I used a Baby Bjorn carrier when both my little guys were first born. But as they got heavier, it got more and more uncomfortable to carry them in it. We have several vacations coming up this summer and I'd like to use something similar to carry the baby in, but he's pretty much at the weight limit for the Baby Bjorn. Does anyone have any experience with a carrier that would a) hold a heavier baby and b) be COMFORTABLE while carrying a baby that size? I don't care if it's front carry or back carry (I'd actually prefer one that could be used both ways, but I won't be that picky if you've got a good option that's only one or the other). I just need to know if there is any such thing available! Thanks for you help!
Thanks for all the suggestions! After so many of you mentioned Ergo, I had to look those up (I'd never even heard of them before!). I think that's the route I'm going to go, but I'm going to keep an eye on eBay to see if I can get one at a slightly discounted rate. I also noticed on the Ergo website they have auctions going on. So I've bookmarked the page and will check those as well. Thanks again for all the great advice everyone!
ERGO! Loved mine, my daughter is really heavy too, she is 19 months and 40 lbs now, I don't use it anymore because she likes to walk but I used it for a long time!
Get an Ergo carrier! They are expensive, but you can carry your baby on you back, front, or side well into toddlerhood. Actually carries up to 60 lbs or so, but no one would ever use it that high. Try ebay for a used one at a slightly better price. Highly recommend that you make sure you buy an Ergo 2 though for enhanced features.
I hated the Hip Hammock pulled too much on the opposite shoulder. The Bjorn was ok until about 20 lbs. I didn't like the Mei Tei either. I had a carrier similar to a Hotsling - great for side carry up until 25 lbs or so, but then pulls too much on your opposite shoulder. Serious, the Ergo and others just like it are the way to go!!
Ergo. Mai Tai is good too, but you won't get as much use out of it and it's not quite as comfy. You can find some used Ergo on ebay usually. They are not cheap, but worth it and you can wear many different ways and feel very little stress from carrying.
I have a similar problem - my little guy is already 20 pounds at 5 1/2 months. I think once they outgrow the front carriers and can sit up unassisted you have to use a framed back carrier.
Oh my goodness...I think you're me! My son is 9 months next week and is weighing in at a whopping 25lbs! Whoa. I'm not sure how this happened, honestly! I have wondered the same thing and haven't found anything yet. We use the stroller a lot more with him than we did with our daughter b/c you just can't carry him around long at all! A friend of mine does have a backpack carrier, not sure of the brand, but she used it with her daughter until her child was at least 2. I'm thinking of looking into something like that. Good luck!
Haven't read the rest of the responses, so this may be redundant, but I would 100% go for an Ergo baby carrier. It puts the weight on your hips and can go front back or side. Ergos can go up to 40 lbs (believe me - you won't want to be carrying them at that age - but I did put my almost-3-year-old on my back in the ergo on several occasions). There are some similar type carriers if you don't want an ergo - I've heard very good things about Beco baby carriers too.
Ergo. Ergo. Ergo.
Good luck : )
I got a playtex hip hammock when my dd got pretty big. It rests on the hip, and was super comfortable.
Ergo baby! It's the best carrier I have tried. It holds my 40 lb 6 year old and feels like I am carrying nothing. Of all the carriers I have tried (and that is many!) Ergo is the absolute best and Bjorn is the absolute worst- so uncomfortable! You can carry baby on front, hip, and back. Their website is www.ergobaby.com or something similar. It also folds up tiny and is great for travel. My cousin has twins and was complaining about how hard it was to carry them. She wanted to steal my Ergo when I let her try it and ordered her own right away.
Get a HOTSLING or a MEI TEI! I used our Hotsling with our youngest until he was 3yrs old and 35lbs or so. Mostly on long days (state fair, zoo ,etc) and it can be worn front, side, or back. The Mei Tei's are awesome too.
what about those back-pack carriers? Do a Google search.
I would also think about how your back is... and if you have back problems, carrying a baby that heavy might tweak it.
Why not just put him in a stroller?
I LOVED my Kelty Kids back carrier. Google it, there are a lot of styles. The one I had holds up to 40 pounds. My daughter doesn't weigh that much yet but at 34 she was too heavy for me to carry around and she'd rather walk now! Good Luck!
The metal framed backpacks are the BEST. My mum carried us all over asia in one... and I carried kiddo in one for years.
Because of the metal frame, and that the kids sit high so they can see above your head, they SUPPORT. So it's like carrying air... even if you're actually lugging a 50lb 3 year old.
I think we got ours from REI
