I have realized that I am in a pickle if I want to leave the house after the new baby is born. I have a double stroller. I have two toddlers. Where does the small baby go?
I could put the infant car seat in one of the two stroller slots, but then I have a walking 2-year-old. I don’t know about your 2-year-olds, but my 2-year-olds are not of the sort who trail behind me placidly like Mary’s little lamb. Mine are the sort who need complicated restraint systems, and, in a perfect world where such things were not so unfairly frowned upon, muzzles.
So the toddlers will go in the stroller, and then I suppose I need a frontpack carrier for the new baby. I have tried frontpack carriers with every baby so far, and every time I have been sorry after about 5 minutes. My back starts aching, and soon it is the predominant sensation in my universe. Perhaps it is because I am tall? Perhaps it is because I am “long-backed” (a nice way of saying “short legs for her height”)? Perhaps it is because I have crappy posture? Whatever the reason, frontpacks have, to date, been a failure. But I don’t see any way around it other than (1) buying a triple stroller, which, no, or (2) not leaving the house.
Whenever I mention frontpack infant carrier failure, people mention the Baby Bjorn. It’s wonderful, they say. It doesn’t hurt your back, they say. It is comfy-comfy-comfy, they say. It makes you coffee in the morning and brings it to you in bed, they say. It is well worth the eighty-for-god’s-sake-dollars, they say.
This is where you come in. Are you a Bjorn Againer? Or do you recommend a different frontpack? Or have you found they’re all terrible, and you personally would vote to put the new baby in the stroller and put a muzzle and leash on one of the toddlers?
I don’t use “traditional” front pack carriers (ie. Bjorns).
For Darsie, I used a fleece Kangaroo Korner pouch. Being that it is May and not really fleece weather, I bought a Moby wrap to use with Elise. I will buy a Babyhawk for Elise when she gets a bit bigger, although I think you can use them for newborns, too.
I’ve heard the Moby wraps are super easy to make. Just get a length of cotton jersey and split it length wise and Viola! instant Moby wrap.
I used and loved our Baby Bjorn (still use it for Elise and she’s 9 months old). But I never used any other carriers.
IMO, I would say go with the baby in the carrier and the toddlers in the stroller. The toddlers will feel like they have freedom to move around and the baby is lighter to carry!
HATE front pack carriers with all my might. They all suck. I in no way shape or form do attachment parenting (not that there is anything wrong with that…) but loved our sling. Much better than a carrier. Maybe you want to try that?
I HATED the baby bjorn. I had no muscle tone after the c-section and my little nine lb whopper felt like a load of bricks attached to my front side.
My friend uses a version of a moby wrap that she made for herself and its wraps all around her, and it has good support for the baby and seems to distribute the weight of the baby all around. And the baby seems happy about it.
I really liked using our Maya Wrap pouch. It was zipped and buttoned to fit only ME so all I had to do with throw it on me and put the baby in it (no hassles with rings and extra fabric). When my son was old enough to hold his upper body up, he went on my hip which helped distribute the weight of carrying him. I used it until after he turned 1 and then switched to a Mei Tai (Baby Hawk) to carry my son on my back.
http://www.mayawrap.com
To view the pouch, click here:
http://tinyurl.com/259j6j
http://www.babyhawk.com
Good luck! =)
i like the baby bjorn myself and it’s great because its adjustable as the small one grows but the new rage here in Oregon are baby slings, maybe check out: http://www.mayawrap.com/
anyway, that’s my two cents . . .
maybe I’m just a wimp, but every pack I ever tried = OUCH. All of them, even the raved about ones.
Here at our house we have all manner of things to carry the baby in–front pack carrier (tolerable now that Owen is almost a year), non-adjustable New Native Sling (eh…its okay) and a wonderful adjustable ring sling that I absolutely love and will be using from the very beginning to toddlerhood with every baby from here on out. I am long torsoed and with the adjustable ring sling I can totally adjust where the baby fits and it is so comfortable.
I have an Infantino front carrier, and it’s okay for awhile. My back does hurt quite a bit when I take it off. I borrowed a bjorn for my daughter and liked it some better, but my back still hurt some. And I got an older version of bjorn on ebay that I hated- the kind with the little anchor on the front.
I have a sling too and I hear they work great but I CANNOT figure out how to get my baby into it without completely folding him up and making him cry and feeling like I’m going to dump him out.
Mostly I just carry him and my back still hurts.
Ergo. Ergo ergo ergo ergo. Screw the Bjorn, Ergo. (They are $100, but also work as a hip carrier and a backpack and I still carry my 25 pound toddler in one.) Ergo. Hey, did I mention the Ergo?
I used our Bjorn without any significant discomfort but I didn’t use it much. It always felt like such a hassle to get Riley into the damn thing if I was dealing with it by myself, and also he went from “tiny newborn whose face get smooshed against me in the carrier and therefore I panic that I will smother him” to “squirrely creature who who makes me look like I’ve got a thrashing squid attached to my body with canvas straps”, like, OVERNIGHT. I liked the backpack carrier much better.
