Does anyone still carry their toddler in a sling? My little man will be two in jan and I still carry him now and then , I wondered if anyone else still did and what are the most common carrying situations?
I rarely carry Roo for any length of time, but I do have a pouch sling in my bag for emergencies (ie her falling asleep on the bus etc!) - I’m 34 weeks pregnant and carry toddlers right through my pregnancy, less strain and hassle than a buggy in my experience and my toddlers walk long distances from early on. I prefer back carrying at this age (Roo is two and a half) but can’t be bothered to carry a mei tai or woven wrap around all day if I’m not likely to be carrying her much. If we’re going somewhere further afield I do take a decent sling, though hubby usually carries her at such times.
My second baby, when she was born, I was still wearing the toddler a LOT so I went on just carrying the toddler on my back and the newborn on my front. My hips aren’t so good this time around (fourth baby) so I avoid carrying for any length of time anyhow, but after baby is born I’ll still carry two when I need to!
I still carry Poppy occasionally in a ring sling; she was 3 last June. The last time was the other weekend when we got the train to Birmingham and I didn’t want to lug the buggy. She walked alot, but she fell asleep at the end of the day and she is a dead weight in the sling then.
I carry my 19mth old mindee in a ring sling at toddler group, and occasionally for when she wants a carry on short walk. For a longer walk in the woods for example, I’d put her on my back in the Patapum.
I still carry Fliss (2.6) and carried Leni when she was the same age and I was pregnant with Fliss. I carried two a LOT as Leni wasn’t as confident a walker as Fliss is (Leni didn’t walk at all til 18mths) and imagine I’ll be carrying two sometimes after Miranda is born.
I don’t own a buggy, did have one when Leni was born but I am dreadful at steering them and MUCH safer using a sling!
I would still be carrying DD if it weren’t for the scar on my shoulder playing up. I can carry DD in the ring sling on the other shoulder in an emergency, but it just feels very strange, and doesn’t feel safe (DD is 3).
I still sling Grace, and she’s almost 3. I did used to use a front carry in a mei-tai, which is my prefered option, but since being pregnant have used a ring sling on my hip, or for very short trips, a high back carry with the mei-tai.
We still carry Rumika, who’s 28 months old. In fact we’re travelling at the moment and I’ve been carrying her all day for the last 3 days—she’s averse to walking at the moment, definitely prefers to be carried when in unfamiliar, potentially scary environments.
I use a Didymos wrap for longer walks or if she’s liable to fall asleep (if it’s close to her naptime or bedtime for example). We’ve used the same wrap since she was a newborn and love it more than anything else we’ve tried, for comfort at least. She cosies right up in it and even now I don’t feel the weight unless I wear her for more than 3 hours at a stretch. For short walks or when she’s going to be in and out of the carrier a lot, we use something called a Tonga (that’s the French name, not sure what they’re called in the UK—it’s similar to a ring sling, but made partly of mesh and with a buckle instead of a ring). We also have a Mei Tai-style carrier for carrying her on the back, but we rarely use it, really—mostly around the house when she’s clingy and we need our hands to get things done.
I still occasionally carry Reu (he was 3 in May) in a mei tai. He walks most places, but sometimes needs must and it is much easier to pop him in the sling than try to carry him and bags etc. However, as someone else said if he falls asleep he is a dead weight and hes only a wee thing!
Not carried DS much in a sling since DD2 was born. (on my hips/in arms yes)
It depends a bit on where we are though. It’s more for his safety if we’re out and about (around lots of traffic/people etc), sometimes for comfort.
He’s been walking since 11mths, and mostly runs everywhere now if he can
The other day we did our first tandem carry. Was funny seeing the sales lady expression when she realised I was carrying 2 LOL
Thanks guys for all of your comments I don’t carry ds3 much anymore, but when I do it’s normally a ringsling. I have a mei tai that I bought new but never got on with it, I struggle getting him on my back.
I carry my 18minth old quite a lot. He has only just started to walk and so needs the option of being carried ESP in busy places. I use a peanut shell sling at the moment which holds him on the hip. It’s much easier than carrying in my arms but I do feel his weight in it- he’s a big lad!
Having seen the Mai tai video I’m really keen to try the back carry. If anyone has a Mai tai for sale pls let me know xx
Yes I still love carrying Gaia in a sling, she’s two and a half. I take it everywhere and it’s especially useful when she tires and asks to be carried. Days out especially too so that when she gets irritable she can snooze and chill out. Anywhere we are likely to be queueing - post office, market on a sunday etc so she doesn’t run off. It’s a close parent carrier so I find the fact it’s pre-stitched into position with only rings to use for adjustment really great the older she has got. It’s still hugely supportive.
Just joining in late! I still carry my nearly 5 year old. Mostly in a mei-tai or woven wrap occasionally. I just wear the mei-tai all the time and when she is tired then she has the option of hopping in. Carried her sister until she was 3 and a half - and all the way through my pregnancy. You just need to be aware of your limits. And trying out different ways of tying etc can make a big difference. Also I have a bum bag I wear under the sling and that helps spread the weight.
I don’t carry ds3 much anymore, but when I do it’s normally a ringsling. I have a mei tai that I bought new but never got on with it, I struggle getting him on my back.
