carrier for active toddler?

[wombatclay]

Help!

My now 20mo basically lived in the Ergo for the first year and a quarter. She loved it, adored it, wore it to scraps of chewed on fabric. But starting a few months ago she wanted to be more independent, getting up and down and up and down and screaming her head off if I "confined" her to the Ergo. However, she still wants to be carried most of the time... she just doesn't want to be "held" in place. She isn't super heavy (about 25lbs) but I'm pregnant and need something more than arms/hip.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[ElaynesMom]

What about a ring sling? I haven't worn while pregnant as I only have the one kid, so I'm not sure how well it will work for you. It's not as "confining" as the ergo however and would be good for quick up/downs that toddlers love most likely

[wombatclay]

Hmmm... I use a ring sling when the kiddos are tiny, but once they hit 15 or so pounds it's not too comfy for me. But that is for "long haul" carrying so maybe the up/down wouldn't be so bad. When dd1 started doing this she only wanted to be carried for a minute or two at a time so that's kind of what I expected with dd2. But of course dd2 wants to be carried for 10-15 minutes at a stretch, she just doesn't want to feel like she "couldn't" be walking if the spirit suddenly moved her.

I'll give the sling a try though!

[mommyto3girls]

Hmm, I was going to suggest an Angel Pack LX in a back carry or some other ssc based off of your subject, but thats what you were using. I loved it for toddlers because it distributed the weight and once I would buckle the waist I would just slide the shoulder straps on and off to pick up or let down.

[baturay]

For those short type of carries where the toddler wants to be up and down often, I like using a ring sling. I too do not like ring slings (or any other one shoulder carrier) for long carries with a heavy toddler, but for the short carries, I'm not wearing it for more than 15 minutes at a time, so I like it for that. But, I've also recently started getting into short woven wraps that I wear like a ring sling (called rebozo carry) and I'm so liking that a whole lot better than a ring sling, which is huge, because I love ring slings. I find that I get more support from a short wrap than I do with a ring sling, so am able to carry a heavy toddler in it longer than I could with a ring sling. I also like that I can use that same short wrap as a back carrier. Versatile! I'm pregnant too (currently 37 weeks) and have a 2 year old that I carry. I've been using a woven wrap (either short or long) all this time. I need total support and uber weight distribution when pregnant and nothing beats a good woven wrap for that.

[wombatclay]

Do you have a specific brand(s) you like? I'd be happy to try one out... my only concern would be that dd2 might feel equally confined by a wrap.

Like, I can have the ergo just hanging around my waist and she's happy to be carried "on top" of the ergo... but if I pull a strap up to support the weight she gets upset because there is now fabric against her back/side "holding" her in. It's driving me nutty!

[baturay]

She might be going through a phase right now. Both of my kids have been there where they don't want to be carried in a carrier at all. Usually takes some sort of playfulness on my part...sometimes a treat to get them up there. But, then the phase passes.

Right now, I've been using mostly my Hoppediz short wrap (it's about 2.5m). I can do rebozo (hip carry like a ring sling) and a back carry with it and tie it under the bum in the back carry. With a little bit longer (though still a short wrap), I can do a back carry and tie in the front. I also have a Neobulle short wrap that I use for that. Check out my siggy link and send me a PM or email (through the site) if you have any questions. I also co-lead a very active babywearing group in the area, so I'm always happy to help.

Here's an older photo of me carrying my son on my back. He's able to have his arms out in this back carry, so it's there's no fabric going over his shoulder at all. I can also pull it up if needed to go over his shoulder too.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...mcamera175.jpg

[AnnesMoM]

Maybe you could use a taller SSC? My ds tries to throw himself backwards, and bounces, and "dances" in his carrier so I use a taller carrier that he can't escape from.

[LaughingHyena]

I just got one of these hipseats http://www.hippychick.com/ for my 2 YO. It's great for taking the weight off my arms and easy to get him up and down.

It's defiantly not hands free and it was difficult holding on to him the the other day when he didn't want to be carried. But for short trips to school it's been well worth it.

I don;t know how well it would work when pregnant though as it does have to be fairly tight around the waist.

[PiePie]

I've got the same problem as the OP.