Best carrier for toddlers?

[Mommy2Abby]

Hi - I'm looking for a good carrier --at a good price-- for a toddler. We're taking my DD to a baseball game in a couple of weeks and want something that isn't too expensive but is comfortable for carrying her to/from and around the stadium. I never found the Baby Bjorn very comfortable when she was an infant so I think I'm looking for some type of sling that would work well to have her on the hip or on my back?

DD is 18.5 months and only about 21.5 pounds.

Any suggestions? TIA!

[krapp]

I love my Ergo! You can wear DD on your hip, front (rear facing only), or on your back. Very comfy, and goes up to 40 lbs, I think.

[Jacksmommy2b]

I have a Mei Tai I still carry my 31lb, 3 y/o in.

I have heard great things about the Ergo, but I know they are pricey. I think I paid about $30 for my MT when they were on sale through www.mayawrap.com.

G/L

[musicalgrl]

I've heard great things about Ergo, too. I am thinking about buying one. Not sure what they cost though.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I bought a used Beco Butterfly from FrogMama.com and got a good deal. I really like that carrier and use it often with my 19mo (about 22lbs).

Beth

[Mommy2Abby]

Thanks for the advice! The Ergo looks awesome - very comfy and seems like it's easiest to put on/take off? But, it's definitely pricey... any recommendations on the best place to get a good deal on the ergo?

[athompson]

Thanks for the advice! The Ergo looks awesome - very comfy and seems like it's easiest to put on/take off? But, it's definitely pricey... any recommendations on the best place to get a good deal on the ergo?

I have no experience with this site, but they have the heart rose (girly) pattern for $88, normally $110.

I love my Ergo. I use it to carry my seven month old up front and my 2 1/2 year old on my back (not at the same time of course). ;)

[craezie]

BECO!!!
I love my Beco with my toddler. You can't even feel the weight of him as opposed to the Bjorn, where I felt like he was hanging off of my shoulders.

[ett]

Another ergo lover here. I still use it with my 2 1/2 year old who's about 25 lbs.

[wellyes]

I love my Ergo and I use it all the time. But they are pretty expensive for something you don't plan to use often. Consider a Toddler Patapum instead.... basically the same design. I've tried both and they're pretty much equivalent. Except Ergos are much more popular (recommended by many magazines, celeb endorsements, and a certain Baby Bargains book you may have heard of :)). You can get a new Patapum for around $70.

You may even like the Patapum more, it's taller. The Ergo has a notably short body: advantage is that baby can put his arms out, disadvantage is that if he leans he'll throw you off balance!

[theshan]

I love the Ergo as well--it is the only carrier that doesn't hurt and it's lightweight/packable. I bought mine directly from the company and justified it because we will be able to use that thing through both kids and a lot of poundage.
Ebay has some used ones for auction.

[larig]

I love my ergo, and my 13 month old has never been in a cart, because I carry him every time we shop (it works better for me, because I often like to abandon my cart in stores to go find something). My DS is already 23 pounds and I won't say I don't "feel" him, but I can wear him for long stretches of time while shopping or around the house. It's really well-made, and if I decide I want to sell it when I'm done with it, I'm sure it will retain its value well. here's one (http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/bab/1288790481.html) for sale that's listed on the Seattle craigslist for $55. (it was at its best for airport travel, btw.)

[sparkeze]

I used an Ergo with my DS until he was about 3.5yo pretty regularly. I would probably check ebay or look around for factory seconds type of thing?

[MmeSunny]

Since Ergos are so popular, it's hard to find a really good deal on them since people snap them up so fast. I honestly don't think the Ergo is any more comfortable than the Patapum and the P is considerably less expensive and more gender neutral--most daddies don't mind the P.

For comfort though, I haven't found anything more comfy than the Calyx. It has curved straps and a very adjustable sternum strap. Wonderful, but spendy. If you are having another child, it would totally be perfect.

[pantrygirl]

Another vote for the Ergo.

I love it and have been using it since my baby was 6 months old. She's a year old now and she still loves it. She plays with the buckle and will crawl/walk to it to let me know she wants me to wear her.

I just starting using the hip carry and it's great. I use the hip carry when we're at the grocery store picking up odds and ends. She has more of a view, which toddlers seem to want and she still has access to breastfeed privately (if you still breastfeed).

Hip, Back or Front Carry are quite comfortable and even my husband loves the Back Carry, although he prefers to use the stroller.

[Mommy2Abby]

Thanks so much for all of the insight! I decided to bite the bullet and go with an Ergo - diapers.com has free one-day shipping, so that was cheaper than buying it through the Ergo company itself. I'm excited to get it... hopefully I'll love it as much as you guys do! I like the fact that it's good for all heights, too, since my husband is much taller than I am... hopefully if I find it getting too heavy, he'll take over and wear it a bit, too! Thanks again for the insight!

[tylersmama]

LOVE my Ergo. I don't use it all that often these days, but it's a godsend when traveling...I still use it with DS who is 3 + a couple of months. He likes riding in it, I like being able to carry him comfortably.

[Mommy2Abby]

I just wanted to say thanks for all of the recommendations. I got the Ergo from diapers.com and absolutely love it! It was well worth the extra $... it came really fast with free delivery, and it was so great to use while walking around the baseball stadium with DD! And, my back didn't even hurt afterward, like it has with pretty much every other carrier I've tried! DD loved it so much that she cried the first couple times we took her out of it!!

[pantrygirl]

Glad to hear it!

Don't forget you can also do the back carry and the hip carry. Don't be intimidated. I finally tried the hip carry three weeks ago and love it! :cheerleader1:

[Mommy2Abby]

Glad to hear it!

Don't forget you can also do the back carry and the hip carry. Don't be intimidated. I finally tried the hip carry three weeks ago and love it! :cheerleader1:

I did the back carry, and it was great. Now DD keeps wanting to climb on my back even when I don't have it on for "piggy back!"

[ahrimie]

You can get the Ergo at BuyBuyBaby and use a Bed Bath 20% coupon.

Eta: sorry.. didn't realize you already bought it.... yay!!