Good, simple carrier for big baby??

[LadyCatherine185]

DS will be 6 mo next week and he is now 21 lbs. I am a small person, 5'1", and with him being so big it is hard for me to wear him. He outgrew his peanut shell sling LONG ago, and is now outgrowing his other carrier (evenflo snuggly, same as a baby bjorn). I need to get a new carrier that is good for a bigger babe, as well as simple to put on and off. I have tried a moby, and hated the putting on, taking off, etc. Also have tried the Ergo, and it is also a bit complicate, but if it is the best I'm going to find then I may settle for that.

What do you suggest??

[Dov'sMom]

I'm happy with my Maya wrap for my 25 pounder (I even carry my 2 yo sometimes). I only recently started putting him on my back in it, and it works, though I prefer a MT for back carries.

[syd'smom]

What did you find complicated about the ergo? I was goin to suggest an ssc like an ergo or an aplx. They are good for both front and back carries and distribute the weight well. A mei tai is great too, but does have longer straps. A moby is a great newborn carrier, but most people find it starts sagging and gets uncomfprtable around 15-20lbs. I've tried heaps of ssc's if you have any questions!

[Drummer's Wife]

I was going to say an Ergo because it seems the least bit complicated to me. I just now finally got one (after avoiding one for years) and have to say it's very comfy for my 25+ lb toddler and it's far easier to use than my Beco Butterfly, Babyhawk Mei Tai or other carriers I have/have used. Just clip the waist strap on, toss baby on my back (he know's the drill) and pull the arm straps on. It's like putting a back pack on. very quick and easy.

[pixiepunk]

a agree, an SSC is usually the easiest. i, too, am curious what you didn't like about the Ergo - it will help us to figure out whether it was aspects that are isolated to the Ergo (thus making a recommendation for a different SSC) or if they're general to SSC's, in which case a mei tai might be a better choice. or a half-buckle carrier perhaps.

all my LO's have been huge, so i know how you feel. for the 25lbs+ kid, i think a SSC offers the most support for the wearer. a larger bodied mei tai (like a Kozy) made of a sturdy fabric like cotton canvas would be my next choice.

and ITA, i think a Moby is not a good choice with a child that size. i stop liking stretchy wraps at about 15 lbs myself. a woven wrap might work for you, something sturdy like a Storchenweige. but i find wraps to be a harder learning curve than MT's or SSC's, so they wouldn't be my first recommendation since they're a little fiddly to get the hang of.

[karika]

kozycarrier is the one i like

http://www.kozycarrier.com i used it from 6 mo to 3 yo with dd 1. i love the simple design (if you sew you could make one) the sturdiness yet comfortable. i had to wait a bit for mine, but maybe she increased her sewers by now.... 1 handed typing, playin poker and pottying baby all at same time. mothers=multitaskers....

[LadyCatherine185]

I only tried the Ergo once, and didn't hate it, but some of the straps were sort of out of reach for me to easily slip it on and off. But of course with time I'm sure I'd get it figured out! I got spoiled with the Snuggly, all the straps and things were right there in front of me and easily reachable. Also, I am mainly looking for a front carrier. Thanks for the replies so far!

ETA: what is an SSC?

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

I only tried the Ergo once, and didn't hate it, but some of the straps were sort of out of reach for me to easily slip it on and off. But of course with time I'm sure I'd get it figured out! I got spoiled with the Snuggly, all the straps and things were right there in front of me and easily reachable. Also, I am mainly looking for a front carrier. Thanks for the replies so far!

ETA: what is an SSC?

SSC=soft structured carrier like an Ergo or Beco etc

The Ergo and other SSCs work great for front carries, but I really encourage you to try back carries with a big baby. As he gets heavier carrying in front will get harder on you. Back carrying is easier on your back IME plus it's much more convenient for getting stuff done. It's not as hard or as scary as you might imagine to learn. Plus it's kind of fun to see everyone looking at you in awe for having a kid on your back

Getting dd on my back in a Beco Butterfly is very simple. Put the carrier on a chair (or on the bed of my truck), put dd in the carrier, sit down in front of her, slip the shoulder straps on and stand up then buckle the waist belt.

[pixiepunk]

aaah - forgot the Butterfly! that's probably going to be your easiest learning curve for a SSC especially for trying back carries. and they're very easy to find, new or used.

[mrsshunk]

Maya wrap ring sling. Highly adjustable and once I got the feel of it, very easy to use. I can carry my 5 mo. old or my 2 year old in it without any trouble.