How long did you use HAB for?

[Emma1979]

Just wondering at what age you stopped using the HAB... i have really hardly used mine, and the other day thought i would put her in it and go for a walk, well i almost died at how heavy and big she has gotten (4.5 months)... am thinking i might sell it on ebay.... I'm just wondering at what age you stopped using your HAB as i dont want to regret selling it. i guess since she has gotten to enjoy being in the pram i haven't used it like i initially thought i would.

[BellyBelly]

I stopped at 13 months, but by that stage it was only for walks to the shop etc. Marisa would want to sit in the pram and there was no way I was letting a 12 month old walk while I pushed! Was really handy.

[paradise lost]

My XP is still using ours. DD is 16 months, 11kg. Have you tried putting DD on your back? Much easier to carry that way...

I think what made a difference with me is that i used it all the time, everyday, until she was about 9 or 10 months old, i have a meitai i made now, but because i used it so much i got stronger as she got bigger and never had that OMG moment. I've not used it now for about 3 months and i'm sure if i tried i'd be in agony! LOL. They sell pretty well on eBay though, if you want rid of it.

HTH

Bx

[Tobily]

I used mine yesterday - took the kiddos for a short walk. Toby is 10 months...not sure how many kg he is but I think around 10?
I have to work out how to put him on my back with it, havent' had a chance to look at the DVD again.

[Emma1979]

hey i had no idea you could wear them on your back?? do you need another person to put them in for you??? i can't imagine how i would manage it??

maybe i will keep mine in case i have another baby... i wish DD had of liked it when she was littler, but she just hated not being able to see when i had her facing inwards, and having her facing outwards is more for going on walks etc, rather than letting her have a sleep, IYKWIM.

[wardygirl]

I only bought mine when DS was 15 months. I didn't use it a lot but used it often enough for it to be really handy. I guess I used it until I fell pg in Feb, so he would have been at least 18mths old and at least 12kg, probably more. It was still wonderful to use it on him at that age/size. The centre of gravity with it is awesome.

I can't wait to use it on my #3

[christy]

I'm still using with Jovie and she's 9mths? I plan to keep using it an learning the new ties so I can hip hold etc...

[Smoke Jaguar]

I used mine constantly till DS was about 5 and a half months old, but continued to carry him in my Ergo till, well, we still do and he's 13 and a half months.
If I weren't out and about all the time (as in, in and out of the car constantly between fire brigade, horses, shops, etc) I would still be using the HAB.
I think the reason people can do it for so long is that they are using slings mostly, and hardly using prams. This way your body gains strength as the baby grows, like resistance training! It's in the regular use that you get the most value out of carriers and slings Not to say you don't get value from using one occasionally, but yeah, it will hit you like a brick if you're not used to carrying your child, and work muscles that usually don't work.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

We still use ours, DS is about 8kg. DH can carry him for longer, I can only last a couple of miles. I'm going to have to learn how to carry him on the hip in it as that's how I carry him around the home.

[paradise lost]

On the hip is the same as on the front but you moch the place where the fabric crosses (which goes between their legs) round onto your hip before you put them in. I found it started to throw my back out when DD got to about 10kg.

On your back is easier if you have help, yes, but i'm a single mum and i managed it on my own - i used a big teddy to practice until i was good enough at it that i could hold a wriggly smee safely on my back as i tied it.

Bx

[katnap]

my DD is 14 months now, and we still use ours. Mainly for when im going shopping and i cant be bothered with prams and trolleys. She loves it still. She's about 8.5kg, so still small. But i plan to keep using it until she wont go in it anymore!! Or until i manage to buy an ergo... lol

[Michelle71]

Hoobley - what tie do you use for the back?? And do you tie it up before you put Esme in?? And how hard is it to do?? I have a while before it will be needed but I love my HAB and want to use it for as long as I can.

[paradise lost]

It's the same as the front tie - back to front. So, if you have help, put the middle of the fabric across the middle of your back, cross it over your chest and pass it up over your shoulders, cross it again and tuck the long ends down under the bit across your back then bring them to the front and tie or cross and pass to back and tie as you usually would. Then take the outer strap down, have your assistant put bubs in, exactly as you would if they were on your front, pull the strap up and have the assisstant spread all the straps so you're both well supported and you're good to go.

If you don't have help it's trickier and possibly nonsensical but i'll try to explain. You need a relatively cooperative toddler - the first few times i did it on my futon so if she fell it's be fun and not agony.

Lay the HAB open and spread on a bed/couch (something not too low) and stand in front of it, stand so you're next to the middle of the HAB fabric. Pick bubs up and hold him on your hip, then lean forward as you pass him round under one arm so he's on your back as you lean forward. Hold him stead with one hand and stay leaning forward - if your back is parallel to the ground he should be fine with one hand steadying him unless he's really wriggling in which case it might be better to get help or give him a few minutes to settle. Using your spare hand pick up one side of the HAB, near the middle, then support bubs with this hand, still holding onto the HAB while you grab the HAB further down with the other hand. You should now have the middle section of the HAB stretched between your hands, passed over your back/bum. Now pull it up one hand at a time until the top hem is across bubs back under his armpits. Once it is spread over his back like this pull it TIGHT and tuck the ends between your thighs to keep it tight - your hands are now free. Carefully take the right side out from between your thighs and, keeping it tight the whole time, pass it across your chest, over your left shoulder, over bubs lef shoulder, across bubs back and between bubs legs, bringing it back under his right leg, round your right side. Tuck the end, still tight, back between your legs. Repeat the process with the other side, so you have both ends between your thighs again. Now, the tricky bit (!), i use a wardrobe mirror to help, feel aong the straps and make sure everything over bubs is as flat as possible - it tends to bunch, especially between the legs. Once you're happy it is all good, stand up slowly and as you do, "hump" bubs up higher, as you would a rucksack you were shortening the straps on, and pull your ends (which are under bubs bum remember) to hitch him higher. Then tie the ends, make sure your shoulders are comfy and off you go.

I hope that isn't just garbled nonsense!

Bx

[Michelle71]

That is so cool And it makes sense - thank you!!! I was thinking you tied the HAB on first and then put her in rather than tying her in as you go. Another option for me as he gets bigger so I can keep taking him to the football with me when i work- and his head won't end up getting stitched to the players while I sew them up

[lyric]

I use my HAB everyday and my DD is six months. I don't think she'll be growing out of it any time soon.

I had no idea you could use it for back and hip carries! Do they show those on the instructional DVD? I'm sure I watched the whole thing and didn't see it at all.

[visitor1]

LOL.. i used mine for 1 day and hated it so much i sold it!!

[Smoke Jaguar]

Ooooh, Kimbaz, one day is not enough For you or baby! Too late to tell you that now, but for anyone else who's reading who can't get used to it in one day...give yourself more time and practice with it!
And, you get better and better at it as you get more comfy with it. Babies can think it's odd at first, but, generally, DO come to like it and then love it. DS was 4 weeks old when I started using mine and he was wary at first, it didn't settle him right away, but within days it was my best friend. Different kids, different rates, but it does take a bit more time than an initial period