Child Back Carrier Advice

[jrthomas_uk]

Just wondered if anyone had any experience with child Back Carriers. I have been looking at the Bush Baby Premier and Elite and can see lots of reviews to the effect that they are both pretty good but wondered if any forumites had any personal experience of either of these carriers.

Thanks (tu)

[alieh]

I have the Ergo, which can be used as a back carrier. It is a royal pain to get on, and I find it impossible to do alone, but once he's on it is very comfortable. Probably not as good as those structured back carriers for long hikes though.

[darlin']

We've got the Bush Baby Lite and it has been great so far, although we have only ever used it twice! I think that's what happens with these sorts of carriers. In the situation you need them for (eg hiking) they are brilliant and the only thing that will do, but apart from that you hardly ever have need to use them!

Here's a link to the one we have got

http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_409_10751_-1__13951_10001_][/url]

[lorraineliyanage]

We use the Ergo for hiking and day trips, takes a few goes to get used to putting the baby on your back without help but after a while becomes very easy. Best done looking in a mirror to check their positioning is OK. Great lower back support for long walks.

[Pickle]

I use a Patapum, basically the same design as an Ergo. I find it quite easy to get my daughter (20 months, but we've been using it since she was about 8 or 9 months old) on my back without help, but it took a bit of practise. Best done in the privacy of your own house where there aren't any old ladies watching and gasping in horror as they watch you bounce your child round...

I've previously used a borrowed back carrier (with an aluminium frame) and found it really uncomfortable to use for any length of time, the soft carriers are much better to use for longer periods of time.

[linzkg]

The Ergo is amazing go (in my opinion) and I tried loads of different ones (beg borrow and steal from friends ;-)

I find it very easy to use - it goes on the back, front and hip. Its so sturdy (my little one is big and heavy as well.)

The baby bush (Little Life) were my other choice - but I decided I wanted the choice on where to wear my little one, front or back .. but then I think the baby bush will take their weight for longer when they're more heavy?? don't know ..

[Mellors]

I prefer the Ergo (I did 12 miles of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with 10 month old baby in it last summer), but husband prefers the Bushbaby one (lots of Lake District and Norweigian mountains with up to 2 year old boy in it). I think it depends on your frame size/shape?

[lorraineliyanage]

I feel like I'm part of some cult because I'm always harping on about how great Ergo slings are. They are about 44" at a guess around the hips, the waist extender is probably another 4 inches or so.

linkg - how easy is the hip position? I haven't figured that one out yet but need to give it a go as my toddler is a bit heavy to be in the front carrying position for too long now.

[jrthomas_uk]

Thanks so much for all your posts, I really appreciate it. I've been reading some reviews on the Ergo and wondered how supportive it is for a toddler when asleep?

All the pics I can find on the internet don't seem to show very good head support.

Thx.

[lorraineliyanage]

The ergo has a hood that you can put up when the toddler is asleep to cradle their head or hoodwink them into sleeping! Have a look at some pics here:

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/gallery/sleeping-hood

[alieh]

I've never tried having him sleep whilst on the back, but he sleeps very, very well on the front. I just put the hood up once he's asleep, but more to cover him than to provide support.

[Mellors]

My little 'un used to go straight to sleep on the back with the hood up to cradle her head and block out the sun. Its such a lovely snuggly feeling :)

[linzkg]

lorraineliyanage - I managed to figure out the hip position whilst standing in dixons at heathrow airport a few weeks back (!!) my little one was about to loose his head from all the swinging to and fro as he was trying to look around and kept pressing away from my front. I think its pretty easy and actually find i can do it midway in a shop now too. I really like the hip position when i'm out shopping if i can't find a trolley with a seat, or if i'm just nipping in. I do find myself cradling him with one hand - but i think that's more for security then anything else and it takes away the weight from my arm - i can take my hand away if i need both hands for something. My boy is almost 8 months and he's a rather solid heavy cha but i still manage .. welcome to pop around and try it out if anyone's thinking about spending the cash on one .. hope that helps!

[lorraineliyanage]

I watched a video on how to do it on the Ergo site but didn't try it out at the time, will give it a go. It seemed to require removing the backstrap I think?

[The Nappy Lady]

You are supposed to unclip the shoulder straps Lorraine, and then attach in a different way....I watched the video too, but it looked like too much of a faff (I'm sure if I did it a couple of times it wouldn't be, but I'm just lazy :-$ )

Find the front or back carry suit most situations though.

The only thing is, with the back carry the Ergo seems to sit quite low across her back, even if I get someone else to give it a good pull up it still doesn't sit sort of level with her arm pits the way it seems to show it in pictures. I wonder if it is simply that she is long in the body like her sister, and both parents? Has anyone else had similar? It isn't a problem, except that she looks a bit like she could throw herself backwards and out - never has, and feels perfectly safe, just looks a bit worrying - do get the odd person saying "are you sure she's in there safely?" etc.

Molly

[lorraineliyanage]

Yep I know what you mean about the back position, it feels like they are quite low but so far haven't had any wriggling out of it.

[linzkg]

There's a video? mmm .. I didn't get one :-(

I managed it by looking at the instructions in the little booklet.

I agree with it sitting low on the kids though - I also thought that - its the same for us.

[The Nappy Lady]

Video is on a website linzkg...will try to find and post link for you...

[The Nappy Lady]

Here you go - check out the hip carry position....

[linzkg]

doh - sorry! cleva ladies ;-)