Baby Carriers

[RusherRacing]

I am looking for a soft baby carrier for our son. He will be about 2.5 months old before it gets significant amount of use. But I could see us using it tons between the ages 3months - 7months.

Because space is always a concern when we travel we would like a soft carrier. The Kelty looks great for hiking but not for flying across the country or city use. The aluminum frame just looks so bulky for large amounts of travel.

I would like something that was more of a backpack and was very adjustable. But if front position is best then I am ok with it.

I am 6'3' 315lbs.

Egrobaby - seems expensive for what it is?
BabyBjorn - didn't see many great reviews

Anyone have any recommendations?

[Paladin]

I find the front carriers to be horrible. Really hurts my back. It's not so bad around the house for a little bit, but doing any kind of walking or hiking, it's just bad.

I have a Deuter full frame backpack that I can carry them in all day. Yes, it's bulky, but it works.

[The Adam Blaster]

My wife and I used a Baby Bjorn for our son.
We used it for light walks and such, nothing too adventurous. :)
She found it to be quite comfortable, but it would make my back sore in less than 10 minutes.
Our son seemed to be quite happy in there kicking his legs happily most of the time. We found that the front lip of the fabric that was meant to help support the back of the baby's head when the baby is in chest-chest configuration, we found it was in the way of our son's face and he couldn't se when he was facing forward.
We just used a couple of safety pins to hold that fabric away from his face. Not a big deal, just minor design flaw.

[4x4mike]

I'm 5'10" 175 and like the ergo (sp?) carrier. It was a gift from my wife's co-workers. I loved it and it's still in the car for use and my daughter turns 2 tomorrow. She's a little one, about 21 pounds currently, and still fits in it. If we're out and about it's a bailout for all involved as toting a stroller is a PITA. We had the infant insert in there for a while and used it a lot until about 1.5 years. At one year she was walking but the carrier sped things up.

I liked wearing her in the front, it was most comfortable. The back pack was a little low and I didn't like not being able to see what was going on. Now my little baby is bigger and I don't put her in it but I do already miss walking around with her. I know you've heard it before but they grow up so fast.

I've tried many other brands and even slings (my wife loved those) and none even came close to tickling my fancy. Ergo all the way.

[The Adam Blaster]

That just reminded of something...
I've heard the backpack style where the kid sits up high to be able to see around/over your head can be a bit of a problem when walking in a wooded area - the parent can sometimes misjudge how close that low branch is to the baby's head and the little one can get whacked.

[RusherRacing]

Do you think the Egro would expand to fit a large frame guy? I also noticed both Dueters and Kelty have packs without the Aluminum frame for the back.

[smokymt]

The Baby Bjorn is great early on until the baby is about 6 months old. The mesh is soft but fairly breathable. Definitely want to use a front pack until they are really good at holding their head stable.

At 6 months or so, the frame packs are the way to go even though they are a bit bulky. There are pros and cons for each brand, but my personal favorite is the Sherpani packs. I also tried the Kelty and the Deuter packs, but the Sherpani was the best overall, especially for longer hikes. The best thing about the Sherpani is how close it holds the baby to you. You would be surprised at how much of a difference that makes.

[4x4mike]

That just reminded of something...
I've heard the backpack style where the kid sits up high to be able to see around/over your head can be a bit of a problem when walking in a wooded area - the parent can sometimes misjudge how close that low branch is to the baby's head and the little one can get whacked.


We also have a Kelty Basecamp. It's the external style "hiking" backpack carrier. It's OK especially when the child is longer and heavier. My daughter head isn't all that higher than mine but it does stick off your back some distance. So if you duck under something you have to remember you've got some length behind you. You'll be fine, it's not as easy to whack as forgetting you have a bike on a roof rack of your car.
The Kelty is hard to get sinched nice and tight but I'm used to well fitting backpacks. It is a must for things like snowshoeing or even the county fair. If this is your first child be prepared, like anything you need to buy some gear.

[Patman]

I have been very happy with our Sherpani Rumba Superlight

http://sherpani.com/sherpani-rumba-superlight.aspx

lots of adjustments, comes with a shade/rain cover, built in storage under the important cargo. Folds flat for storage.

I tried a kelty and found it to be a little easier to adjust for my comfort, but there is no comparison when my daughter is concerned.

Once you get it adjusted correctly, it is very comfortable. Has Stirups for her, so her legs don't just hang.

