which carrier is right for me and my heavy 8 month old

[hostelgirl74]

Til now i have had a baby bjorn. I have been happy enough with it. He never really liked the facing me position and i felt like he wasnt getting enough air. However since he got his head control and could face outwards, it served us well. Now he is getting to the maximum weight it will take. I love carrying him and would like to upgrade to one for heavier babes but i am unsure which one would be right for me. Here is my spec:

1)has to be one where you can face outwards (acing forward seems like he doesn't get enough air and those back pack things scare me - something could happen that i cant see)
2)has to be one that will cope with a heavy/older baby
3)has to be one thats fairly easy to clip on and take off (hes a bit of a stress head and if i am taking ages fiddling around baby will lose his cool)
4)will have to last me til he wont want to be carried anymore
5)washable
6)i am not keen on slings - tried one once and it all seemed a bit like he was gonna fall out - prefer a more structured carrier

Thats it. I tried on a beco today but it didnt seem significantly better than baby bjorn for his weight distribution despite the waist band - not £100 worth anyway which is the sort of figure they cost. Perhaps i didn't put it on right. Ergo sounds good but they dont do front position facing out. He wouldnt want to face me plus it seemed a bit fiddly. Any advice/experiences welcome please. You lot helped me choose my pushchair and did a good job!

Have you looked at the rose and rebellion carriers? They cost about £75 but sometimes have offers on their Facebook page for £50. I still occasionally use mine to carry my large ds aged 27months when he's walked enough. It is meant to be either facing in or piggy back style but it is possible to use it facing outward too if preferred.

I found it more comfy than the bjorn and it's lasted longer! The company seem very helpful if you have any questions and there is a lovely variety of designs too.

I agree with the advice that the wilkinet is probably not best for a large older baby, though I love it for a younger baby I upgrade to an Ergo at about one year. That doesn't do FFO but there is plenty of space for baby to look all around, I'd suggest OP could try it before she rules it out. A slingmeet would be ideal for this.

Beco & Babyhawk Gemini, I think allows forward facing. Beco , Babyhawk Oh Snap , Boba & Ergo, take you up to between 35lb -45lb. Your probably starting to find at 8 months that most baby carriers, cannot do baby forward facing , because the weight, at that unusual angle, becomes uncomfortable & heavy for both you & the baby. Some of the research says its like hanging a baby from a thong ie just by the middle of its crotch, with no support above. Its possible the baby will equally enjoy a back carry, ie just like a piggy back . I have the ergo & Boba & prefer the Boba for long use. The most active walker out of my 10 month old twins loves it & loves watching us doing things around the house & watching people in the street comfortably, with her hips supported & Bobas come with foot rests. I also woudve felt the baby was a bit more vulnerable, hanging facing everyone in the street, before me. I dont like when complete strangers feel its ok to just come up & try & touch the baby.

Our most fussy twin, destresses in the Boba, even with my husband, who loves it, & relaxes when she comes out. Possibly from feeling like shes being held for a long period.