I am looking for advice on selecting a back carrier for a toddler. My daughter is very petite - nearly 4yrs and about 28lb. I will be travelling with her by myself soon and would like an easy, compact and comfortable back carrier. Thanks!
So I went a little nuts and ordered several different carriers. Tried them all out and the winner is...THE ERGO! Not surprising since nearly all of those who responsed recommended it. The others we tried were the Deuter KangaKid carrier (compact, would probably work well with babies 6-18 months)and the Kelty Kid Transit carriers - the 2.5 and 3.0 versions. The Keltys were very bulky and heavy - I found myself constantly leaning forward. Plus, my daughter didn't like being suspended by her crotch. The Ergo is so much more comfortable for both of us! Even works well with my husband who is 6'1 (I'm 5'3). Plus, it is soft and lightweigt. Simple design - very similar to just carrying your child piggyback, but without using your hands. We also got the back pack accessory, which is easy to attach and provides room to carry other "stuff". It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of getting your child in, especially if you are doing it alone. Overall, we are thrilled. Thanks to everyone who responded!
I would suggest a babyhawk if you need something compact. I LOVE mine! It's so easy to use and I could carry my 25lb toddler all through my pregnancy on my back without issue. And if you are considering another child, you can use the babyhawk as a front carrier or a back one. I have backpacks and a variety of carriers and this one is by far my favorite. Although, if you want a backpack, Kelty makes great ones that are super comfy too.
I second the Ergo. You can fold it up and it will fit in any bag, it even has it's own carrying case. I can still carry my 4 yr old and he is closer to 40 lbs. Here's a link: http://www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com/ergo.html (I think this may have even been where I got mine)
Good luck!
I highly recommend the toddler sized Patapum, I've used it with both of my boys (22 and 40 pounds) comfortably and it is easy, lightweight and compact- it can roll into a fanny pack when your daughter wants to walk. It's also very well made and reasonably priced ($78 new).
www.patapum.com is the manufactures website
http://www.babycarriersnmore.com/catalog/item/2458339/322...
is a link to it on a stores site.
It also comes with a waist pouch that would be perfect for holding essentials like tickets, money, ID, etc.
It's only downside is that is a bit utilitarian in appearance, if you are looking for something prettier send me a message and I'll give you some other recommendations.
I also should add- The patapum is VERY similar to the Ergo, but the back is higher which gives an older child more support, and also it is less expensive. In Fit and Function they are almost identical.
Just in case your mind wasn't set on getting a backpack... I am from England and have traveled regularly by myself with my children since my eldest was about 18 months. I have used a backpack, but I have actually found it much easier just to take one of those small umbrella strollers. If you will be flying, there is all the standing around waiting at the airport, and the back pack gets heavy after a while, not to mention all the hassle of getting in and getting out as you have to go through the security checks. You can put your hand luggage in a light weight case which is easy to pull with one hand while you push the stroller with the other, or put your hand luggage in a small back pack. The other thing I like about having a stroller is that you can drape your coats over it as it is usually hot in the airport. The good thing about having a small folding stroller is that the cabin crew have occasionally let me take it onto the aircraft myself, and even if the flight is heavily booked with not much room, they let you take it all the way to the aircraft then they store it for you and bring it right to the door when you get off.
My personal choice is to always go with the stroller - until your second comes along, then it is one in the stroller AND one in the back-pack.
Hope you have a good trip.
L. P
check out handsfreebaby.com. Karen, the owner, will give you great advice!
D.
Try the Ergo Baby Carrier. It's fantastic. I use it with my son, who is on the large side (he's 14 months but 27lbs). It carries children up to 40lbs. It's not a structured back-pack carrier, and it's great for traveling and very compact.
I really like the Ergo, Next Generation. My son with be 4 y.o. in June and he loves to be carried in it. It supports your back as well as your child's.
I bought the new kelty hiking backpack last year. My 2 year old loved it and she was about 30 lbs. She is 38 lbs now still fits in it and loves it. It is not the smallest but it is light weight and easy on people with smaller frames like myself. I also bought a mei tai carrier and those are wonderful. and can be folded up to be put in any back, I would not recommend that if you daughter is tall however. Once my daughter hit 36 inches she was a bit tall for it.
I'd agree with the vote for the Ergo. Basically, it lets you give the kid a piggyback ride, without having to use your hands to make sure she doesn't fall off.
The frame backpacks are really a nuisance for kids who are old enough to walk some of the time, because then you're chasing after the kid and hauling the backpack and bumping into everything.
You can not go wrong with the ergo. My son who is 2 and very big (37 in. and 30lbs) has been in it since he was an infant and we still use it several times a week. he hates the stroller so this is the only way to go for us. I can not recommend the ergo enough.
Another vote for the Ergo. They're a bit pricey, but well worth it. Actually any decent carrier is going to cost you a fair sum of money. But they resell very well. Check eBay to see if you can find a decently priced used one.
As someone who looks for distribution of weight and avoidance of back pain, I can tell you that the ERGO backpack is the best thing in the market. It's pricey, but the benefit is saving your back!
I know that Noodles and Noggins in Clifton sells it and let's you try it on with your child.
When my daughter was littl we had a framed backpack carrier from REI. It was the REI brand. It's not real compact but it was excellent. it has a kick-stand, if you will. You can strap your daughter in to the back-pack and then put the back pack on. When i was by myself, i always would put it on a table then i didn't have to bend down and lift all that weight to standing position. But once on the back-pack distributes the weight well and it adjusted from me, which i'm 5'4" and my husband was 6'0". We could adjust it rather quickly to fit either one of us....hope that helps.
The ERGO Carrier is GREAT! Check out the website at ergobaby.com. My sister-in-law introduced us to it before we had our son, and she was using it for her very slim 4-year-old boy. The weight limit is 45 pounds, and the children can even safely sleep in it while they're on your back. It's a fabulous carrier for maintaining your posture and not cutting into your shoulders.
Hi Mary,
we use a kelty backpack for kids. it is blue and comes with a detachable small backpack. it also has a detachable top for when it is raining and to sunny. we got ours on craigslist. we love it. it is very light and is suitable for small to large kids. our son is 20 months old now and is about 25lbs. it is used for outdoor as well as indoor events. it is very comfortable as well. hope this helps. if you have never been on craigslist it is a great place to sell and buy stuff. it doesn't cost anything and in my opinion is better than ebay because it is easier to navigate yourself. the website is www.craigslist.com
D.
ergo baby carrier! It is the best! I have had the really expensive baby hiking backpacks and the less expensive day packs, maya wrap, some german wrap, but the most useful for the age you are talking about is the ergo baby carrier.
Have fun!
You should try the ERGO its so great. It can carry a ton of weight, it is designed to be ergonomically correct for both you and your child and it does not use a metal frame so it can pack very small.
Hi Mary,
I think that Toys R Us may have some back carriers. You can call and ask.
Hope this helps. Good luck. D.
I'd like to recommend a mei tai carrier. I bought one last summer, and I love it. I've actually been thinking I'd like to get an Ergo for our next baby, though I haven't used one before. I've just heard such great things about it.
i love my Ergo carrier.
We have a Kelty Kids back pack carrier that we loved! It's a fram kind and was very comfortable to wear. We hike a lot with our dogs. I'd be happy to sell it if you are interested.