Got it when she was 8 months and about 16 lbs, and now she is 2.5 and 37" and 38 lbs. Still fits us both great, and she loves it. With a sippy in hand, she is happy up there longer than I can keep going. We have gone on LONG day hikes, and she has never complained.

[Michigander]

We used a BabyBjorn with both of our kids when they were very small. It worked ok, I found it better in the house doing stuff rather than outdoors. When they got stronger I used a Kelty backpack and that worked great. Still use it with my 3 1/2 year old.

Neil.

[digitaldelay]

I picked up a $20 Baby Bjorn from WalMart. Apparently it wasn't comfortable enough for my wife. She pestered me until I got her the one all the cool moms were getting; a $140 Beco Butterfly I. She used it - twice. Now I have it for sale.

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-baby-items-strollers-carriers-car-seats-Beco-Butterfly-I-Baby-Carrier-Pony-Express-W0QQAdIdZ262397694

Jason

[OutsideFamily]

We have a baby bjorn "sport" which has a bit more support than the regular bjorn (have also used one of those). For around the house/yard, it works great, but we have an REI backpack carrier for any travel/camping. Full metal frame and detachable storage pack. I would deffinitely buy it again.

[bunduguy]

I'll second on the Ergo. Very comfy padding for baby and parent. Can be used front or back, and is very adjustable. Not sure about it's use on a bigger dude. I'm only 5'10" and 180lbs, and lots of strap left, but I'm not sure how much. But definitely worth a check out. We're still using ours and our son is 2 1/2.

[Paladin]

That just reminded of something...
I've heard the backpack style where the kid sits up high to be able to see around/over your head can be a bit of a problem when walking in a wooded area - the parent can sometimes misjudge how close that low branch is to the baby's head and the little one can get whacked.

It's a valid consideration, but a managable risk. I occaisionally make a mistake, but they both still have 2 eyes so... ;)

[hoser]

We have the Bjorn, Ergo and a Kelty. If possible, I'd recommend to get all three in that order. Bjorn up to ~6months, Ergo up to ~18months and then Kelty backpack there on. We did a moderate amount of travel with these and just know, none of these are FAA approved for use during take-off and landing.

My sons like the Bjorn the most because they can see everything. I like it because I can see the baby. The major drawback, as mentioned several times, is back pain. But I was able to go 3-4 hours fine with a 3mo old... though you don't really want to keep them in there that long. I found it helpful to wear a backpack at the same time.

The Ergo is a step up in comfort for me but my kid don't really like it too much. It also doesn't go on/off as quickly or easily.

My toddler and I are very comfortable in the Kelty... the drawbacks are weight, bulk and getting in/out.

[Shagaroo]

We have the Infantino Flip Carrier (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4232180). Wearable in 3 configurations. Baby front, facing parent. Baby front, facing out. Baby on back. We like it, and it is not absurdly priced. Well made.

[getout]

We started with the Infantino Flip Carrier which was really good when the little one was too small to hold her head up. Then we upgraded to two Keltys - the FC 3.0 (http://www.kelty.com/p-281-fc-30.aspx) and the TC 2.0 (http://www.kelty.com/p-285-tc-20.aspx). For less than a couple hours in the pack, the non-frame TC is my favorite because it's light, small, and fits tight against my back. For anything longer than that, the framed FC is the way to go.

[etbadger]

We used a Baby Bjorn for the first one for about 18mo as she liked to face forward and not doing so induced much rage. After 18mo she insists on walking or just sitting on my shoulders. Its a lot slower, but she sees a lot more of the interesting creepy-crawlies and 'texture' of where we are. Every flower must be sniffed.

Second is quite happy on Amy's back with an Ergo at first, now upgraded to a 'Kinder-carry' which is similar but with custom sizing on the straps and baby bag (Ergo strapping was too big for Amy and the bag area was getting a bit small).

We did try a frame carrier, with the REI house-brand being the lightest that fit well, and it works well for faster/longer hikes, but the clientele gets a bit rowdy and has easy access to my skull.

