12 months - is it worth shelling out for a sling?

[ticklish]

Hi Emma,

I gave up carrying my DS in a front sling at 8 months because he was just too heavy for my shoulders.

At 12 months and 12 kg, that is a lot of weight to carry.

Personally, at that age and weight I'd be looking for a backpack carrier. We never got around to using one for DS, so sorry, I can't say if they are any good or not, but I know I couldn't carry a 12kg baby in a sling that wasn't on my back and I am a little bit taller than you. Check the weight limits I can't recall how heavy bubs can get for a back pack carrier.

Good luck,
TICKLISH

[~kaos~]

Yes it would be worth investing in a pikkolo or an ergo at that age. You can carry them for another year or two in either of those, and if you have any more kids it will be worth it's wait in gold. The back carry option is fantastic for older kids. You can get so much done and wear it for ages, and the kids like to too cause they can see everything you do.

I have both (the ergo and pikkolo). Currently carrying my newborn in a wrap, but know that from 5 months I'll be able to put him in a back carry which will be so handy (I've 3 kids under 4 and it's nuts!).

Both of those carriers mentioned should be able to be resold pretty easily when you're are finished with them.

ETA - I don't know about hip carry with either of those slings. I have one of the older Ergos and haven't tried a hip carry with the pikkolo. I've always used both for back carry. I've found the best and quickest sling for hip carry is a ring sling.

[Smoke Jaguar]

Only just stopped using our Ergo on a daily basis and DS is 21 and a half months old I was using HAB until about 5 months, for the same reasons you cite (I was going out to paddocks, shopping, meetings etc and HAB becoming hindrance more than help), and never looked back after getting the Ergo. We still use it, just not every day, and I don't have to have conniptions in the car when I realise, half an hour after leaving home, that I haven't packed the Ergo (like I did when I'd forget it up to about 2 months ago!).
Well worth it. DS isn't small (not with a 6 foot 4 daddy) either, but we defintely find there is a time and a place for a sling, even now.

[Cherie]

I think it would be well worth it. My DS is going to be 12 months in a week, and I've just bought a brand new Ellaroo mei tai. Best investment I've made in a long time!! Being able to carry him on my back at this age has made a huge difference. It's easier to get on and off than the HAB (which I also own and used a lot until DS was around 9 months old), and having him on my back means that I can do cooking, laundry, general tidying etc while I'm babywearing him. I'm using it every day, so I think it's well worth the investment!

An ergo would be a good choice too ... I chose the Ellaroo because I preferred the look of it, but in terms of function you'd probably achieve the same thing either way.

[Emma1979]

hmmm i might go down to baby bunting and check them out....

ive been using the Hugabub lately and its a great work out walking to the shops with her on my front - but i just feel its too much weight for the material, it seems to stretch....

im sort of wanting to carry her mainly as a change from the pram, but also to give myself some exercise.... id have to walk for miles pushing the pram to get much of a benefit, but carrying 11kg (i just weighed her) - im guessing it would increase the intensity a fair bit and be a bit more of a challenge... i hate exercise so am sort of looking for sneaky ways to get it done, and a 15 minute walk to the shops and back carrying her is a pretty easy way that doesn't make me feel like im really exercising, as opposed to going for a big long walk. there is method in my madness!!

also i just want to have the option to put her on my back like a monkey hahaha

thanks everyone for the suggestions and advice....