how to wear my 18 month old

[Chloe'sMama]

She loved the Ergo until about 4 months ago and now likes to walk everywhere. That is except in the house... she wants to be carried everywhere in the house. She does not like the ergo though. I am hoping to get pregnant soon so I would like something that I can use hands free and that won't kill my back (she is about 25 lbs) or my belly would get in the way (once I am pregnant and showing).

I have the moby, k-tan, ergo and a mei tai (that one hurts my back quite a bit already).

I am not apposed to getting a sling or something else, but don't know what I could start with now that she is getting older.

Thanks

[Theia]

For the quick trips, or the multiple ups and downs of a toddler, I used a sling. But I also have a back issue and as long as it was only a few minutes here and there it didn't bother my back anymore than it was already bothered. Granted, I wasn't also pregnant, so maybe it wouldn't have worked. My sling was a SPOC that was given to me as a beach wrap. Tied a knot in it and so many people commented on it, and DD was right there in front where she could see what was going on. You may reconsider it, you try it with little financial investment if you DIY.

Now when my DD used to want to always be up, I'd wear her until I was done. Then I'd put her down and explain why I was doing so. There was usually a tantrum, but she learned. So I made sure that if I was doing something interesting that she wanted to see, that was when I would offer to wear her and soon that became our routine. She's now 22mos and rarely uses the sling at all.

[Quirky]

What is it about the Ergo that she doesn't seem to like? She doesn't want to be on your back, and she wants to be on your hip? The Scootababy hip carrier or a very good, supportive ring sling (like a wrap conversion -- check out www.sleepingbaby.net to see if she has any) might be good options if that's the case. They're not going to be as hands-free as the Ergo but they do allow for quick up-downs and they're not going to put her on your front.