I have heard the Bjorns with back/lumbar support are the way to go. I had one without the lumbar thing and I liked it pretty well. Once the baby is a bit bigger, I am a big fan of the Kelty backpack thing (not one with a frame, but rather a regular backpack that also holds a kid!)
I like my Baby Bjorn and find it very comfortable until the baby gets to be over 20 lbs or so. I wouldn’t really want to wear it taking a ten mile hike or anything, but a trip to the store or whatever is definetely do-able. Also, lots of times you can find brand new bjorns for quite a bit cheaper on Ebay.
I would go with a pouch or moby wrap at first, and then a mei tai and/or an Ergo (“new generation” kind). Both give you tons of options (front, back, hip, etc) and excellent lumbar support – comfortable for mom and kiddo both.
Pouch slings are SUPER. EASY. They work until the babe is huge too, like 30 pounds. I use mine all the time, its so much faster than a stroller too, with one anyways. I used a Bjorn at the beginning and it hurt my shoulders after 10 minutes and I had a small baby. I would highly reccommend pouch slings. I got mine at http://www.coastalsling.com. I hear awesome things about Ergos too. Skip the Bjorn though. That’s my vote.
I used a Bjorn, but I have heard great things about the Ergo. I think that’s what I would try if I have a third.
I used the Baby Bjorn for the first couple of months, but I found it awkward trying to do anything useful around the house like washing dishes or eating or vacuuming. Maybe I was wearing it too high or something but it was never very comfortable. The only time I would really use it was for taking walks. My mom bought a much cheaper version of the Baby Bjorn(I think it was called a Snugli?) and it felt the same. I’m always amazed by women I see with their babies in slings. If I tried to put my baby in a sling he would fall out in 3 seconds.
My husband and I love the babybjörn! I had to fly with the baby alone, and the babybjörn was a life saver. I could even do a little taxfree shopping :p
But but but, do not get the classic björn, get the babybjörn active. I have had back problems forever and this allows me to lug around my 9 month old! because it has a backpad and spreads the weight over the entire back as opposed to just your shoulders.
http://www4.shopping.com/xPC-Baby-Bjorn-Active-Carrier
My advice is, if you are able to get away. Try all the different styles at a store and see which one works for you. Or maybe have your hubby try them on. For me the most important parts were: easy to use, not kill back.
Happy hunting
We had some horrible Bjorn-knockoff for K. that we never used. For E., we used the Infantino SlingRider carrier, which is basically a Sling For Dummies. I really liked it a lot. As he got bigger, we switched to the Playtex Hip Hammock. (Yes, they were recalled a few years ago. Buy a new one; they are now fine.) I felt the hip hammock in my back a bit more, but I really liked having the baby on my hip instead of directly in front of me.
I HATED my front carriers: I had two that I tried. After two minutes: OUCH. I had a sling–it may have been a Bjorn, but I don’t remember (it was only about $40, so it was a “cheaper” one), and I just passed it on to another mommy friend of mine–and if I had it placed just so, it didn’t hurt. I was a bit freaked out at first about my tiny newborn getting lost in all that material, so–until the third–I didn’t use it until the babies were a little bigger. Now, Izzy had to be held ALL THE TIME. I ended up putting her in the sling–on top of a blanket to help get her “up to the surface”–and she always calmed down and fell asleep RIGHT AWAY. I used my sling a lot for traveling. But it was hard to get used to putting the baby in/out at first.
Do go and try them out after #5 is born and see what works.
My cousin had twins and also had an 18-month little girl. She got the dreaded 3-seat stroller. Mayber you can check ebay for reasonable costs?
We have 3 yr old twins and a baby, and with this baby we use the baby bjorn Active- with the back support. I really like it. I had a Csection too, and was able to use it within two weeks of delivery. She’s 16 lbs now and we still use it- my husband more than me. He vaccuums with her in it or walks her around the neighborhood to put her to sleep. It’s expensive, but like you I needed to be able to get out of the house. Maybe borrow one from someone, or Craig’s list? Also a friend has a high-needs baby and really loved the moby wrap.
Ergo, ergo, ergo.
They’re expensive but they carry up to 40 lbs of kid and they’re actually comfy. You can carry the kid on your front, back or hip.
Love my ergo,
signed,
one tall woman with back problems.
Beth Fish and Penny: I like the look of the Ergo. Here’s my main worry about it: it comes with an INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO? I’m picturing myself a few weeks post-partum, weeping over the complicated straps while the baby screams.
I’m a huge fan of the adjustable ring slings myself. I got a WAHM-made one on Ebay for like $17, works just as well as the pricier Mayawraps.
Would the twins stay put in a wagon? I had the best luck with the older two in a wagon and the baby in a single stroller. It sounds cumbersome to push a stroller and pull a wagon, but I found it much easier for long walks than the Baby Bjorn.
I reserved the Baby Bjorn for trips where my “train” was simply too long (like at the mall). The secret to comfort with the BB is strong ab muscles. How do you feel about crunches?
get a mai tai or equivalent. These are nice: http://babyhawk.com/
By the time the baby gets too ornery in it you should be able to trust at least one of the 2yo’s to walk, or you can wear the 2yo on your back in this thing. (I actually prefer back carry)
Or you can buy a valco twin with a toddler seat and put one of the 2 yo’s in the toddler seat, and the baby in the fully reclining seat and the 2yo next to him.
