need a new carrier

[larzanna]

Hey all:

So i have a 4.5 month old DS. He is pretty big, 17 pounds and probably 26 in with very strong legs. I am having a hard time lately with my carriers.

My FAVORITE is just a simple pocket sling, the hugamonkey. Its got a little deaper pocket than a hotsling and no padding and the shoulder is sewn. I love this sling, its SO easy, it and out in 2 seconds flat. Cradle hold, front facing in or out and hip hold. But, since my baby is so flipping big, he is not stiff enough for the hip carry yet, but is too big for the front facing out carry (as in his legs folded up in front of him) i can hear him breathing all hard when i do this now (like how you would breath if you tried to sit and stick your toe in your mouth). And front facing in he has such strong legs that he just stands up.
I have a piccalo by cat bird baby. I just don't like it. I hate all the straps and buckles. I hate that it does not just fold up and fit in a purse, and its not easy to get him in and out of (i HATE looking stupid in a parking lot). My DH has an ergo and loves it.
I had a moby and hated it (he's to big for that anymore anyway)
i looked into a ring sling, but i think it will be the same problem as the pocket ones.
Am i just outta luck until he gets stiff enough and old enough (meaning he does not just fall asleep) for the hip carry?
I just LOVE my simple no frills pocket sling

Any thoughts on slings that i have not discovered that might work.

Thanks
-L

.

[lifeguard]

Have you tried your dh's ergo?

[LianneM]

I'm a pouch lover as well, and have fallen in love with the Ergo. It's not as easy to stick in a purse, true, but everything else about it makes it the best carrier I have and I haven't picked up a different sling since I got it. I have even learned to put DD on my back in the parking lot - I just check her in the reflection of the car window. Love it!

[larzanna]

I am a really small and short person and the Ergo is just TOO bulky for me, i feel overwhelemed by all the padding and fabric. PLus baby likes to be looking out and you can't with the Ergo.
The piccolo that i have was kinda supposed to be my verson of the ergo just less padded and bulky. It is, i just don't like all the straps and buckles.
I currnetly am having all the extra straps shortened on the piccolo so that i don't look so stupid, but i still can't just pop it into a bag, or on and off easy.

Any other suggestions???

[SoCaliMommy]

What about a Pod like this Uhboohbahbaby
They are good for easy in and out and you can still wear baby in front of you if you want, and do hip carries with it also. it's really great for back carries.

[LianneM]

Maybe you could get a mei tai custom made to fit you?

[Adasmommy]

I think a short woven wrap might fill your need here.

A short 3.2 meter wrap would be less length and easier and faster to learn and put on, so you might like it better than the moby.

It would be supportive and comfy now, and for years, so a good investment in case you ended up loving it.

And with the right size, you'd have enough options to fill this current babywearing void, without too much bulk or trouble.

I'm not sure exactly which would be the right size for you, but I'm thinking you'd love one that is long enough to do:
the hip cross carry, which will give you a hip carry supportive enough for a floppy youngster (he can't slip out the bottom)
a kangaroo carry or an abbreviated version of the front wrap cross carry that ties under the bum instead of behind your back
a rucksack carry for a quick, easy back carry whenever you want to go there

[crayon]

There are a lot of wonderful carriers- I would say the larger my kids got the more I love a "non-bulky" soft structured carriers. I find they have way more support for the hips and the shoulders. A good wrap is great- but I loved the SSC for larger kids ;-)

[thtr4me]

Fellow small mama here, and I really liked mei tais when my DS was that size, although he was older when he hit that weight. Although there are longer straps on a mei tai (MT) and it is not quite as quick as a pouch, they are infinitely adjustable, so you won't have the problem that you most likely have with the Ergo, where you cannot get the straps tight enough (I know I had that problem with the Ergo I tried). Babyhawk makes an MT with a headrest that would provide plenty of support until your LO is holding himself up a bit better. And with a little practice, it really won't take much longer than a pouch.

[Prisca]

I agree with the idea of a mei tai. They do have the long straps, however there are some that fold up really small and can fit into a diaper bag. With a little practice they are very easy to use, very supportive and really comfortable.