Which sling / carrier? I keep getting it wrong!

[LikeCandy]

Hi all!
I made the mistake of buying a Baby Bjorn when I was pregnant, hated it, and have been wearing baby in a Close Caboo or a (cheapo) Palm & Pond mei tai.
Baby is now a sizeable 7kg+ 4 month old and stretches out the Caboo, the mei tai feels poorly made and the straps are way too short.
So so far I have 'wasted' almost £150 on carriers - please help me make the right decision this time!

I am 5ft3 and petite frame.
I would like to carry baby for as long as possible.
Baby likes to look around in the sling, but also falls asleep quite easily too.
I need to be able to take it on & off easily.
I would like to be able to front, back & hip carry.

I'm looking at:
Ergo baby (I've heard these aren't good for small frames?)
Boba 3G
Manduca
BabyHawk mei tai
Woven wrap

Unfortunately sling library is not an option for me, so I am after any advice or guidance!

Thanks in advance!

I have an ergo, it is brilliant! Can't comment on small frames myself, but I have a size 8 friend who also loves it.

It was good in a front carry but it has really come into its own for back carrys now DD is bigger (13m, about 9 kg). So comfy and easy to do up. I have used it for my 3 year old too, and it worked surprisingly well.

Highly recommend.

Ergo is good

I'm similar height and build and have a Manduca which I adore.

I also tried the ergo performance (borrowed from local sling library) and really liked it.

Do you have a sling library near you so you could road test a few?

I have a Manduca and love it, I'm 5' 4" and size 8 so small build and I find it fits well although I prefer to wear the straps crossed at the back as that gives more support and if I just wear them over my shoulders they slip off as my shoulders are quite narrow. Ds2 is now 15mo, 10.5kg and I can comfortably carry him in it for several hours (still front hold, haven't tried back with him) I can also (just!) fit 4.5yo ds1 (14.5kg) in it on a back hold so it will last a long time as weight limit is 20kg. Ds2 has always been very comfortable in it.

Sorry just read what you said about no sling library! Any friends you could borrow from?

Thanks guys . So ergo or manduca so far then!
OnTheRun - unfortunately I don't drive and the nearest sling library is at least an hours walk.

Stupid question maybe - but what bag do you wear with a structured carrier? I've been wearing a backpack with the slings I have and feel a bit like a packhorse with baby on front and bag on back.
Do shoulder changing bags stay on with the carrier straps in the way?

I'm 5'1 and a small frame. Had also bought the Baby Bjorn (both original and Synergy) and hated it -
gave me a sore back.

Like Pourquoipas, I loved the Ergo (we bought the Sport version) and found it comfy for front and back. And have recently used it on the back for my 21 month old!

Crossed post. I carry a backpack as it helps to straighten my posture!

I've never tried the shoulder strap ones with the baby carrier, but have never really liked them anyway as found they are too heavy to carry with one shoulder.

You haven't wasted £150 as you can definitely sell the Caboo on, probably the BB too I'd have thought.

If you liked the mei tai then the babyhawk is probably a good bet.

Could you try postal hire from a sling library?

You can hire slings online from Slumber Roo if that helps? I did that and then got money off a purchase. It was really easy.

We had a baby hawk and loved it... Still squeeze in at 19mo. If you like the adjustability of a Mei tai they are good ones. You can pick up for 35-55 quid. I don't get on with the soft structureds that well as got hip probs and like to keep baby v high so the solid waists dont suit. Also I find the buckles rub under my arms. If you join slings and things fsot on Facebook and lurk for a bit, you'll get the hang of pricing and can be confident even if you don't like what u buy you can sell it on. You could sell the close easily I think, possibly the p&p too. and you'll def find plenty to buy. Beware fake ergos on eBay.

maja00 I've never thought of postal hire - great idea, I'll email them and ask!

craving - I will check them out, thanks

jeggie - I've heard that about fakes on eBay. I have an amazon voucher to use so was hopin to buy from there, that should be safe enough shouldn't it?!
I'll try and hunt our the Facebook page - any chance of a link? Thanks!