boba, tula or R&R recommendations for a 3.5 preschooler

[lifeistooshort]

Hi wise ones

I have to go to London with my toddler next Monday. He hasn't used a pram in ages and there is no chance of getting him in one. He quite like to be carried on my back so was thinking that a carrier for older children might be good especially in the train/tube. He is quite small but relatively heavy.

So far I have come up with the above but would be keen to hear the recommendations. I have a catbird pikkolo but stopped using it ages ago as it felt like DS would topple over.

I also need the carrier to arrive supra quickly.

I carry my 32lb3.5 year old in a Boba 3G. It works fine but she's definitely getting big for it. Not sure I'd buy one new just for one trip. Also carrying is a lot harder if you're wearing a big coat and lugging other stuff. A frame carrier with storage space may be better.

bump

Thanks Invader. I was thinking of the boba 4G but am not sure whether it would be suitable. It won't be just for one trip. I am sure I will still get a fair bit of use out of it. I won't need to carry any lugagge so my preference is for an unstructured carrier as frame ones are quite heavy/uncomfortable.

Any other recommendations?

I've got a Toddlehawk, dd still fits in it at four when it's required.

ToddlerHawk

We've got a good frame carrier: the Osprey Poco, and it's terrible (DH insisted on it). So I wouldn't recommend that. I'm currently borrowing a wrap for my nearly 3yo, he's growing out of our ergo. The wrap is actually really comfortable.

My baby wearing consultant friend has also recommended me the Tula, but I haven't tried it yet.

Is there a consultant/sling library near you that could hire from for a few days?

I have a preschooler R&R which was fine for a 3 year old and held my 5 year old safely although she was a bit too heavy for me to carry for a long time.

Interesting, thanks for your replies, I was considering the toddler hawk as well as at the moment it seems like one of the best and not as expensive as the others.

At the moment I am left with tula, rose and rebellion and toddler hawk. Obviously I would like to have as much wear out of it as possible so one that could hold him occasionally (or his brother currently 5)
for a bit longer would be great.

There isn't a sling library unfortunately and not that many wesites have got older children slings.

I would go for the preschooler R&R or toddler Tula - both are considerably bigger than the toddlerhawk which isn't really all that wide to support longer legs.

Another possibility is the Toddler Action Baby Carrier - which is a bit cheaper than the other two, although marginally smaller I think.

Agreed to avoid the Boba - although you can use it for a bigger child I wouldn't buy it when the chid is already older iyswim.

Thanks everyone for so many useful replies. I needed to make a decision today and in the end I went for the Tula toddler as it seems to be the one with the most unanimous reviews. I hope it does the trick! I will report back after trip to London

Quick update. I received my sling today (fab customer service from the site I bought from). It is indeed massive. My 3.5 y.o was at nursery but I tried with his brother who is 5.5 y.o. He fitted in was very comfy and didn't want to get off. I only wish I had had it last year on holidays when he had meningitis and I had to carry him all the time.

My 3.5 DS will fit in it for a long time still. The sling is very well made and easy to use. Comfortable so far but the test of prolonged use/carry should reveal more. So far very chuffed (which is great as the sling was a fair bit of money)

Thanks for the review. Where did you buy it from?

not sure if I am allowed to say, if not forgive me mumsnet and delete the post. It was from a site called b2boutique and the customer service was top. www.b2boutique.co.uk/Tula_Toddler_Carrier/

I tried with DS2 tonight and he loved it and kept saying "giddyup mummy". He didn't want to come down!