Which sling to carry 18mo toddler on back?

[ThePetiteMummy]

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!

Thanks everyone, that's brilliant, such informative replies! I really like the look of both the Papatum & Boba 2G. I like the fact they come in plain colours too, as I know dh wouldn't wear anything floral! The Ergo sounds great, but it's just too expensive for me at the moment, and it sounds risky to get one second hand.

Tell me, oh wise sling users, could I really comfortably carry dd in one of these things? I'm quite excited at the idea that I could! I'm 5'3", and of very petite build, and don't consider myself very strong, but I can lift dd no problem (she's 9.3kg). If you've got them on your back, you don't end up leaning forwards do you?

A preliminary Internet search didn't bring up any sling meets/libraries in my area (Surrey), but having to use my phone, as laptop not working, so will look properly later.

DS is currently 11.4kg, and I can comfortably carry him on my back in my Ergo for as long as I've wanted to - ~30mins-1hour I think (I'm 5ft5inches and not particularly strong). I still need DH's help to get him into it on my back though (I can get him into it on my front by myself, but I don't find that nearly as comfortable), but TBH I haven't really practised getting him into it on my back by myself.

There are lots of YouTube videos of babies being swung ( + ) or shuffled onto people's backs in Ergos, Patapums etc.

Yes definitely! :) And the great thing is that the longer you carry her for, your muscles will slowly build up to it so you won't notice as she gets heavier (until she's 3 or 4 anyway, at which point I think there may be more walking than carrying anyway!) If you're leaning forwards, it's not adjusted right. You should be able to walk very close to your normal posture (you will lean forwards very slightly because your centre of gravity is adjusted, but it shouldn't be noticeable).

The only thing is if you are very slight, you might find that you can't tighten the patapum enough around your waist. You need it pretty tight (uncomfortably so at first - things will loosen as you walk) so that it rests on your hips - this transfers the weight there - if it's going to slip down over them, then the waistband and the extra support it offers is pointless, it's still going to hang off your shoulders. I've just measured my Patapum and it's 28 inches - the only pair of jeans which fit me properly are a 27. The Boba at it's smallest size is 25 inches so you might be safer with that.

I've found this on slingmeet.co.uk: www.slingmeet.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?32-Surrey

Yep I used to put DS on my front just using the waist band (the Patapum has extra straps which hold their legs in place so this is safe) and shuffle him round. These days I just crouch down and he climbs on.

Thanks Achtung & Bertie, you've been so helpful!

Achtung, I've been looking at some of the You Tube videos, I imagine getting them onto you back is fine, so long as they're in a good mood! Can't imagine getting a tantruming dd in there in a month of Sundays! I reckon she'd be excited by it though, as she can't stop grinning when dh puts her in the Little life!

Bertie, you actually preempted my next question, as I'd read in a couple of the reviews of the Patapum that they don't adjust very small. I've just measured myself, and my actual waist (narrowest part, just above belly button) measures 26". But I imagine the waist part of these carriers sits a little lower than this, no? I'd actually decided to go for the Patapum, and was toying between the baby & toddler versions, as dd is still well within the weight range for the baby one (and it's cheaper!). It seems Baba are bringing out a new version, the 3G, which actually looks perfect for me, but am just a bit at the price, & not sure dh would approve, given we do already have a carrier! Wish I'd found out about these soft carriers sooner!

Thanks for the link to the sling meets, a bit daft of me not to find that, I'll check that out!

It took me ages to find that one to be fair - eventually found it via a facebook search weirdly!

Try measuring around your hips. I think if that measurement is at least 28" and you make sure to pull the straps almost tighter than they want to go, it should be fine. This is what I have to do anyway! The band kind of sits on your hips, rather than hugging your waist, if that makes sense (but it will feel tight and slightly breath-restricting around your tummy when you first put it on. This is not a carrier you could wear while pregnant!)

The thing with the youtube videos, is that those mums have usually been back carrying since their LOs were tiny, starting when they still had the reflex to hold on and stay still, I just could not work out why DS was never that calm and got really frustrated/upset about it, until someone else posted an AIBU about feeling like a failure that they could never do back carries and loads of people said "Yeah, my child screamed bloody murder as well. The zen babies on those links have been doing it since birth." and we both went "OHHHHHHH. That's a relief!"

You will probably notice, the first few times you use it and are getting used to it, that when it's adjusted wrongly it's immediately obvious just how good it is when it's adjusted right. You really notice the difference!

I'd definitely go for the toddler version at 18 months. No contest. By the time you have another baby you'll be able to persuade DH that you need to spend £30 on a stretchy wrap no problem In fact if you're that small it would probably be better to just make a stretchy wrap. You don't have to be crafty at all. But I'll let you make that post when you get there!

