Baby Carrier Clicky (which should I get?)

Manderlin923

I already have a sleepwrap (similar to moby) and a maya ring sling. I have a VERY heavy almost 9 month old and would like something very supportive and comfortable, able to do front or back carrying. I asked before and some of these were suggested, I also did a little more research and hopefully one of these is a good fit for us. I would rather not spend a bajillion dollars so the cheaper the better as long as it's a good carrier! And I'm hoping for convenience in getting it on and off.

Here are the choices, with approximate costs. WDYT??? 

 

[Poll]

ncbelle

These aren't on your list but with a heavy 9 month old, I'd go ahead an upgrade to a mei tai with a padded waist like a Kindercarry or Bamberoo - FSOT on thebabywearer is your best shot at getting one since they sell out quickly on their sites (plus they are cheaper that way!).

If you want to go buckles...If you have a tall kid and want to be able to use through toddlerhood, you may want to look into one of the taller SSCs like the babyhawk ohsnap or the boba.  The ergo and beco have shorter bodies - while they are great carriers, you may not find them as comfy for your kiddo as he gets older (since you said he's big) - like it could get hard for him to sleep in them as he gets closer to 2.

HTH!

Manderlin923

ncbelle:

These aren't on your list but with a heavy 9 month old, I'd go ahead an upgrade to a mei tai with a padded waist like a Kindercarry or Bamberoo - FSOT on thebabywearer is your best shot at getting one since they sell out quickly on their sites (plus they are cheaper that way!).

If you want to go buckles...If you have a tall kid and want to be able to use through toddlerhood, you may want to look into one of the taller SSCs like the babyhawk ohsnap or the boba.  The ergo and beco have shorter bodies - while they are great carriers, you may not find them as comfy for your kiddo as he gets older (since you said he's big) - like it could get hard for him to sleep in them as he gets closer to 2.

HTH!

Oh boy...I feel like I did when I started cloth diapering- very  overwhelmed! 

You just gave me so many good tips but now I'm more confused lol...I haven't heard of most of those. Guess it's back to researching for me. What is FSOT mean? And a mei tai is a TYPE of sling not a brand of sling, is that right? And what is an SSC? If you don't mind answering my dumb questions I'd appreciate it

And yes, he is tall- in the 98th percentile at our last appointment. 

GypsyEsq

I second ncbelle - Bamberoo makes a great SSC (soft-structured carrier, i.e., Ergo-like) and mei tai.  I have a Bamberoo SSC and the padded waist really helps with distributing weight and the body is wider than my Ergo which I really like.  Also the shoulder straps are curved which I find more comfortable.  A mei-tai is a type of baby carrier - the Freehand and Babyhawk on your list are both mei-tais.  But, Babyhawk makes an Oh Snap carrier which is an SSC (also called buckle carriers).  It can be overwhelming but joining thebabywearer.com forums and perusing their for-sale-or-trade (FSOT) board lets you see what's available, chat with mamas that have tried lots of carriers, and make a best guess choice of what will work for you.  And, at least for me, seeing that many carriers hold their value well helped me take the plunge and buy, I knew if it didn't work out I could re-sell for a small "loss" and count that as my carrier rental fee.  HTH!

ncbelle

I remember that feeling well!

FSOT is the for sale or trade forum on thebabywearer.com - great place to buy if you don't mind used.

A mei tai is a type of carrier - one with straps for the waist and shoulders.  The babyhawk and freehand are great - but they won't be as comfortable with a heavy kid as one with a padded waist.  The padded waist helps transfer the weight to your hips which makes a big difference as you get over 20 pounds or so.

A SSC is a soft structured or buckle carrier - has buckles on the waist and shoulders.  I'm no SSC expert but what I've heard from those who are is that the ergo and beco tend to get too short for taller toddlers.  Not sure how long you are hoping to use it for but since he's already 9 months, you are probably better off getting something that is designed for a toddler.  There are other good SSCs for toddlers but the Babyhawk OhSnap and the Boba are easy to find at online stores.

ncbelle

And to clarify on something Gypsy added so that what I said doesn't confuse you!

Bamberoo makes both mei tais and SSCs.  Kindercarry also makes both (although her SSC is called the Kinderpack) - these are tough to snag though but fabulous carriers.  We have a bamberoo mei tai and it's awesome.

Manderlin923

ncbelle:

I remember that feeling well!

FSOT is the for sale or trade forum on thebabywearer.com - great place to buy if you don't mind used.

A mei tai is a type of carrier - one with straps for the waist and shoulders.  The babyhawk and freehand are great - but they won't be as comfortable with a heavy kid as one with a padded waist.  The padded waist helps transfer the weight to your hips which makes a big difference as you get over 20 pounds or so.

A SSC is a soft structured or buckle carrier - has buckles on the waist and shoulders.  I'm no SSC expert but what I've heard from those who are is that the ergo and beco tend to get too short for taller toddlers.  Not sure how long you are hoping to use it for but since he's already 9 months, you are probably better off getting something that is designed for a toddler.  There are other good SSCs for toddlers but the Babyhawk OhSnap and the Boba are easy to find at online stores.

Thank you both!!! I will check all that out and hopefully one of these days PIP of me and my babe with the new carrier  

GypsyEsq

Good luck!  And also, thebabywearer has a regional board too (that's not what it's called but I can't remember the exact name) you might be able to find a babywearing group in your city (or nearby) and try some out before you buy.  At our babywearing meeting this weekend in DFW we had a kinderpack, two or three ergos, a bamberoo SSC (I think maybe two actually) and a beco.  It was great to see first hand how different they all were and see how they might work with a particular mama and her baby.

Manderlin923

ncbelle:

And to clarify on something Gypsy added so that what I said doesn't confuse you!

Bamberoo makes both mei tais and SSCs.  Kindercarry also makes both (although her SSC is called the Kinderpack) - these are tough to snag though but fabulous carriers.  We have a bamberoo mei tai and it's awesome.

Okay thanks

I am blaming you now for the amount of money I'm going to spend- I've already been seduced by the babyhawk oh snap- the patterns and colors are amazing! 

shainababygirl

Whatever you buy, I would definitely buy used (from FSOT or through a local BWing group) and I would try my HARDEST to try stuff on before I used it.

I bought an Ergo after I tried it on in the store for 5 minutes. I hate it (okay, hate's a strong word... greatly dislike it). It might be okay for back carries for us, but front carries are NOT comfy. It's just my body type and the Ergo don't match. Other people LOVE theres. 

I then bought a used Beco Butterfly 1 on FSOT for $70 something. I like it a LOT better, but still don't love it. 

I made my own DIY 'woven' and LOVE it. It cost me about $15. I'm now looking into to purchasing a "real" woven eventually. 

So... become familiar with FSOT board, and don't be scared to buy used! I plan on selling my Ergo on there once I get the post counts up!

ncbelle

Gypsy and Shaina have good advice about trying before you buy.  Some styles work better for some people than others.  If you don't have a babywearing group near you, you can rent an Oh Snap here: https://www.granolababies.com/rent-a-sling/cat_73.html to try if you want. 

TabithaGoins

I have to throw the Boba in here, it sounds like your LO is big enough for it.  It's a SSC that's meant for over a year on up.  I found it to be the most comfortable SSC for me. It's easier to find than a Bamberoo or some of the other SSCs too.  And it's only about $100.