was fine but last week it was a nightmare - like an instrument of torture for both of us. She is too big for it now but doesn't have enough head control for the bushbaby back carrier. She weighed 11lb 1oz at birth and at 17weeks (when she was last weighed was 18lb 12oz) The Tomy carrier I have says weight limit is 19lb 12 but she is just too big for it
I am now looking for something that will do us until she is ready for the bushbaby (and possibly for holidays or when we don't have space for the bushbaby).
My requirements:

• mostly to be used for when we are dog walking so 30mins - 1 hour use at a time.
• preferably suitable for me and DH (although I'll use it more I would imagine)
• I don't like the look of the slings with large swathes of fabric as I imagine I would get very hot and sweaty.
• something easy to adjust and supportive
• something I can put on myself

Any suggestions? oh I don't want to spend too much on it either!

I would probably go for a Mei Tai- we have a BabyHawk which is comfortable, easy to use and comes in loads of patterns.
I can still carry my 2.7 year old DS on my back with no problems, so you should get loads of use out of it.

I have a very heavy 24 weeks (more than 20lbs), and just found the Ergobag very good. www.ergobabycarrier.com/
It is a combination between a sling and a back pack, and I live in a warm country and it is not too hot (up to 30Cs though, it is 40C at the mo and it is hot, but everything is!) Easier too put on and off than a mei tai which was my second choice.
Also I got a second hand one which had already done 3 children and it is still in good condition.
Good for the back, and position the baby around the navel which is good for weight repartition.

Hi Smac

I'm a big fan of my ergo - the friend who recommended it is happily carrying her son who's over 20lbs (at 5 months, the wee bruiser ) and she's far more petite than I am. It was watching her carry her baby so comfortably that got me interested. I find it very comfy and easy to put on (once you master the back strap!) and DS is happy to sleep in it, or look around as the mood takes him. I've only carried him on my front (and he can only face my chest, but it doesn't bother him as he swivels his head around easily), as he's still a bit young for the back I think (he's 18 weeks). But I genuinely think I'll be slinging him in this for many months, even years, to come so am looking forward to trying the back and hip carrying positions.

xx

thanks ladies
I'm looking at an ergo, a patapum and a mei tei on ebay right now.
One question for the patapum and ergo - it looks as if there is a chest strap which is fine when they are on your back, you can do it up easily across your chest but what happens if you are doing a front carry. Do you just not use the chest strap? I can't see how I could reach round my back to fasten it IYKWIM.

I know the bushbaby is really bulky but what I like best about it is that it is so safe to get the baby in unassisted as it sits upright itself and you pop the baby in then swing it up on your arms.
I worry about how I'm going to get the baby into the back carry myself. I read somewhere it's good to sit on a bed and do it but that only works when you are at home.
I usually jump in the car to get to the place where I walk the dog so I would need to be able to get the baby in safely in a gravel parking area.
I'm not sure about all the straps on the mei tei, I think I prefer clips. I am I right in thinking that a Connecta is a buckle version of a mei tei?
A friend has lent me a catbirdbaby (pikkolo) sling which I think is like a Connecta (mei tei style but with clips). I got the hip carry right one time but next time got myself in a right tangle!
Ah decisions decisions!

Smac I receommend the connecta www.connectababycarrier.com/. I have the connecta integra. it is cool for the summer and verrrry comfortable. Plus a little bit cheaper than the ergo (I think) and you don't have to faff with tying it like the normal mei tais.

I'm still a bit undecided!
I've got a bid on a connecta but I think an ergo, patapum or connecta would suit me and the big baby.
I use ebay quite a bit so I suppose I'll try one and if it doesn't work, sell it and try again. They also seem to have good resale value.
Thanks for your suggestions and guidance.

thanks loopy I'll go and have a look. I did look on the for sale board here but didn't see anything I fancied but I'll keep scanning it just in case.
I was surprised how many were on ebay TBH.

dd is a heavy 7 months old (over 9 kg) and I use the ergo all the time. best investment of money imo. I have only just started carrying her on my back on occasions but I like having her on the front beeing able to kiss her and talk to her.
I use it for short walks and for getting her and the shopping up to our flat on the third floor. also for travelling it*s great, on most airports you only get the pushchair back with the luggage and carrying your child + handluggage for well over an hour is nearly impossible...

I tried a sling from www.petitpoppet.co.uk when I wasn't sure which was brill because the money gets donated to SANDS. They have Connectas. They also sell off ex-loan carriers but don't advertise this so might be worth emailing them if you have no luck on ebay.

If your ebay one didn't work out you might want to look at NaturalMamas as well

I didn't get the one on ebay. I did contact www.petitpoppet.co.uk but their sling hire is for 5 days and whilst I think the donation to SANDS is great I felt I needed more than 5 days to get to grips with it. I completed their form (petitpoppet) and they suggested Connecta or a Yamo. I googled Yamo and realised that slingjax do a hire of Yamo so I've gone for that as you get to try it for a fortnight. I'm heading off on holiday on Sunday so would need something to take with me and hopefully if I get on with it then I can order one or keep my eyes peeled for a 2nd hand one.
I tried it out just around the house this morning and it felt really supportive.
I've joined the yahoo group as well so I'll see if anything suitable comes up on that.
I'll have a look at Natural Mama as well thanks tangle.
Ergos are expensive aren't they! Even on ebay they are going for a fair bit!