Baby Carrier

I have two Becos, an AMC (Active Mom Carrier), two ringslings, a pouch, three different Mei Tais, two Podeguis, about 10 wraps (or so!)...so um, let's just say I have a FEW baby carriers. They are all good for different reasons.

For a 1-yr-old that likes to get up and down, a buckle carrier like the Ergo or Beco are great. Also Mei Tais and slings work really well. There is a store I love, Metro Minis, on Park and E.75th, that sells many different brands of baby carriers. If you stopped in, you could try out a bunch and I'm sure you would find something practical, beautiful and comfortable. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I absolutely love my Ergo!!! http://www.ergobabycarrier.com

Hi B.,

I have an Ergo carrier and my youngest is 13 months. I love it and use it often! Sometimes it's the only way I can get things done.

L.

I only know and LOVE me ergo. my daughter is 20 months old. I use it every day. and I just found the cutest cover for it - well maybr not sooo cute, nut highly functional for the upcoming cold months. papuroo, or something close to that. found it on google search for baby carrier cover :)

please excuse any typos - nursing baby, typin=g with one hand

I LOVE the ergo! It really works great and supports your back. I spent the whole time shopping with my 20 mo daughter (now about 27 lbs) and she loved being so close to mommy!

M.

Get the Ergo!! We carry my 23 month old (33lbs) and sometimes my 2 month old (11 lbs) in it. It's so comfortable, so easy to load older one. She loves it, and we love it too.

Also have Mei Tai which we use for infant. I think I prefer the Mei Tai for my infant and the Ergo for older one.

Also tried snugli many years ago and used it for a few months and boy did my back ache all the time. I didn't know there were better carriers out there, and couldn't afford to try them all.

Ergo is the way to go.

I use a becco for my 15 month old and we both love it! Dad loves it too. Much easier then a stroller in our opinion!

Hello!
I use a baby sling from Slinglings....when my son was just over a year I was looking for something I could comfortably use for myself and him. It works great, and I wish I had gotten it right from the start! He still loves it...he is now 27 lbs and not such a little guy anymore! So, when he wants me to carry him, it is so much easier to throw it on and give some relief to my back....he even falls asleep in it. I purchased mine on ebay for a really great price...my friend has the Peanut Shell and it is pretty much the same thing. (it has a few little extras like a pocket and a loop to attach a toy I think...also a great find on ebay!) There are many patterns and colors to choose from...some of the Peanut Shells are reversible also.
Chrissy

I have had a Moby wrap, a snugli, an Over the Shoulder baby holder, and a Babyhawk Mei Tai. The Mei Tai is my favorite. I can wear baby front or back for long periods of time.

I really loved the ergo and we used it until my son was about 14 months. I had a friend who still carried her daughter on her back in an ergo until 20 months. The best part for me was that I could nurse him discreetly on the run with the head covering and he would often nap on me . I found that the design of the ergo supported my hips and shoulders better than alot of the other carriers. I havent tried a beco so I cant tell you which one is better.

This isn't exactly a carrier, but it goes with one. I just saw this the other day - http://www.sassandfras.com/ Wished I'd had one a few years back.

Hi!

We bought a Ketly backpack carrier that converts to a stroller. We used it at the state fair this year and LOVED it! THe backpack was comfortable and our 18 mos. old was able to see everything and be up out of the crowd. Then, when we got tired, we coule set him down, pull up and lock the handle and stroll him along without skipping much of a beat. Oh, and when we stopped to eat, we set him down at the end of our table and he was at a good hight to eat right up to the table with us. We think this is one of the best baby gear items we have bought so far and feel that it was worth the $150 we spent. Oh, and we spent a little extra and got the sun/rain shade that attaches. We highly recommend it!

S.

I have a Becco butterfly and like it. It's comfortable and well designed, but I find it difficult to nurse in it. If you don't Breastfeed then this is totally a non-issue, but if you do, then it's something to be aware of. The 4th generation Becco (no longer being made, but some are still on the market), Ergo, Patapum Toddler and Pikkolo are all well designed, but I have heard people with certain body types have difficulty with the individual type carrier, so that's something you'll want to check on (EG some very short ladies have difficulty with the ergo straps being too long, large busted women have trouble with the Becco butterfly chest strap . . .). Check out http://www.thebabywearer.com/ to get more detailed reviews on the pros and cons of different brands of baby carriers.