Thanks Bertie, more wonderfully helpful info! I was only hesitating between the baby & toddler versions as although dd is 18 months, she's only just going into age 9-12 month clothes, so very much on the small side. She's not that small height wise though.

I held my tape measure to 28" earlier, and it definitely wouldn't slide over my hips at that size, so should be ok. I imagined it would sit on the hips, as you have confirmed. I was holding dd on my hip earlier, and jiggled her round into a piggy back position, and she seemed to think it was all rather funny, so I think she'll take to it ok. She's generally pretty easy going!

My mum's a brilliant seamstress, so I reckon she could run me up a stretchy wrap come the time, if we find one for her to copy, thanks for the tip!

I'll report back when I've got one and tried it! Thanks again!

You don't even need to sew - that's the best part! But yes definitely toddler, even if she was actually only 9 months I'd say toddler. The baby one is the same as the Ergo, with a slightly shorter back, and you can't even use it before 4 months. It seems like an utterly pointless product to me.

Thanks, will definitely go for the toddler one then! Stretchy wraps sound good, was never even aware of them when dd was born, just goes to show how heavily the other types are marketed! (and didn't join MN until after she was born either!)

Coming late to this, but wanted also to recommend the Ergo.

I bought one for using with ds1 when he was 2 as we moved back into the city and buggy on the bus was a PITA.

I carried him in it (not all the time obviously) until he was 3.5yo and 36lbs when sometimes he was just too tired to walk.

I then used it from newborn with the insert for ds2. I could feed him in it on the go and we are still using it every day. He is 19months and 10kg or so.

So, although it was expensive, it has done over 3 years and counting. I don't invisage having to replace it before ds2 is walking without needing a carry. DS2 has never been in a buggy! That's how much I use it!!

Thanks Mawbroon, I know logically it'd better to get one that would do dd now & a newborn later, but I just can't afford the ones I like right now. Think I'll invest if/when we have dc2! The Ergo certainly is popular isn't it! Going to try & get a second hand Patapum.

That's because people like me had their carrying experience transformed by swapping from a babybjorn to an Ergo!!!

I didn't know about Boba baby carrier then. Having discovered today I'm having twins (twins!!!!!!!!!!) with a 18-19 month age gap, i think i will invest sooner rather than later!!

Congratulations dreamfeeder !

I'm imagining you with one baby in a front carrier, and one baby in a back carrier now .

Dreamfeeder - lots of ways to sling twins! Have a look at these videos:

www.dropshots.com/wraparoundjoy#date/2008-05-27/21:28:30

For the OP - I think the toddler patapum is a great choice. The ergo isn't actually that ideal for newborns....the infant insert bit you need to use it from newborn can get very hot in summer. It is a great carrier for 6 months + though. The toddler patapum is good from about 9 months plus, so I'd agree with pp who suggested a stretchy wrap for the first bit then move onto the toddler patapum.

oooh, thanks pootlebug

Thanks Pootlebug! Now, which colour to choose!

Many congrats Dreamfeeder, exciting & scary in equal measure I would think!!

I have got the red one. It seemed the brightest. I'd imagine a dark colour would hide stains better.

I was quite disappointed that what they call "indigo" is actually a light blue.

I have a Beco and love it. I'm also smallish (5'1") and have no problem carrying 10ish kg ds in it. Very easy to get onto your back too as you can put the child in it first.

RitaMorgan - I'm very at you being able to put the child into the Beco before you put the Beco onto your back. I had a look on their website, but it shows a child on someone's front being shuffled around onto their back. Is this what you meant, or do you do something different?

You can put it on your front and swing it round, but I tend to sit ds in it on a chair and then put it on like a backpack.

The Beco has an extra bit of material, though, doesn't it? To allow that (and easy switching between wearers) - if you tried that with an Ergo they'd just fall out.

Yes, it's specific to the Beco - I swapped from a Rose & Rebellion to a Beco for that reason.

Thanks Bertie, I am leaning towards the blue actually, but I agree, it's certainly not indigo! Have decided to go for new, as found a website with a very good price, and I can always sell it on in future.

Thanks Rita, I would definitely go for the Beco if it were cheaper, as I realise it has an extra bit of fabric, but £90 odd seems a lot to me for a sling, when I can get a new Patapum for £58 Inc delivery.

I shall have to practice the onto-back shuffle!

Wow, they've gone up in price. Was £45 when I bought mine 2 years ago. It was the previous version to the current one, though.

By the way, can anyone recommend any good websites for buying second hand slings? I know all about cloth nappies, but nothing about slings!