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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

Original poster

Which sling to carry 18mo toddler on back?

60 replies

ThePetiteMummy · 02/10/2011 22:38

We currently use a Littlelife carrier for dd, which dh carries her in when we go on dog walks etc. We're going on holiday soon, and the Littlelife will obviously be too bulky to take on a plane, so I was considering getting a sling for dh to carry her on his back. She can walk really well now, but obviously it won't convenient for her to walk everywhere.

I like the look of the Beco slings. Has anyone used these? Any other recommendations? She's quite petite, weighing only 9.4kg, and is 75cm tall, if that's relevant. Not looking to spend a fortune, as only for occasional use.

We had a Baby bjorn for when she was tiny, but I never found this very comfortable to wear (I'm very small), and also I have since read that they're not the best type. We'd like another dc at some point, so a sling we can later use for a newborn would be good!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePetiteMummy · 03/10/2011 17:47

Anyone? Never ventured into this topic before, it's quiet here!

OP posts:
Honeydragon · 03/10/2011 17:51

I use a Toddlerhawk for dd. I like it as it's a Mei tei and can go into my bag easily for when she's walking but it has a good high backrest so she can nap comfortably on my back when she's tired. Fantastically comfortable too as I can rucksack tie it round my arms rather then encounter the squiched wonky boob issue Grin

belgo · 03/10/2011 17:52

I used an ergo.

belgo · 03/10/2011 17:52

still do sometimes, for ds nearly three.

Original poster
ThePetiteMummy · 03/10/2011 17:55

Thank you! I'll have a look at those.

OP posts:
Iamjustthemilkmachine · 03/10/2011 21:49

Mei Tais are great, and I now have a toddler Patapum and absolutely love it, but it would not be suitable for a newborn afterwards.

AchtungBaby · 03/10/2011 21:52

I've got an Ergo, it's seriously fab.

YougreatPamplemousse · 03/10/2011 21:56

I have the babyhawk Oh Snap for the DDs 16mo and 3 yrs and can carry both easily in it. Although I will say we took our Littlelife on planes with us (not budget airlines though) and all of them happily stowed it for us in the cabin and we used it to carry one of the girls on and off the plane.

Original poster
ThePetiteMummy · 03/10/2011 22:55

Thanks for the extra replies. Thanks for that Pamplemousse, I'll check with the airline regarding the Littlelife.

OP posts:
poppycat04 · 03/10/2011 22:58

Ergo... Fantastic... Me too!

AchtungBaby · 04/10/2011 10:40

Ah, the LittleLife is meant to be good, but it's a framed structured carrier (and therefore bulky), so it really depends on what you want. I think the LittleLife is more for if you're about to trek up a hill for 4 hours (DH and I are very much not about to do this.

I wanted a soft structured carrier (which is more like a small, soft backpack), therefore I looked at things like the Ergo, Patapum etc.

I've no idea why most mainstream shops don't carry soft structured carriers, and only have BBs and their ilk. Hopefully they'll catch on soon, as they really are great. I wish I'd got one sooner for DS.

Original poster
ThePetiteMummy · 04/10/2011 13:21

Thanks Achtung, just to clarify, we already have a Little Life (got a very good deal on eBay), which is great for dog walks, I was just looking at the soft carriers for holidays. I do agree that they should be sold in shops, it's very frustrating having to work out what you like via pictures and videos online. I was also thinking that I might be able to carry dd myself in a soft carrier, as the LL by itself is quite heavy. Fine for dh though, and it does have a large pocket in the bottom.

OP posts:
AchtungBaby · 04/10/2011 18:40

Oh yes, sorry Blush.

Is there a sling library near you? Then you could try lots of different carriers before you buy. There's one near me, but in the end I just chose the Ergo based mainly on MN.

Original poster
ThePetiteMummy · 04/10/2011 19:50

Sling library?! Tell me more!