I have a moby wrap. It is not the quickest to put on, but once it is on, you can leave it on and it is sooooo comfortable.

go to thebabywearer.com definately. it such a great site and there is a large review section. you can also just go to the "choosing and usin" secition and post specific questions and people will be more than happy to help.

tbh, there are so many great carriers out there you will never see in a store. people dont even know they exist, but once you see all your choices, you will be hooked.

for a one year old, def go for a soft structured carrier or mei tai. it will provide the most support for the weight. although ringslings are good for the up and down aspect of a toddler, they def are nowhere near as comfortable for long periods of time. you simply cannot carry weight as comfortable on one shoulder as two. the soft stuctured carriers have a structured waist that brings the weight down to your hips. some people however find a mei tai more comfortable esp considering how adjustable it is. contrary to how they look, they are very easy to use, but i would make sure to get one that people say still work well with an older baby. pouches are now way supportive enough, and wraps are too complicated and i think better suited to younger babies.

i think the beco butterfly is great if you want to use it on your back but are a little worried as the baby is secure in a seat. its also comfortable on the front. ergos are usually either hit or misses but i dont like the way they look at all. why not get something cute! anglepacks are something to check out and bloo kangaroo makes the kanga j and kanga x that get great reviews. olives and applesauce are very liked and people say they are the most comfortable carrier they ever used. its hard since everyone is so different in terms of body shape to know what works. i know they seem pricey but its an investment. you can either scour the fsot board on thebabywearer.com or buy new and if it doesnt work out or when you no longer use it, sell it. if well taken care of, you can get a decent amount back so keep that in mind when looking at prices. good luck, its such a great thing!!!

hi B.,
I went through alot of carriers before I found the right one for me- which was www.hippanda.com I really liked this one because it was very comfortable and easy on/off, buckle release to come off rather than over baby's head. My husband and I used it every day, I would bring my son with me to work and my husband would meet me on his way home and pick him up- very easy to adjust quickly. highly recommend it!! it is good from 15-35lbs. Good luck

LOVE my ergo. Carried my toddler in it until 26 lbs, and now i carry my 7 month old. incredibly comfortable, easy to use, and compact. excellent use of money.

I have the Laskal and love it! It has mesh fabric and extra size adjusters for the baby (so it fits the newborn better and can readjust to fit a bigger baby). I think it's better than the Bjorn. I think it's pretty new still but I really think it's going to be the most popular soon enough!

Ergo all the way. Love it. Used a Bjorn, sling and Ergo. All worked well for different things, but the Ergo worked well for ALL things! Comfy, easy to adjust, distributes weight SO well across the shoulders and waist(there's a reason the design is similar to a serious hiking pack), good for your little one's spine, and will work until they are walking too much to be carried anyway! Still going strong with my 18 mo.

Hi B.,

I used the Baby Bjorn carrier and loved it...my sister in law has a baby sling, she loves that...sometimes it's trial and error, whatever you get, keep your receipt just in case!

Best wishes,
J.

I have an Ergo, Moby, and Hotsling. I like the Ergo the best. I think the Moby and Hotsling are for younger babies. The Ergo is good up to 40 lbs. and very versatile.

This company sells all three styles, as well as a lot of others:
http://www.theslingstation.com/

Here is the Ergo site:
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

I bought an Ergo carrier about 2 months ago and I LOVE IT!
I have tried the Snugli, Baby Bjorn, and a sling and all were uncomfortable and put a strain on my back/neck after wearing them for more than a 1/2 hour. I can wear the Ergo for long periods of time with my now 19lb 7 month old daughter. I primarily use the front carry, but I'm looking forward to using the back carry soon.

I wish I had bought it earlier. I highly recommend it!

I have the Ergo, Moby wrap and Maya wrap and like them all for different reasons. The Moby is comfortable but hot. The ergo is great on the back, but too many buckles for my taste. And the Maya is good for the hip and back, but isnt as comfortable, at least for longer wearing. All 3 can carry up to 35 lbs. I use whatever suits my mood at the time. :)

Ergo is great--have one and love it

i love my ergo, My 15 month old son still goes in it either on front or back. My husband will even wear him.
good luck!

I ADORE my Ergo and can be seen walking all over Ridgefield with my 2 year-old-son in it. It doesn't EVER make my neck sore and it has lasted since my four year-old was one...everyday use...so I think that's pretty sturdy.

I used the Ergo carrier. I liked to wear it as a side carrier so I could carry my toddler on my hip.

I like my sling, it is very versitile & I still use it occasionally with my 2 yr old. You can also check to see if there is a babywearing group near you, they would have tips.

Hello B. J!
For a 1 yr old, I personally liked the Baby Bjorn. I had neck surgery, so have to be very careful about how my babies were balanced and ease of putting them in the carrier (by myself!). I found they both preferred the Bjorn because they could face outward and when tired, face toward me. We also could easily adjust the carrier for my husband.