With DD1 I didn't get my Beco Butterfly carrier until she was 20 or 21 months old. We only used it for back carrying. With DD1 we used from pretty much birth until about a year in the front carry. We haven't used it much this summer, but I know we will use it more soon in the back carry mode.

I would try a couple of different carriers. I tried the Ergo and it hurt my back with DD1 in it. I much preferred the Beco Butterfly. If you think you are going to want a carrier that offer more carrying positions like the Ergo then look at the Beco Gemini.

I decided on a soft structured carrier because I didn't feel confident enough to use a Moby or Mei Tei wrap style carrier.