Help me pick a SSC

[txbikegrrl]

Please help, I'm looking for something to use with a 6mo big (20 pound, 95%ile) baby. Ideally something we can use until she is a toddler.

I want to be able to carry her on my back when we go to the beach and possibly Disney (CA) next month. Maybe use it when I start walking again in the fall also. I used to walk for an hour or so on a neighborhood path. (Is this unreasonable to think about doing with a baby who will be crawling for sure and possibly walking?)

It has to be something very easy to use. Things like the Moby just frustrate me and even though I understand the MT not so good at tying it so I'd like buckles. Something that can be all set up and ready to just put on and slip the baby in it! We tried MT and ring sling with DS but like I said MT not for me and with heavy babies the ring sling was only ocassionally helpful. This time I have used a Bjorn a few times don't want to use it a LOT because I know it's not supposed to be great for the LO but it has been the best for us in terms of ease of use. I really need something THAT simple!

I'm pretty big like size 16 but my chest is enormous right now and will continue to be until we wean per past experience.

Thoughts?!? TIA!

Sorry -- Meant to also say that I've tried "older model" Ergo and Beco carriers. Ergo seemed to too short, like DD would fall out if she got restless on my back. I liked the Beco better but not enough to run out and buy one immediately. I saw a carrier online that said you could face the baby OUT on your back which DH thought would be a huge advantage but don't know anyone IRL who had even heard of it.

[Carrruth]

It may be worth looking at a toddler carrier, like the Oh Snap or Boba. Those will both last for a long time and the body panel on them is nice and tall (not like the Ergo) and can be worn until 45 lbs. Otherwise, there are a lot of really simple and comfortable SSCs you could use that will last until your little one is 35 lbs. I have know people to use AngelPacks and Action Baby Carriers with toddler. There are more too, I just can't think of them right now, darn pregnancy brain! Hopefully some other people will have some suggestions for you.

I'm not sure which forward facing carrier you saw, but in general, they are usually "crotch danglers" and not recommended, especially with a bigger, heavier baby. It just wouldn't be comfortable to have all that pressure on their crotch. It may take a little while, but babies are generally pretty content to look out the sides of a carrier once they are used to it.

Good luck!

[MommaShark]

Boba!

[sarahdavida]

I´m not familiar with Boba, but I love my Beco (even though it was pricey, I´m very happy with it and felt I got what I paid). DS is 3 yo and about 32 lbs now and I just gave it another try for an upcoming trip and he fits in it great - I couldn´t believe how comfortable it still was...

[busymama77]

I've heard good things about all of them. There's also the O&A's that will last you up to 45lbs. Good luck on your search!! I just ended mine the other day and bought an ABC from a nice mama on TBW. But my little guy is only 3.5 months, but he's becoming a chunker.

[candelaria80]

We are Boba lovers here as well. It is the most comfy carrier we have ever used (and we have used many ).

[2ID_Wife]

Boba or Oh snpa if you want off the shelf ordering. I love my Kanga and dream carrier for my toddlers an preschoolers but they are wahm made and can be harder to get.

[txbikegrrl]

Okay, so I'm STILL trying to decide. The Boba looks interesting but no facing out forward option is making me hesitate. What about a Pikkolo? Any drawbacks I should know about? It looks more complicated and I definitely need simple. Maybe I should stick with a Beco?

I'd like to be able to walk around on the beach/boardwalk also Disney on our upcoming vacation. It would be nice to be able to nurse on the go also...

[Aufilia]

I have a Pikkolo and love it. I had an Ergo once and found it to have way too many buckles and adjustments; the Pikkolo is comparatively easy. Just a waist strap and one over each shoulder. DS is 8mo and tall for his age (like 90%+ for height) and he fits in ours nicely. The back comes up to his neck. It's quite comfortable.

There's a girl in my baby group who wears her son outward-facing in a Pikkolo. You can adjust the width of the seat so it's definitely do-able, though I haven't done it myself. I wore DD outward-facing in the Moby and after that she was never happy facing in, which I found to be a problem in the long term.

[~savah~]

Originally Posted by candelaria80

We are Boba lovers here as well. It is the most comfy carrier we have ever used (and we have used many ).

[2ID_Wife]

Really the facing out isn't the best for baby, it gives odd spine support.
The new becco should do facing out though

[cristeen]

At 20 lbs, and doing a lot of walking, you're probably going to want that babe on your back, and not your front anyway.

I have 2 carriers from Two Momma's Designs, a half-buckle tai (buckle at the waist and long straps at the top) - this one is great for lots of walking. The main drawback is that I can't get it on by myself when we're out - I just can't figure it out. The top straps can be wrapped whatever way works best for you - many moms like the rucksack carry, but I prefer crossing it across my chest. For long periods of time, or lots of walking, this is the one I would reach for - and he's comfortably slept in it at 9 mos. He's about 20 lbs and extremely tall (taller than your avg 18 mo). I also have a TMD onbuhimo. I love this one for running errands. I can get him up onto my back all by myself while we're out. It doesn't have the waist/hip support that the tai does, all the weight is on the shoulders/back, but for ease this one is great. I wouldn't use it for long walks, but as a complement to the stroller it would work really well.

I wouldn't bother with an outward facing carry at all - it's really not good for their spine. It may seem convenient to you, but really, my LO can see just about everything when he's facing me anyway - all he has to do is turn his head.

[txbikegrrl]

Thanks for all the input. I just found out there is a local shop that has a few of these options. Hopefully I can get there this week. My plan is definitely for almost exclusively back carrying out of the house. Around here I thought having the baby in front being able to interact with her big brother would be a good option for a few minutes here or there but I guess in the end not a deal breaker...

[2ID_Wife]

With a good seat they can interact facing you, and it is easy for them to block out things if they are tired too.
You are lucky to have a store with options local, have fun checking them out.

[InMediasRes]

I just recently ordered a Beco and a Boba and I can't decide which one I like more. My babe is 16mo, tall and almost 30lbs.

Pros about Beco: the internal harness makes a back carry really easy for beginners. The buckles are really easy to adjust, the back is nice and tall and I don't feel like leaning is an issue. It can be used with an infant if you want to use it for subsequent children (I didn't feel like this was a selling point as I have other carriers that I really like for an infant). The arm straps are nice and long, so it doesn't rub under your armpits. I also really like that the headrest has a carry slot so that you can keep everything together.

Cons: The internal harness kinda gets in the way for me since I'm pretty experienced at back carries. It's also HOT having extra fabric between you and baby.

Pros about Boba: I felt like it was slightly more comfy for my build than the Beco, but it may be an adjustment issue for me. The footrests I thought I might never use, but DD fell asleep in it today, and putting her little dangling feet in the footrests was really nice.

Cons: My DH absolutely can't wear it. The arm straps are much shorter than the Beco and they rub him like crazy.

I've worn them both for longer excercise type walks and they are both really comfy and DD loves them both.

[titania8]

i love my twomommasdesigns buckle tais. i've had 2. what i love about them- i can cross the straps in back when doing a front carry and i can nurse easily in a front carry. i wear the carrier around my waist, just hanging down when my toddler is walking around, but i can just pick him up and pop him on my back when he's ready. the straps are not thick and bulky like some of the others i've tried. the mamas who make these are super awesome, and would make the body as long as you want it. i occasionally wear my 4.5 yo on my back.

good luck with your shopping, and have fun on your trip.