Sling/carrier advice for a non walking 2yo

[1980Sport]

Hi I was wondering if anyone uses a sling or carrier for a non walking toddler? I was looking on the products section and a few recommend the Ergo Carrier for a toddler but I'm not sure it would be appropriate for a non walking 2 year old with hypotonia! In busy places he hates sitting in his pram but will quite happily let me carry him. He doesnt/can't wrap his legs around my waist or hold on so he'a a dead weight and at 13kg my back is starting to suffer. I have a 16 week old to transport as well!
Any advice, experience or recommendations would be much appreciated?!
The nearest Ergo stockist is an hour away so don't fancy that journey at the mo unless it's worth it :)

i would ask the sling group, they would be best to ask. My girls hated slings :(

Back carry Mei Tai would be my recommendation. You can get toddler sized ones. But it will depend on your relative heights I should think - you'd need a sling pro to work out how to tie him to give him proper torso support. sling meet should have someone close to you.

I should say - I did try a toddler mei tai with DD1 when she was about 4. But she eats my hair and considered it a major feasting opportunity.

A patapum toddler is tested to 60lbs and has extra padding and straps to spread the weight of an older child and prevent leaning. It is also cheaper than the ergo.

I'll post this on the sling group too! I'll probably end up getting one and he'll hate it too (like most of my attempts to make life easier or find things he'll be interested in)
Thanks for the other recommendations I'll check these out too!
Unfortunately no sling meets here - I'm not mainland UK :(

I think that most toddlers love being carried. Mine begs to go on my back.

If he hates it, you can always use it for your baby (the patapum toddler has some minimum age, but I ignored that and used it on my front).

If you learn to wrap then u could carry him with ease. It does take a while to build up core muscles to start carrying a toddler if u haven't done it from newborn.
I carry my hypermobile 2yr old in a lot of different carriers. You could look at. A toddler rose and rebvellion carrierr (buckles) which doesn't require as much learning iyswim.
Try naturalmamas.co.uk for more advice. Am on my phone atm so will comne back later

DD is nearly 3 and not walking I have been using a Yamo but she hates being on my back. She is now too tall for me to front carry (feet bashing my knees) I have gone for a "proper" back carrier

www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=kidcomfortI&sub=family&tert=family I think Blacks etc sell them

She likes being higher up than in a sling back carrier. It is tested to 20kg but the nice men in the shop demonstrated how you can fit and carry a small adult!!!

PS I hated the Patapum, compared the the Ergo or Yalmo.

Very true! I hope he does like it my left arm, hip and lower back are about to pack it in I think!! I try not to take him places I know he won't like - busy shops etc but not always practical so it would be nice to at least have the option.

Sorry last post was for unwind!
Thanks fairytale and isw - I'll definitely check those recommendations out!

I carried dd a lot of the time in a Napsack till she was 4 (google slingjax or napsack). Would have carried on for longer but was heavily pregnant! Although I did have her (ill) on my back and the baby (also ill) on my front when collecting poorly ds from school the other day.

Even if you can't make it to a slingmeet, please do use their forums for advice, they're great.

Mei tai can be easier than the more structured carriers as you can tighten the sling & dc up right against you, which helps with your centre of gravity (useful if hypotonia).

The carriers listed above look excellent for carrying on the back, but I think front carrying a 2 year old (unless you are Hagrid size tall) would be very uncomfortable and drag the shoulders forward. An alternative to these would be the baba sling <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.babycarriersguide.net/wp-content/plugins/image-shadow/cache/e568368dcf3e6bea73075c41e00df6aa.jpg&imgrefurl=www.babycarriersguide.net/baba-slings-baby-carrier&usg=__zvzGRaeeCo1_phxMIEvtGfeus3U=&h=272&w=210&sz=52&hl=en&start=94&zoom=1&tbnid=xiZxXM5inpzmhM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=86&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbaba%2Bsling%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1I7ACPW_enGB325%26biw%3D1003%26bih%3D541%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C2037&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=488&vpy=178&dur=5320&hovh=217&hovw=168&tx=98&ty=241&ei=8QURTa-LI8WL4Qbr7MWGAg&oei=xQURTfCzDtC7hAeL3vi4Dg&esq=6&page=6&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:94&biw=1003&bih=541" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here DGS (2) has one of these and it is much more comfortable than carrying. The shoulder support is well padded, it is quick and easy to put on and easily stored. It has lots of different ways of using it but the side carry would suit you. It is easy to put the child into too, and DGS is very comfy in it (he goes to sleep in it!) He has low tone in his trunk and I think the upright support helps strengthen his trunk. Also you can place his legs around you waist as they stay there in this sling without conscious effort, and therefore dont dangle uncomfortably round your crotch area!

front carrying 2yr old whilst 8.5months pregnant she started walking 6months ago.

Hi fairytale - sorry I can't access your photo for some reason :(

Maria & Sneezecake thanks for the recommendations! Once we get Xmas over and this weather clears up I'll try and find stockists somewhere nearby and try these all out or as you say order and return! I like the look of the side carrying one, think ds would love this one, he's happiest when he's on my hip!!!

Hi 1980s. If you're thinking of side carries, have a look at wraps as well as the babasling. You can't beat a pouch for speed, but wraps really do distribute the weight a lot better. Wearyourbaby is another website with a lot of very good sling info.

I use a Scootababy hip carrier for my DS who is 15 months with low muscle tone and non walking. He's as big as a 2 year old, as he's on the 100 centile for length and weight. I find it really comfy to use for long periods of time and is so easy to pop DS in, and off we go.

www.bigmamaslings.co.uk/zen-cart/scootababy-baby-carrier-p-461.html?zenid=101cc48d8ebd16d23fec2e34225ccb72

Hope you find the right one - you will probably end up with half a dozen though! The scootababy carrier looks fab for long distances particularly, but for ease of use (as when DGS get sick of being in his pushchair at the supermarket and creates) the babasling is just put over your shoulder (no clips at all) and baby just lowered in and adjusted.
My DD said the wraps needed a degree in origami but were very comfortable to wear too!