connecta or patapum...??

[flootshoot]

Right....

DS is 18 months and was 28lbs when I weighed him this weekend. I want to get a back carrier for him because he's walking quite well and starting to refuse the buggy. I thought it would be useful to have something I could take out with me for when he gets tired. I'm also 8 weeks pg and although it sounds a bit cockeyed, I think this will be better than carrying his buggy up and down our stairs!!

The thing is, ideally I want something I can use for the new baby too. I have a wrap for the first few weeks, but I want to have the flexibility of using this carrier too. I like the look of the soft structured carriers as I think the wide waist belt would be supportive during pregnancy and afterwards when I'm likely to recovering from a c-section.

so -
connecta - suitable from birth, but only goes up to 35lbs so might not last DS very long (no idea how long a toddler would take to gain half a stone.....?).

patapum - better for DS as it goes up to 40lbs, but won't be ok for new baby until 5 months old.

Is there something that does both?? and doesn't cost an absolute fortune?? The pikkolo seems good, but £85???!

advice would be gratefully received!

Thanks.

First off, neither the Connecta nor the Pikkolo have a padded waist belt, just webbing, so you may want to have another look.

I recently bought an Action Baby Carrier (£42 - bargain) but I don;t think anyone in the UK has stock any more. However, my comparison shopping also threw up the Sleepy Nico and the Angelpack as well-priced alternatives, also Rose & Rebellion.
The absolute best one I've tried is the Manduca - it has a zip gusset to shrink it instantly from toddler to newborn size - but it is pricey.

I have heard that the sleep hood on the Patapum isnt; so good for back carries as if it comes unpoppered there is no way to get it back on.

Have you a slingmeet near you? go and pick their brains and hire a few to try.

I had a look at the manduca but it is very expensive! I'll have to have a look into slingmeets I think.

I thought the connecta and patapum had wide unpadded wasit belts?? Better have another look...