Can you suggest a carrier for me?

[wantads]

I have a 7 mo old that weighs 19lbs and loves to be carried! I love carrying him as well :-) I'm looking for something that isn't too bulky, easy to get on and off, one that he can maybe nurse in and sleep in comfortably. I've seen some reviews on the pikkolo . . . .can you help me sort through this?

I used to be a bjorn mom and want something a that holds him closer, something nicer and more comfortable for baby and I. We are going on vacation in a few weeks and I will need to carry him for most of the day in this carrier so I need a good one!

Please help! THanks mamas!

[Sharajj]

I've used the cuddly wrap and the Ergo with Fiona. The cuddly wrap was great when she was younger but I really love the ergo. I can walk long distances with her on my back without getting sore. I still use it now and she's 29 pounds. She sleeps in it quite contently. You'd obviously have to mover her to the front to nurse. Apparently a lot of moms do that but Fiona didn't like facing me ever so we'd always stop to nurse. lol

[wrenb]

If I were you I'd get a mei tai. They're easy to use and understand, very adjustable, and just as good on your back as on your front. My husband and I both love ours for our little chunker. We're planning a trip next month where we'll take our mei tai and a ring sling, no stroller.

[lucifugous]

My first recommendation is always a wrap. Also, I know the creator of the Pikkolo and she is an awesome mama

[wantads]

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

lucifugous - when you say a wrap, what exactly do you mean?

Is a mei tai hard to use? I'm not sure I'm confident enough to go the tying route???

[wrenb]

Originally Posted by wantads

lucifugous - when you say a wrap, what exactly do you mean?

Is a mei tai hard to use? I'm not sure I'm confident enough to go the tying route???

Most mamas are introduced to wraps via the Moby wrap or other stretchy. It's 5 yards of fabric that you wrap around you and baby to hold them snugly and securely against you. A good woven wrap cannot be beat for comfort and support! For a 17 pound babe you'd want a woven at this point. Imagine a really long stripy tablecloth -- that's the sort of fabric. I love mine, but there is a learning curve.

A mei tai, in contrast, is like a place mat with long straps. I find it really intuitive to use. To carry a baby on my front, I do the following. Tie the short bottom straps around my waist. Hold baby facing me with his legs straddling my torso. I pull the body of the MT (imagine a large placemat) up his back so that it's like a chair for him. The top straps then go over my shoulders, cross securely across my back, and come around my waist to tie under his bum. Very very simple. I can do a similar carry on my back with straps that do not cross my chest, so it looks like a backpack.

[Quirky]

A Pikkolo is a wonderful carrier, but keep in mind that you'd want to add on the support belt as well when factoring in costs.

My recommendation would be to go for the buckle carrier -- there are many great brands out there such as Ergo, Patapum, AngelPack, Olives and Applesauce, BabyHawk Oh Snap.....I think they're more supportive in the long run than a mei tai because of the hip belt and quicker on/off as well. I do love mei tais for smaller babies, but I think you'll get longer use out of a buckle carrier, and have a lower learning curve as well.