My DD just turned 1 and is 20 lbs. I loved the moby when she was a baby but it doesn't work for her anymore, and I'd like to get her into a bigger, more structured carrier. My DH has a backpack carrier, like for hiking, that really works well for him, but it's too bulky and heavy for me. I'm open to wearing her in the front or back. She has a disability and isn't walking now, and she probably won't for a while, so I'd like something that I can hold her as she gets bigger. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Re: carrier for older, heavier baby
Two suggestions: a wrap and an SSC (soft structured carrier).
Wraps: I started wrapping when DD was around 16months, so 1yr is certainly not to late. There's a learning curve, but they can be *very* comfortable for extended wearing, and can be worn on the front, back, or hip.
SSC: Things like the Ergo or Boba are soft structured carriers, but the majority of them are designed for younger babies and you run into the issue of them being *technically* too small for toddlers as they grow taller because the carrier no longer supports their legs from knee to knee. There are specialty brands of carriers that make larger sizes just for toddlers. (I have a Bamberoo half-buckled, half-wrap that I still use at 2.5yrs, though infrequently.) Kinderpack is another, and I'm sure the ladies here will have other suggestions. This would probably be the way I would go, myself.
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DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
Wow really? We still use our Beco with no problems and DD is quite large for her age.
We also have an Ergo and she has room to grow in it. (She's roughly 23lbs and 29".)
Some of this depends on how you define "outgrow". The manufacturer may site various weight limits, but others will cite ergonomic issues for the kiddo. So, this may mean "the beco is too small to offer support from the back of one knee clear across to the back of the other". A lot of that depends on leg length in the little one.