Confused - looking for carrier for 17 month old

[Sangiovese]

I've been reading posts (there is one further down about toddlers) and other web site (babywearer.com), but it is still confusing. DD is about 25 lbs, and I don't want to spend a lot of money at this late date (she's the second and last). I didn't like the Baby Bjorn, and I didn't use it much (just sold it on ebay!). I haven't really "worn" her, but she likes to be carried and, of course, she's getting heavier. It looks like I want a hip carrier, but I like option of putting her on my back but, in reality, I doubt that I need that feature. I want something that is easy on the back, of course, and easy to put on. I know that I don't want one that has all of that material.

I'm just confused, so any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[mshen]

in my opinion, you either get something that's easy to use or comfortable for long term use (i.e. >1hr)

a pouch or a sling will let you start using it fairly quickly. it's pretty good for hip carry, and a back carry if you need to. but since it's one-shouldered, it hurts after a while. though it might not be a problem if you think DD will not want to be worn for hours on end.

a MT is much more comfortable. however, it does have long shoulder straps, which might scare you at the beginning. but i swear, it is really easy to use too. and you CAN carry your DD for hours on end on your back. and you can do hip carry too.

another option is using 2 slings or 2 pouches. so you get less material, and the weight is distributed over 2 shoulders so it's more comfy. but to be honest, i've never done it, so i don't know how easy it is. though i imagine it can't be that hard...

and of course you can get any of these pretty cheap on the FSOT board on TBW, as long as you're not picky about the fabric choice...
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[Sangiovese]

Here is my other confusion - there are a lot of homemade carrier FS - are these safe?

Do you have some good pics of the MT? I can't understand how it is that comfortable. I can't find any pics of hip carrying with the MT.

Thanks.

[May_Flowers]

For hip carry I like a pouch like a Hotsling. For back carry which is really the most comfortable option I like the ergo. Actually I think the new ergo does hip and back carry.

[lenad]

Totally safe. Tons of pictures on thebabywearer.com, but to start off you may want to take a look on the kozycarrier.com (Kozy is probably *the* MT out there).

[Judegirl]

If she's tall enough, try an Onbu - they're much eaier on and off than a MT, IMO.

Jude

[Canna]

I have a 24 lb 16 month-old. I wear her quite a lot. Here's my advice:

I really find Mei Tais to be incredibly comfortable. I also find them pretty easy to put on as well (Tie on waist strap. Insert baby. Cross and tie shoulder straps. Go.) This is what I use for long, multi-mile walks, and also what I used this week when cleaning up the snacks and sand toys for a few minutes after having hosted playgroup at the park. I use my Mei Tai mainly on my front (still quite comfortable) or back (more handy with DD out of the way). I do have a friend who wears her DD on her hip in one. However, any hip carry, with any carrier, is not going to be as comfortable because the weight is distributed on just one shoulder.

I have a pouch (Lucky Baby) which I've used since DD was pretty little. I keep it in my car for times when we're just running in somewhere very quickly. It's not THAT much quicker to put on than a Mei Tai, honestly, but it does SEEM less complicated! ;)

I'm not sure what you mean by "all of that material". If you really want a comfortable hip carry for a toddler, I was going to recommend a woven wrap (like basically 3.5-5 yards of fabric). I am able to wear DD more comfortably in a Hip Cross Carry in a wrap than in anything else.

[JacksMommy]

At 17 months, you could easily be getting a year or more out of your carrier- I carried my now-4 yo regularly until he was 3yo. Even now he occasionally wants to get in my fleece pouch (KKAFP) when he is sick or crabby.

I use both a pouch and a mei tai (I have a Kozy but use a MyPouch more regularly because I find it easier to put on) on a regular basis. I use the pouch for easy on and off and for snuggling before bedtime and mei tai for longer carries or when I want her on my back. I've never liked a mei tai for hip carry, myself.

Bottom line, it really depends on how you think you will use it. A hip carrier or pouch is easy but don't really do back carries as well. A ring sling is extremely versatile and can do back carries but involves the "all that material" you are probably talking about. A mei tai is great for front and back carry and distributes weight on both shoulders but has a greater learning curve (and IMO is a better second carrier - once you know you really like carrying).

Based on what you've told us, if you asked me, I'd say go for a pouch or two stretchy pouches (like the slingset) if you want more support.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

Laurel
WOHM to Jack, 6/4/02
Baby Madeline 12/14/04

[samantha546]

Have you looked at the Sutemi Packs? Those are said to be up to age 5 and I find wearing DD very comfortable, even for extended periods of time and for short hikes.

Good luck!

-Samantha