Side Sling or Wrap for 20+ Lbs 7Mo Old

I loved using a Mei Tai with my daughter when she got older. I also have a Beco Baby for long walks. The thing I love about the Mei Tai is that you can do a bunch of different carries, front, back, hip. Some of the Mei Tai are specifically designed for older babies/toddlers. I also just used a wrap to carry her on my back from time to time.

I highly recommend this type of baby wrap. It spreads the weight around more evenly, especially distributing the weight to your hips and legs, instead of on your shoulders, making the carrying much more comfortable.

http://www.attachedtobaby.com/Baby-Wraps-C3.aspx
http://www.slingsilove.com/woven-wraps/cat_11.html
http://metromamma.com/v/metrowrap.html
http://slingsavvy.wordpress.com/

There is also this carrier library where you can go to try on different types of carriers, to see which one fits your situation the best...

http://www.dupageslingers.com/slinglibrary

And there is also this place where you can go to ask questions like yours...

http://www.thebabywearer.com/

Best wishes,
J.

Kangarookorner.com has great slings, although my favorite sling is a Zolo with a zippered pocket. Very handy. I liked pouch slings for my daughter when she was smaller, but as she got bigger, I liked the ring slings more. Remember to switch of sides and not carry him on the same hip all the time. If you're still using the sling when he's bigger, you can even slide him around to your back.

The best most comfy carrier for an older child imo is an Ergo. It takes a little practice to get it right but the child truly feels like part of your body. You can wear on the hip, on the back or on the front. They are not cheap, but they are worth it. Sometimes you can find a used one on ebay for a more reasonable price (this is how I got mine).

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

I am also petite and use the angelpack lx. It's similar to the Ergo but not as bulky. My son loves it and it doesn't hurt my back like the bjorn. I ordered mine online from www.quirkybaby.com. Jane, owner of quirky baby is happy to answer any questions via phone or email. You can also compare different carriers on www.thebabywearer.com. I researched these for months until I settled on the angelpack, and I really love it. Good luck!

I have a 7 month old daughter who weighs about 18 lbs. and I've been carrying her in an Adjustable Pouch from www.kangarookorner.com since she was born. I'm pretty small and do not have a strong back and my sling is great.

Hi J.,

I am neither petite & my little guy has always been on the little side, and I found that when he weighed around 15-16 lbs, my back would get sore quickly. I own a Maya Wrap, which I like OK, but if I had another child, I am certain I would try the ERGO from the beginning. I keep hearing how you can carry a child up to 40 lbs. & that it is "easy" on the back. With the Maya Wrap, I still get sore sometimes & feel like I am always having to mess with the tail, make adjustments, etc. My guy has always been on the small side, so when he was very young, it felt like he was getting lost in the sling. Even now, in a side/hip carry position, I feel like his little bottom is so small that I have to readjust him frequently. He's 17 mos old now & about 22 lbs and VERY active, so carrying him around is not much of an issue these days. Other moms I know of slightly older toddlers who like to be carried a lot do use the Ergo successfully.

Good luck!

you should check out the ergo baby carrier. my little guy was very big for his age too and quickly grew out of the baby bjorn. the ergo carrier holds babies up to 40 pounds and can be worn on your side front or back. everyone i know swears by them!

hope that helps :)
G.

for bigger babies I really like something that distributes the weight on your hips and across both shoulders. I would go for an Ergo Baby Carrier or something similar. I really like wrap slings too, but as your boy gets older and more mobile he will want to get up and down, in and out, and will be wiggly. When this happens (usually around 12 months) you will want something that is fast and easy to get on and off. (And wrap slings are NOT fast since they require tying and adjusting).

As others have said, the Ergo is great! I wear my 21 month old, 33 lb twins (not at the same time!) using the Ergo all the time without any back or shoulder pain.

MAYA RING SLING!!!

It can hold up to 30+ lbs and is super comfortable, especially if you get the one with the shoulder pad. They are expensive, but you can find them on ebay or a consignment shop for less.

Its a lifesaver andyou can wear the baby on your front, hip, or back! It is super easy to get them IN and OUT, which for an active baby is a must...

We love our Ergo and I carry our toddler on my back alot. While it's harder to get a younger baby on your back by yourself, with practice it can be done. You can use it for a hip hold too, but I use a ring sling for that. Be By Baby on Lincoln Ave in Chicago sells Ergos and they probably have some ring slings too. I think Be By Baby also has a sling class which would give you the opportuniy to try on different slings with your baby.

Get an ERGO! You can carry him on your hip or on your back. It works for toddlers as well. Or, a ring sling/pouch. I love the ones from www.wallababy.com.

Tons of my friends swear by the Maya Wrap (you can find it on line) for carrying their older babies on their hips. Good luck!

I would try Sleepy Wrap - it is AWESOME as you are wearing your baby but there are no harnesses or pressure points! Good for your baby and good for you :)