-e

[eric1115]

We got a Belle carrier for the front (made in Colorado, very comfortable for both baby and parent, controls movement well. My son rode in it until he was close to a year and a half (we preferred it over a stroller for out and about around town where the backpack is too much).

http://www.bellebabycarriers.com/detail-baby-carrier-orange_bl.html

We have a Vaude backpack that we picked up on sale from a local outdoor store for less than the Kelty one that everyone gets. We tried them side by side and this is an easy winner. Better construction, more comfortable, supports the critter better. I haven't gotten a chance to compare it to the Deuter packs. It's super comfortable. My son actually fusses when we get home or back to the truck and take him out. We started using this at around 6 months, and he's 18 months now, still going strong. He likes to get out and go at his own pace sometimes, but we're happy to have the pack for when it's time to move along.

http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf/en_IN/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Vaude/Products/17514/SubProducts/175140100

Eric

[campingmom]

I loved the Baby Trekker. We used it with all three of our kids. It worked well with infants and toddlers. When they got to be more than about 30 pounds, we switched to a frame carrier for longer hikes. The Trekker is very comfortable for both the child and the parent.

[Micky]

Good work dude I think BabyBjorn is right option for the kids.
I also found it better in the house than the outdoor.

[Herbie]

I have a Deuter Kid Comfort II that I bought lightly used from another forum member. I used it a few more times and thought it was really comfortable, but my baby girl grew too darn fast! She's now over 30 lbs and with the added weight of water, camera, and a lunch, the pack now weighs more than my normal ultralight backpacking rig that I use for a week's trip.

[EDIT: SOLD]

[RusherRacing]

I went up to a baby store and tried on a bunch of the different soft carriers, none of them really fit. A couple I could get on but left very limited room for my Son. He is a 3 month old 17lbs baby, takes after dad....

I ended up picking up a Kelty FC style carrier with the sunshade etc used at a garage sale for $75 bucks. He fits in it ok but I don't think he is quite strong enough to support my bouncing around, but next month when we head to the olympic mountains it should work great.

[pskhaat]

So your 2.5mo is now more like 5mo now, but I carried my 3 boys everywhere in front carriers and LOTS and LOTS of backpacking.

My favorite backpack for about 7 months on-up well into 2 years is the Snugli. It collapses, is reasonable price-wise, is light enough but really securely fits the kids in, is good for airports &c.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/42171-FS-Kids-Kelty-Explorer-and-Snugli-Backpacks?p=612809

From http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/26709-Bobby-Jo-in-Needles:
http://xepoch.com/mud/local.cgi/480/90/DSC00713.JPG

I then had two Keltys for when they got bigger, but they were too bulky for air travel and squeezing in the last minute.

[DylanT]

In my experience, fathers prefer the Bjorn and moms the Ergo. Don't know why!

[hoser]

I'd say the Bjorn is harder on the back and mom has already suffered too many back pains from pregnancy.

[RusherRacing]

Thought I should report back! The kelty FC worked great for our trip! He loved it! He is much larger than most kids his age so at 4 months (18lbs) he fit fine. When he fell asleep it didn't support his head very good so we stuff a couple small blankets around him to support himself better in it.

We used it a ton that trip but honestly haven't used it since :(

[john101477]

We used and still have the Deuter something 2 as well and it was great while she was younger. our daughter out grew it pretty fast.

[ssssnake529]

We used a Tough Traveller baby backpack (framed backpack, not soft) through hundreds of miles and 4 children. Then we gave it to some relatives and they're still using it.

[mesha]

we use a vaude kid carrier. Very comfy.

[mesha]

Just saw that backcountry.com is having a labor day sale on a bunch of stuff. I checked the kid carriers and they had some sweet prices.

[Mauka2Makai]

Hello, We have our Deuter KangaKid Hiking Pack up for sale. It is in excellent condition and served our family well. Perfect for kids up to around 2 years of age. We used it for our boys from the time of holding heads up to around a year and a half of age. Lots of storage space for food and snacks, water, diapers, etc. Most importantly the little one is well supported and secured for those hikes. $60 obo. Prefer local pick up, but will ship with additional cost for pay pal and shipping to your zip.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s190/nalusone/Mauka2Makai/IMG_6673.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s190/nalusone/Mauka2Makai/vcm_s_kf_representative_640x480-1.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s190/nalusone/Mauka2Makai/IMG_6674.jpg

SOLD. Thank you

[mariasmith]

With BABYBJÖRN baby carriers you and your child can enjoy being close, while your hands are free to do other things. Bringing your child along to various activities is easy and comfortable, whether it’s a long walk in the woods, a picnic in the park or a shopping spree in town. Full freedom of movement for you, closeness and security for both of you.