DS is a monster but loves being carried

[QueenKong]

So I've decided to invest in a sling. DS is 7mo and on the 91st centile for weight. Will I be wasting my money getting a Beko? Will I be able to carry him for much longer? I'm pretty strong and big hence my nickname.

Another mum of a monster marking place! Bjorn carrier ok for now (4month) but snowsuit-clad thighs are a wafer-thin mint away from too tight...

(I don't feed him mints by the way, 'twas a month python reference)

Just been looking at the Rose and Rebellion site. Think I may go for that one. Does anyone have any experience of carrying a larger baby around in one of these?

Or tempted by a Manuca now. There is too much choice, help!

I'm still carrying my massive twenty month old, so it can be done.

For advice head on over to the natural mamas forum. It is horribly fluffy over there, but you will be able to get loads of info, and they have a great for sale board.

I carried ds2 in a Didymos sling. It was brilliant and incredibly comfortable. We both loved it and I got stronger as he grew. Obviously he walked more as he got older but I used it till he was 2.5. I only wish I'd had one with DS1. Happy choosing!

I have the same problem. DD is over the 98th percentile (11kilos + at 8 months outgrowing 12m size clothes) and carrying her is a serious issue! When she was younger I had a Babasling, but that cuts into my shoulder now so ideally I need something with two shoulder straps and a waist strap. To make matters worse I want to be able to have her on my front forward facing as she really likes to see the world now!

I would go for an Ergo. We still carry ds in ours now and he's 2,2.

Woo hoo! Have ordered a manduca. Is it weird to be so excited?!

Off to google - thanks for starting the thread op!

My two are just over 15kg and I still carry them regularly (even now, at 35 weeks pregnant). I am no masochist nor am I ridiculously strong. I do have good carriers though - that is what makes the difference.

Booboostoo I think you'll have problems finding a facing out carrier that is comfy for a 11kg little one. But with arms out in a mei tai or buckle carrier or woven wrap, or a high back carry where she can see over your shoulder, she should be able to look around plenty in order to see what is going on.

If any of you struggling to find something are near a sling library or sling meet (www.slingmeet.co.uk) it can be a good way to try out and see some things in person. Different things work for different people - there isn't one 'brilliant' carrier that works for everyone.

QueenKong - FWIW I run a sling library and have tried a LOT and think the Manduca is a great carrier!

I have recently got a rose & rebellion for my 91st centile chunk-it's fab, telltale supportive and easy front or back. Even sh is happy with it (he never got in with our moby)

I was still carrying ds when he was nearly 4 and 19kg, and it was no problem

Thanks pootlebug, it was a bit of an impulse purchase after I well and truly lost it with our babybjorn - my poor shoulders - so good to know you rate it. I also dug out my moby that I never really mastered and, after studying some YouTube clips, I managed to put him in it. It was so much comfier than the bb!

Thanks pootlebug! You are right I am struggling! But I have a strong feeling she will not like facing me. She does not like the parent facing positions in the Babasling, but loves the forward facing. Also when I carry her in my arms she really, really twists round to be forward facing and grab things (makes it much more difficult to carry her).

Sorry OP don't mean to hijack! Glad the moby is working out!

Booboostoo - I've had quite a few people come to the sling library I run with the same thought. But we've managed to find a carrier that their LO is happy in, facing in, but with plenty of ability to see about.

The left hand picture in this Manduca shows what I mean (slightly older child but no reason an 8 month old can't do this front or back) www.babyshop.com.au/cube40/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=3208 The Manduca works well as you can adjust the height of the body panel - so you can make it shorter for kids who like their arms out to help them look around more.

Or this one with a woven wrap (not my sling library btw!) where she can see over her Mum's shoulder to look around and see forwards southlondonslings.com/2011/06/25/bebina-rainbow/

Thanks for the help pootlebug!

I found this last night:
www.allbabyneeds.co.uk/Shop/beco-gemini-4-in-1-baby-carrier-metro-black-/prod_2138.html

No idea if it will be any good but I can report back when it arrives if anyone is interested.

I'd be interested booboo!

It's arrived. I haven't had a chance to use it for long hours but first thoughts:

• it's slightly complicated to position as you need to do the straps differently for each position but you can have every option: front forward and back facing, hip and back. I am totally sleep deprived so I only learnt front forward, but I am sure any normal person can learn all of them in no time.

• I'm XXS and it fits me no problem on the tightest settings, but DP is XXL and although it actually fit around him on the loosest settings...you couldn't fit the baby in there as well! A bit of a shame that.

• the front forward facing position felt very comfortable for DD (11.5 kilos now). I wore her for 10 minutes, the straps were not digging in during that time, the waist strap took a lot of her weight (this can be worn around hips or around waist so more opportunities to adjust) and I could stand up straight without having to lean back. I got the baby in and out of that position on my own easily, but I think I would need help for the back position. DD was very happy to be dangling there forward facing and we did some dancing and jumping about which she really enjoyed!

So far it seems to do exactly what it says on the tin and I should be able to use it for a wee bit longer now (goes up to 16kgs and DD is now growing only 500 grams a month as opposed to the 1kilo per month during the first six months, so I am hopeful!).