Seat or basket for carrying up / down stairs?

DahliaFlower · October 2013

Hi Ladies,

Our LO does not yet have good head support / neck strength, wiggles a lot and requires 2 hands to carry safely. We have a couple flights of stairs to contend with and we do not really want to carry him up and down, but prefer to use a carrier, such as our infant car seat. The issue is that the infant car seat is kind of bulky / cumbersome, not to mention all the straps. I am not really comfortable with using a Moses basket, I think most of them are marketed with instructions that they are not to be used to carry baby up and down stairs. I am wondering if there is a safe, sturdy basket made from some sort of canvas material or something that can be used for this purpose? Otherwise, does anyone recommend a wearable carrier that would be simple to get on and off for doing stairs? I was just looking at the Joovy babasling, which might work.

TIA!

JennyLynne · October 2013

Estwd2 said:

I'm not really understanding your interest in a carrier for this purpose. It sounds so much more annoying than simply carrying the baby in your arms. So instead of just holding the baby, you want to take the time to strap him into a carrier or lug some type of basket? I don't get it.

I was kind of thinking the same thing, but I'm not a BTDT mom. I thought maybe there was some secret part of motherhood I didn't understand yet. Otherwise if OP really wants something, couldn't you just go for a sling or wrap?

somewhereincali · October 2013

I'm not sure how old your Lo is but judging by the description it sounds like they are still very young.
It's normal to feel like they are so fragile when they are small but it's really possible to carry them with one hand and have the other hand free to hold the stair rail.

2ndGeneration · October 2013

Yes, you kind of carry them in the crook of your arm, your arm supports their whole head/neck/trunk. You grip their thigh with your hand.

Other than that, I don't know of any baskets, I'd probably just use the carseat.

Nechie122 · October 2013

You can drop a baby just as easily (if not more so) lugging a basket than just carrying him in a way that feels natural.

If balance is really that much of a concern, I would get a Baby Bjorn and wear the baby; for all its limitations as a carrier, that's the kind of thing it's perfect for.

DahliaFlower · October 2013

Estwd2 said:

I'm not really understanding your interest in a carrier for this purpose. It sounds so much more annoying than simply carrying the baby in your arms. So instead of just holding the baby, you want to take the time to strap him into a carrier or lug some type of basket? I don't get it.

It is definitely more annoying than carrying the baby in your arms! It's not that I want to take the time to deal with the carrier, but from a safety perspective, it is something we would be willing to do. We want anyone carrying the baby to have one hand firmly on the railing of the stairs. We have two flights, which are hardwood, so potentially slippery. I realize our concerns may seem extreme, but that's what happens when your first child dies unexpectedly and you struggle to have a second one, every potential hazard becomes magnified. I guess I shouldn't expect many other moms to understand this.

asm07 · October 2013

There are many, many women on here who have struggled with loss and infertility, believe me. I think the issue that these moms are having trouble understanding is that any alternative to carrying your baby up/down the stairs is just as dangerous as carrying him in your arms, probably more so. If the two flights of stairs are an issue, could you try having a second changing/sleeping area on your main floor? That way you and your husband only have to bring the baby downstairs/upstairs once or twice during the day. If that's not an option, I'd probably try something like a Moby wrap. I haven't tried one yet, but I know several moms who swear by them. I think there might be occasions where it will be impractical to put him in a sling/carrier every time you want to go up/downstairs (especially as your baby gets older), but it also sounds like it could be a good solution to try for a bit until you get more comfortable carrying him your arms. Unfortunately, we can't protect our children from every potential hazard every minute of the day (there are going to be A LOT of them!!), but I can understand your fears and concerns. Good luck with your search!

LittleApple · October 2013

RedheadBaker said:

Why not put non skid runners on your stairs? The slip and fall risk won't go away as your baby gets older.

We have a very steep staircase in our cape cod and I avoid bringing my baby up and down as much as I can. I am nervous about the stairs because I have fallen holding my kids. I am always holding the rail with one hand and baby in the other. If I need to go get laundry or clothes or something for the kids, I leave them downstairs.

This. I suggest getting anti-skid stuff for your steps. I have fallen down the stairs at my childhood home numerous times, not carrying anything.

klyann · October 2013

Ditto on skid proof runner or something. I actually fell with DS down the stairs while he was in a Baby K'tan on our carpeted stairs. I hurt my shoulder a bit bracing, but he was fine. Sometimes accidents just happen.

spinsoffresonance · October 2013

Our condo is up two flights of stairs, they're wood, very steep, very narrow, and very crooked, so I totally understand the concern, DD is 11 month old and I carry her up the stairs sometimes but I would not be comfortable taking her down the stairs in my arms. Whenever we go out she's in a baby carrier. Now I have the action baby carrier, but I started out with the baby Bjorn miracle. The bjorn is extremely easy to put on and off and to get the baby in and out of, much more so than other soft structure carriers like the ergo or the ABC. I think that would be a good option. The baby bjorn miracle is very expensive though so if you're only planning on using it to go up and down the stairs look into the baby bjorn original. People always hate on it because it has no back support (the miracle does) and is a crotch dangler but it would be perfect for your purpose.

DahliaFlower · October 2013

RedheadBaker said:

Why not put non skid runners on your stairs? The slip and fall risk won't go away as your baby gets older.

Yes, I am definitely thinking about doing this. I know we will need to do it eventually anyway.

somewhereincali · October 2013

DahliaFlower said:

RedheadBaker said:

Why not put non skid runners on your stairs? The slip and fall risk won't go away as your baby gets older.

Yes, I am definitely thinking about doing this. I know we will need to do it eventually anyway.

I would also focus on the longer term solution, I'm wary of the stairs and we only have a half flight, but I'm much more worried about them now that my kids are older and walking up and down them than I was when they were small or only crawling.

ebp913 · October 2013

somewhereincali said:

DahliaFlower said:

RedheadBaker said:

Why not put non skid runners on your stairs? The slip and fall risk won't go away as your baby gets older.

Yes, I am definitely thinking about doing this. I know we will need to do it eventually anyway.

I would also focus on the longer term solution, I'm wary of the stairs and we only have a half flight, but I'm much more worried about them now that my kids are older and walking up and down them than I was when they were small or only crawling.

Yea I agree. Our kids have to go up and down to get to their rooms and we walk slowly and carefully on the stairs when we are holding them and we taught DD and will teach DS how to use the stairs responsibly.

sometimesalwayschaotic · October 2013

A ring sling would be quick to take off and on. Just keep in mind that soon baby will be much easier to hold with one hand also.

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