My daughter learned pretty quick to stay with me. We had some awkward outings but now she holds on to the side of the stroller, or stands on the bar. Not that I’ve had 3 yet (and by the time I do, my daughter will be old enough to just walk)
I did prefer a pouch sling when my son was a newborn though. I had a bjorn with my daughter and didn’t know any differently. I’m so glad I’m more enlightened now LOL.
LoriD: $80-120 AND crunches? THEY ASK TOO MUCH.
Jen: Your comment brings me to an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT LINE OF THOUGHT: your idea of wearing a toddler in a backpack, it was completely new to me. Then the infant car seat can go in the stroller with the heavier toddler. And as it happens, one of the twins would love to be carried EVERYWHERE, so she would be on board for this plan. Jen. This may be GENIUS.
Hi there! I have 5 types of carriers and usually switch them up depending on what I am doing. For your purposes I would use a Moby wrap (only $35) which goes over both shoulders and distributes the weight better than a pouch (imo) However a pouch is super easy to put on and go so it is nice to have both. The Bjorn and other “leg dangle” carriers carry baby by the crotch and it is bad leg positioning, babies legs need to be in a froggy like position.
Babyhawks and Ergos are more expensive but are better when the baby gets older. I also never face my babies out since they can get overstimulated and can’t hide their face or see your cues.
I love the idea of wearing the baby and not the toddler, the baby gets tons o benefits like better digestion, love from mamma, and they sleep better. Good luck! I have one toddler and a baby so I can’t imagine two.
I’m a serious devotee of the Baby Bjorn. My husband is 6 feet tall and I am just over 5 feet and we can both use it with really simple adjustments. I can carry my little 13-pounder for hours without feeling sore. I tried a sling but he didn’t like that after he’d experienced the world upright. Good luck!
I liked the bjorn, but my son was 10 1/2 lbs when he was born so it didnt last long. I wish I had thought to try out a sling because it seems like you can carry heavier babies in those.
Also- have you thought of a stroller board (you can google it for a pic)? My son is the same age as your twins and I am contemplating getting one- though I do worry that he would still have the ability to wander away…..I like the ‘confinement’ of the stroller!
swistle: yea, I panicked about the ergo too. But actually it’s much simpler to see how to put it on rather than read about it and try to interpret little sketches of it.
Really easy, seriously. I’m not an “instructions” kind of gal.
Borrowed my SIL’s Bjorn witht #2. Didn’t love it. But I have a whole issue with air and the baby’s face. Weird, I know. And it did hurt my back, but my back’s not great. Good luck – that is a pickle.
I have a hotsling that I LOVE. But, once the baby gets pretty heavy (20lbs) it might get hard on your shoulder. The thought of a walking 2 year old wouldn’t please me either though. I’d definitely try some kind of front carrier.
LIke I said – I love my hotsling.
I’m just saying…
My sister has a 24 month old and a 13 month old and she has a front loader. They are both big boys (meaning that you would think they are older than they are). But as you state the 2 yr old gets very tired and wants Mommy’s attention at times too.
Had the Bjorn, but didn’t love it after the first few months because my son got so big, so fast. I’m fairly slender, and that really threw me off balance and gave me a backache. I don’t know that I would recommend it, but it was nice while he was still a little bitty guy.
We use the Bjorn with the lumbar support and it still hurts my back, but I use it anyway. It works for short trips (like in Target) but not for long walks. I was never coordinated enough to use the sling I bought, and with my wiggle worm, I worried she’d fling herself free. I find the Ergo interesting, but as you said, it looks a bit intimidating.
I have a Bjorn (one w/o the lumbar), new, that was given to me that we never used that I’m happy to send to you if you want to try it. Or the sling, too. I paid $60 for the damn thing, someone may as well be able to use it.
My preference is a stretchy wrap (way comfy but takes a little practice at first..the moby is one) or ring sling (Like a maya) or pouch (easier to learn, I like hotslings myself), at the beginning, then the Ergo once they can hold up their head.
The Bjorn killed my shoulders neck and back. Plus some say they aren’t great for the baby’s posture. They make an infant insert though for the Ergo if you don’t want to get two things.
Don’t worry about the video, its helpful to do more complicated things but using it is pretty intuitive. The best thing about the ergo is that you can put the baby in it in front, or put it on hip or back instead with a toddler in it, so you can choose who you are wearing and whose riding based on who needs what.
Mei tei’s (like the babyhawk) and woven wraps are neat too and also can be used for both infant and toddler, and some are super comfortable but they do have a bit more of a learning curve. I’m a little embarrassed to say I have or have had one of everything and if I had to do it over and buy just one it would be the ergo, its worth the bucks or you can often find them used. I’m still using mine with my 26 pound 2 year old.
Loved my abby bjorn when Cait was little and then also got the playtex side carrier for when she grew. Very handy indeed!