Anyone carrying a 3 or 4 year old?

[WinterStar]

My dd is 3.5, but she's big - tall, and a good size.

She still wants carrying and I really struggle to do it unaided for more than 30 seconds. We always used a pouch (the new native) and that was fine, but I struggle to get her in it now.

I have a mei tai, but it never feels very comfy or secure. I have an ergo, but I can't get her into it without help.

And I'd really like to be able to see her if possible......although I'll settle for just being able to carry her!

Any suggestions? What do other people use?

[MamaKickyPants]

So with a kid that big, probably the only way it will be comfy for you is in a back carry.

The Ergo is a good option, as it has a structured waist. Put the carrier around the waist, buckled in front, so the body us hanging back down over your bum. Have your daughter climb up on a chair and hang on like a piggy back ride - you can bend over so she's sort of lying on your back - her tummy to your back. Then reach back and grab one of the shoulder straps and flip the body up over your DDs back, put on one shoulder strap, put on the other and you're ready to go.

You could use the same method for a meitai, but you might want to look into what's called a 'scandinavian style' or 'scandi' style MT, they have bigger bodies, and a super padded waist strap and are great for bigger kids.

Head over the www.thebabywearer.com. there are lots of mamas there who wear their preschoolers and can give you more advice.

[Quirky]

I think the Ergo is a great choice for toddlers -- I still carry my 4.5 year old in it some days. The key is getting her bum all the way down in the seat darts so that the body height is maximized. At this age she can hang on herself so it should be fairly easy to learn to do a back carry -- just practice over a bed or a couch, in front of a mirror.

If you want to do hip carries, I think the Scootababy is a great choice and very easy to use. Much more supportive and secure than a pouch for big kids. You can even scoot the child around onto your back for back carries.

[WinterStar]

Thanks for your replies

I guess I'll have to have a determined go with the ergo again. In theory it sounds so easy, I don't know why we couldn't master it. I could never get her legs to come through in the right place for some reason.

I will try again, thanks

[ReadingRenee]

I used to carry my 3 year old in our wrap all the time. It was an Ellaroo which is supposed to be one of the thinner less supportive wraps as well. I know there are stronger thicker wraps that are supposed to be more supportive. I also would put her in the front facing me with no problem. And she was very tall for her age.

I have no more comfortable carriers than my wrap. Of course I have yet to try a mei tai or an ergo.

[earthmama369]

I still carry my 3-year-old, and sometimes my 4.5-year-old, in our BabyHawk mei tai. I went for the extra long option when I ordered it, so it still works well with them.

[honey-lilac]

We use our toddlerhawk all the time. The upper weight limit for our babyhawk was 25 lbs and I noticed it was fraying in the seams. The Toddlerhawk holds up just fine!

[SunShineSally]

I carried Ds in my Kozy at least until about 4 he is 5 now and my fiance had him in it the other day I had no problems and I have a bad shoulder!

[tinyblackdot]

Try a Kanga-XT or a Babies Beyond Boarders Toddler Carrier.

The Kanga can go up to 5 or more years old!

[SaraMum]

The Patapum toddler carrier is designed for larger kids, my son is only two and a half but he has plenty of room to grow

[Sheryl1678]

I still carry my 4yo in a pouch but I do not try to put her inside the pouch. I keep the pouch closed and sort of sit her on the doubled up fabric as a little hip seat. I still have to keep one hand on her but it works fantastic since I am wearing the pouch all the time for my baby anyway so I can just pop big sister in whenever someone else is carrying the little one.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by WinterStar

Thanks for your replies

I guess I'll have to have a determined go with the ergo again. In theory it sounds so easy, I don't know why we couldn't master it. I could never get her legs to come through in the right place for some reason.

I will try again, thanks

I used to have the problem and it has a super easy fix. Put one strap over your shoulder, put her on your other hip then with the hand that has the strap on the shoulder reach around and back though where you want her leg to come out and grab her foot. Then swing her around to your back while holding her foot and pulling it though. Gets her right into position easy. Just a tip, put her shoes on after she's in if she will be wearing them. Otherwise they get caught in the straps while putting her on your back. I've done it this way since I got an Ergo when she was about 6 months old and now at 3 it still works great for getting her in.

If you watch the back carry video on the Ergo website they show her reaching back to grab the babys leg http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/support/instructions

[WinterStar]

I only just noticed these replies, thanks everyone! I'm going to perservere with the slings I've already got, although they are all currently being shipped so frustratingly I can't try out the suggestions.

Sitting her *on* the pouch is interesting, I can't picture that but I will definitely try it!

And thanks for the tip about the ergo, I think that might be the answer. I always started with her on my back, starting on the side and then reaching my arm through the right place could work. Can't wait to try it out!

Thanks again

[mimid]

my 3 yos still ask on occassion to be be carried. I've found that as the get bigger a woven wrap or SSC are the best. I could never get the hang of RS or pouches.

I don't have an Ergo (actually my sister has permanently borrowed it) but with other SSCs, I put the waist belt on and let it hang, then have the girls get into a piggy back position with their legs pretty high. (They know if they don't cooperate the have to walk.) Then I pull the back up and slip my arms in. I feel her butt to make sure it is snug in the fabric and do a couple bounces until I'm satisfied and then tighten the shoulder straps. It is a lot easier to do now that they are older and can hold on well and cooperate.

[kay4]

yes, but not on a regular basis. My dd is 5 and loves to sling still. All I have is a maya and have worn her at a concert, at the zoo etc. Not on a day to day basis but for things like that...