OP posts:
LCRLCR · 04/10/2011 19:55

I've just ordered a Boba for 13 month DD which came highly recommended. Waiting for delivery but check them out, sounds like exactly what you're after

dreamfeeder · 04/10/2011 19:57

ERGO ERGO ERGO!!!!! Fantastic. Don't buy a cheap 'new' one on ebay though, they're all fakes. DD feels lighter than on my front by a million miles and I struggle to carry her in our Deuter framed rucksack.

Can get an insert so can use it for a newborn too. I have borrowed one for my 12 month old as they're quite pricey, and did use a babybjorn all the time, but will invest in my own, plus insert for number 2 (i'm nearly 12 weeks with #2 now)

dreamfeeder · 04/10/2011 19:57

my friend has a boba. Good, very similar to Ergo but not pocket. Similar ish price too, about £80 if I'm right?!

dreamfeeder · 04/10/2011 19:58

not pocket- I mean no pocket. I love this on ergo as can fit small pack of wipes, nappy, keys, phone etc etc

perfectstorm · 04/10/2011 20:13

Second hand ergos on Ebay can also be fakes. Often the seller isn't aware of it and bought a cheap one off Ebay in good faith... the fakes can be dangerous.

Manducas are great and not faked, but I ended up preferring the (very similar) ergo as I still prefer a front carry with a 3 year old (I know that's weird of me). They are completely brilliant carriers, both of them.

I'd never buy an expensive carrier without having a good try of several with the child in them. They all vary and suit people differently. Sling meets are the best option, but there is a good shop in Bristol and London called Born that sells baby kit, including a range of slings. Best of all IMO is a shop in London called The Carrying Kind which only sells slings, so they carry a massive range and are pretty expert. I can't remember teh info off the top of my head, sorry, but I posted to a thread just below this asking if there was a shop with the gubbins on them. Born is fine if you're local, and as already said a sling meet best of all as you won't feel like you have to buy anything after the hour spent advising you, but those shops are also good bets if you live in the South at all.

AchtungBaby · 04/10/2011 20:16

I hear about sling libraries on MN - I think there are lots around the country, so just Google 'sling library' + the area that you live in. The one close to me has drop in sessions where you can try out different slings for free, and I think that you can rent one for a couple of weeks to see if you like it too.

AchtungBaby · 04/10/2011 20:17

I was quite keen on the Patapum toddler too, which is only about 1/2 the cost of the Ergo. It also comes in lots of different colours.

BertieBotts · 04/10/2011 20:26

"sling meet" is what you want to search for too.

Ergos have a good rep, because they market a lot. They aren't necessarily the best soft structured carrier on the market, though that's not to say they are bad! For example the Patapum (toddler) or Boba 2G have much longer backs than the Ergo so if you have a back-archer the Ergo can be a bit of a pain. The Boba also has footrests which encourage the child to sit in an ergonomic position - more comfy for them and you :)

If you don't mind tying it yourself you could look at a Mei Tai or a wrap? A Mei Tai is probably easier if you haven't used a wrap before. But generally I would go for a stretchy wrap for newborn, and a good, supportive toddler SSC for later on. If you choose the Patapum, then together they will cost what a more expensive sling would anyway.

littleomar · 04/10/2011 20:27

i still use a wrap sling for my 20 month DS (11kg ish). takes a while to get the hang of it (Youtube video tutorials) but well worth it - more comfortable than carriers and doesn't need adjusting when different people wear it. i've got an ellaroo one but it is a little stretchy - if i was buying again i have heard good things about hopi. they seem expensive for a bit of cloth, but cheap compared to ergo.

BertieBotts · 04/10/2011 20:31

I have a Patapum toddler BTW and love it. Can carry DS (3 tomorrow! Eek!) in it comfortably. Also recently tried the "babywearing doll" we use at our sling meet for demos in it which is supposed to be the size of a 4-6 month old and it fitted well and felt secure, though the baby would probably get fed up as the fabric came up to the top of it's head.

MotherOfHobbit · 04/10/2011 20:38

I've been using a Rose and Rebellion baby on my 15mo who was 13 kilos at last weigh in but he's getting too big for it. They do make a R&R toddler version which looks lovely.

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