Monday, July 21, 2008

quick, i need advice

I am in the market for a new baby carrier.

The Bjorn is great, fabulous in fact, but I need something that I can wear Henry around in on my back. Or, side. I have a Kelty backpack, but I am looking for something smaller, easier, more comfortable for him and me. Something that I can just load him in to and get various chores done around the house.

I'm typing this one handed. Because my baby skipped his morning nap and slept for barely 45-minutes this afternoon and now, he won't let me put him down.

So please. Tell me. What is a good carrier that you would recommend. My plan is to buy one before I go to sleep tonight.

(or early tomorrow morning as the case probably will be)

31 comments:

  1. I really dig the Ergo carrier. It works front, side, or back. A little pricey, but I have really liked it. Sounds like it would do what you need, as it accomodates kids up to a reasonably large size.

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  2. Hi Jen,

    We have used our Ergo from newborn and we still use it (2.5year old.) I wear him on my back, front and side.

    LOVE IT! And they have a good resale value.

    But, go to a store and try it on first. Or else see if an interntet seller lives close by and can let you come to her house and try it on. Or do what I have done - ask someone in the street about it and then ask to try it on.

    Happy carrying,
    Rosemary

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  3. Oh, and it's pretty friendly on your back because it has a strap around your hips, and then backpack-style shoulder straps. I'm a big fan. :-)

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  4. Beco Butterfly! It totally rocks. I got it a couple of weeks ago for our 20-month-old but have also toted our 3-year-old (30 pounds and 38" tall) comfortably... and by "toted" I mean POWER-WALKED. You can put your child in it and then fling it up on your back, completely solo. My 2nd choice was the Ergo, but I wanted to be able to go chest-to-chest with our 20-month-old and I think the Ergo is only forward-facing. I also LOVE the Beco fabrics. Happy Babywearing!

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  5. I LOVE our Babyhawks. I used to (before becoming pregnant) wear a baby on the front and one on the back.

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  6. @heather

    I only use my Ergo for chest to chest when he is in the front nowdays. In fact, I've never put my son in face out in the Ergo.

    But, I've never tried the Beco Butterfly. It sounds cool.

    Cheers,
    Rosemary

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  7. I love my mei tai! I made it myself for about $20. My body doesn't do a back carry (for unknown reasons) but I know a lot of people who do and you tube has a lot of instructional videos too. It's even more comfortable than being pregnant!

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  8. Definitley recommend the Ergo. Have the Bjorn and hate it once the babies get past 10 pounds...too hard on my neck. The Ergo has saved me and I've seen 4-5year olds in this on hiking trips. We use the Ergo almost daily and it's not only forward facing- in fact, I've never used it forward facing. I either have him chest to chest, on my back, or on my side. My daughter loves it as well- she's 3 and still rides very comfortably... I don't notice them in it because all the weight is on your hips. I have never heard ANYONE that doesn't like it. You'll be happy...

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  9. I love my Mei Tai more than my ergo...But I'm weird.
    I have an ergo and I think it's really versatile, but for some reason the MT is nicer/comfier/easier/cuddlier...
    Who knows why though, I think it's all up to personal preference.

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  10. Definitely the Ergo!!!

    Kelly(Houston)

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  11. I LOVE the Ergo carrier for all the reasons stated above. I carry my 2.5 yr old son (recently adopted) in it chest to chest and will do so for a long time to come.

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  12. I've been babywearing for 4 years and I gotta tell ya I am totally in love with my Beco Butterfly. I was more a hotslings kind of girl but after trying my Beco (I had an ergo and babyhawk, etc etc) I l-o-v-e it.

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  13. Ergo. Carried one twin on my back for hours (from age 6 months)...and the other in my arms. No pain at all. In fact I think it improved my posture. The DVD demos how to get the baby on your back. Older babies are much easier - they help ypu by holding on.

    I still use it at almost age 2. Bought mine used for $50 so great resale value as well.

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  14. Don't spend money yet. I've got the Mei Tai for you - I just keep forgetting to bring it! If I make it this week - I'll give it to you or Charlie.

    Jessica

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  15. Hate to be a broken record Jen, but I actually won an Ergo in a giveaway a few weeks ago after absolutely coveting it for the past two children but thinking that it was too much to invest in and, hey, I have the Bjorn anyway. Damn, I would've totally spent the money kids and kids ago if I'd had any idea. I vote for the reddish color. Or tan. Tan's good. Green's nice too. Just don't go with black. Mine already looks dirty.

