Really can't decide what SSC or MT....Please Help

[Munchkingirl]

(I posted this at Babywearing, but thought I should throw it out here as well)


Okay, I have been looking through the reviews and boards as much as possible trying to choose between a SSC or a MT. I think I have managed to decide on a SSC at this point, but I want to be open to a MT if needed. Here is the story:

I have a 6mo 15# and a 2.5 yr old 32#. I have used a ring sling with ds2 and ds3. I also use a wrap with ds3 (not often as he is 32# now) and dd4 for newborn/beginning comfort. DS 1 and 2 were pretty much fine in or out of sling and not very "fussy" so I used the swing when I cleaned the house and such. DD is a different creature and I can never put her down....ever....so I wrapped her in the front up till now. She is grabbing everything and getting bigger. I have been trying to learn back carries with the wrap, but so far not super successful. Also, we are having a few toddler issues with ds3 (2.5yro) that I think we would be able to help if I began wearing him more for a variety of reasons. I can not do that with what I have long term.

Ideally, I would like a carrier that can carry either ages at a given time and one that can be worn with other carriers if I needed to carry both at the same time. (does that make sense?)

Tell me your top two for each kind, pros and cons, best of's: comfort and position, long term wear, price, style, company issues, anything you can think of. I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks, Tara

(P.S. I am 5'2" and a tad fluffy at 150 w/pg weight)

[Munchkingirl]

Do I have too many choices? I think I am leaning toward the pikkolo because it has a longer body (for toddler). I don't know...anybody use one (or have)?

On another note I tried wearing them both in a wrap using the tibetan...toddler on back, baby in front in the cross...it was doable for about 30 minutes. But toddler complained that it hurt his legs (I had to have it tight to keep them both secure) so I have got to make a decision and buy something soon. :P

[baturay]

Well, it really really depends if you prefer to buckle something on or if you are ok with tying. That really determines if you should get a SSC or mei tai. Another thing that will narrow it down is the budget, as SSC tend to be a lot more than mei tais. There's a new SSC though that is even cheaper than some mei tais. It's called The Hiker.

You can do your 2.5 in your back with the SSC or mei tai and then have the baby in your front in the wrap. That works really well for carrying two. When I've done it, I liked using a mei tai and wrap.

[littlemizflava]

pikkolo all the way i love it.

pro's
very easy to adjust the straps. (i have watched vids of othere ssc pikkolo is very easy)
easy to adjust the size and style for each of the children.
easy to put on even in a back carry with NO help.
comfortable even with a 40lb sleeping tall 2.5 year.
hood is easy to put up.
i actaully love this carrier all the way

con's
does not fold as small as a unpadded mt
does not have any pocket to hold things ( i made a mt with a pocket b4 getting a pikkolo)
there is no loops for pulling the straps ( i like that feature in my backpack)

yes these are all my complaints about the pikkolo and i have had mine for almost 3 years.

[crayon]

We loved our MT's but the second I had my SSC I was in heaven! It is so easy and I think becaue of the structured hip belt and the webbing it holds a larger (#30 + ) child really sung and well. No slippage.

[gillibean]

I said pikkolo but I've never tried it in real life. I love the adjustability of it though and I'd love to get one. I wouldn't recommend a Beco butterfly 2. I had one make a brief stop here and it just seemed so confusing and finicky - definitely not for me.

[thtr4me]

Out of the two choices, MT or SSC, I am an MT girl all the way. I actually prefer wraps to MT's but that is a whole other thread.

I am fairly petite, and just found that most SSC straps did not tighten down enough to give me a good fit. MT's on the other hand are infinetely adjustable, so I have never had that problem with an MT. Since you want something that you can use with your older heavier toddler as well as your younger baby, I would recommend an MT with a lightly padded waist and padded shoulder straps. I know Bamberoo makes one like that, and there are quite a few others out there as well, but names are not coming to me at the moment.

[ann_of_loxley]

Other - I LOVE my beansling...I would highly recommend one. The best ever. I love it over my Kozy! lol