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  16. I say Parents of Invention "Ultimate Baby Wrap." LOVE IT!
    http://parentsofinvention.com/ubw-product.htm

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  17. Ditto on the Ergo, in fact have many blog entries about my Ergo and have it listed under baby essentials top 10 on my blog. I am the queen of all carriers and own too many. I have the moby which I love,but feel that once a baby gets older has been used to it's best ability..With the Ergo I can carry Olivia on my back at 2.5 years and wear Charley on my front. Love it Love it Love it!! And.. you can nurse in it while out and about, no one knows..it comes with a great shade cover you can slip over their head as they are essentially sitting up.

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  18. I wish I still had my sling from Guatemala! It is FABULOUS and I think it would be perfect for what you wanted it for. Women in GC carry their 3 & 4 year olds all over the place in them. I can get you one on pick up in about 8 or 9 weeks(hopefully). They run about $20 and hold up WONDERFULLY!
    Let me know -

    Hugs -
    Bamagirl

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  19. I love, love, love my Beco (it's not the current model, but the 4th generation)! My husband uses the Ergo and that's great too - I just happen to love the Beco a little better - probably due to the great fabric selection. Anyway, I use it to wear one of my twins on my back and my husband uses his for the other. They're both fabulous!

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  20. I would try the ergo but it is more than $100 bucks, maybe borrow it first or get a hand me down from your local mom's club. My baby does pretty well in it (he's 8 mos), I can actually cook dinner with him in it on my back and he is comfy and safe. He loves the bjorn cuz he can look out and we have the active one, but he is too heavy now for more than half an hour w/out my neck killing me. Our ergo is tan, not too exciting but good for Daddy, too, I think there are much more beautiful carriers out there, but daddy would not wear them :) and daddy takes him grocery shopping in it every weekend while mommy sleeps in :) Anyway, my cousin swears by the moby wrap but I found it super complicated to put on- Good luck on your baby wearing, Jen-

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  21. Ergo. I would give up just about every other piece of gear before my beloved Ergo. My son is one and I wear him on my back comfortably all the time. He loves it and falls asleep in it happily every now and then. Can't recommend it highly enough!

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  22. i would say ergo too!

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  23. ooh thanks for asking this question. I tote around my 32 lb kiddo all the time, but he's only 19 months!!! (yep, i saw someone who mentioned their 3 year old with that weight...what is going to happen when our little one is 3? i dont even want to think about it!!!)

    I've been meaning to look into something...we had a Lands End backpack carrier, but he managed to slip through the sides, being the little monkey that he is.

    SOOO glad you asked, because now I have all sorts of people's advice! :)

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  24. I love my mei tai! The big plus is that you can use it for all your kids--little babies to toddlers. (And if your kids are like mine, they will want turns)

    If someone is going to give you a mei tai (it sounds like it from all your other comments) Use it, you've got it at a great price! FREE!

    If you do use it, my advice is to invest in something that will teach you to use it. (It will take some learning) I like Tummy 2 Tummy, its a instructional DVD of babywearing. You can get it many places but here's one
    http://www.sleepingbaby.net/shop/proddetail.php?prod=video

    Good luck!

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  25. We use the Beco carrier which is basically like the Ergo carrier, but in really awesome colors/prints.

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  26. ERGO all the way. I have a million carriers and this one rocks. We have one for our 4.5 yr old and one for our 1.5 yr old--and from time to time I still carry the 4.5 yr old in it!
    A little misunderstanding here in the comments section--the Ergo is NEVER meant to be worn w/ the child facing out like a Bjorn. It's either chest to chest (in front), chest to back (on back) or on the hip.
    Definitely worth $100. I would even pay $200. It's worth every penny.
    Good luck!

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  27. Ergo

    mine is the deep red color, the tan is nice too.

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  28. Hey Jen! I love your blog! I have a Moby wrap that I guess you wrap and wear all day that has like 8 million places to put your baby (even front side and back). I have been looking at the peanut slings, they seem easier to put on but theres only a few ways to carry your baby in that.

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  29. Go Ergo.

    I've been wanting an Ergo since I knew to want one but I had already purchased other carriers.

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  30. I LOVED LOVED LOVED my hotslings sling. It was the best thing ever. I was able to carrier my claire up to two yrs. It was the best for my back I couldn't carry them with the bjorn.

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