Do You Need a Toddler Carrier? the answer is . . . Maybe.

Happy, SUNday, Midlands Babywearers!

This past week has been a crazy one, full of up and down weather, and the start of our very first fundraiser. Why are we raising funds? We want to expand our Lending Library - we have some good things in it, but we could use both more carriers and more variety. We are looking to fill two very specific needs. Firstly a longer woven wrap, a size 7 (5.2 meters), we felt was a necessity. We have a number of plus size mamas that would be more comfortable learning with the added length, and it is a better length for many men, too, that might want to try wrapping. Secondly, if we get enough funds (and it looks like we will!) we'll be adding a toddler sized soft structured carrier (SSC) to the library. We get so many questions about them, and it's definitely something that you want to try before you invest in one. The fundraiser closes Monday, 03/31/2014 at 10 PM. We are buying amber necklaces wholesale (both children's and adult sizes) and the proceeds will go directly to our Lending Library fund. If you are interested in ordering, head over to our Facebook group and check it out!

M and H - in cranberry Ergo

So, you have an Ergo. It's great - easy to use, pretty affordable, and you love it. But your baby is now a toddler, and you might be wondering if you need a bigger carrier, something a little wider and taller. If you check Ergo's website, it says that its carrier can carry up to a 45 lb. toddler. The fabric and plastic parts (buckles, webbing, etc) of the carrier are safe up to that weight. You CAN wear your 40 lb. 4 year old in it, but SHOULD you?

I'll be completely honest with you. The answer is "Maybe".

Keep your Ergo:

38 lb 4 year old in a toddler sized KP.

If money is the issue and you honestly can't afford a larger  carrier (believe me, I think we have all been there at some point) or just can't convince yourself you NEED a toddler carrier, you will be fine. Your toddler will be safe, you will stay hands free, and you will be continue to be able to DO ALL THE THINGS.  The Ergo, and other standard sized carriers (including Infantino SSC like the Union and Balance) will serve you well into toddlerhood.
Another point to consider is how often do you wear your toddler? Do you wear them daily, for long periods of time? Do you only wear occasionally for quick ups when he is tired? Even more rarely than that? If you are only using your carrier  once in a while, and your toddler is only going up for a few minutes, it may not be worthwhile to invest in a toddler sized SSC.

Time to trade up:

Is it becoming uncomfortable, even painful, for you to wear your toddler? As your toddler grows, and the Ergo doesn't support their weight as evenly knee to knee as it used to, you may feel some strain on your shoulders, back, and hips. It also may be uncomfortable for your toddler, as the edges of the seat of the Ergo now come to less comfortable spot on his legs, as more than one parent has  discovered. Read more of one family's journey to toddler wearing HERE, including some awesome comparison pictures of the Ergo and Toddler Tula used with their two and four year olds.
Do you have a leaner? Especially when worn on your back? I know I do. If your carrier (I keep using Ergo because it's the most common standard sized carrier, but it can happen in a Boba SSC, Infantino Union, Beco Gemini or Soleil, even standard Kinderpacks and Tulas) comes up under your toddler's armpits and fits snugly to your body, they *should* be safe, however it's often at this point we recommend sizing up - the extra height in a toddler body size will make both of you feel more secure.

What to buy:

The two most common brands of toddler sized carriers are Kinderpack and Tula - they both have a standard size and larger toddler size. Which you buy is completely personal preference. The shoulder straps are different, and the measurements (height and width of the body) are slightly different, and the toddler Tula has a bit more legs out padding.  I am not out to re-invent the wheel, so go HERE and check out a great comparison of these two carriers.
Other brands that offer a toddler sized SSC: Action Baby Carriers. These are very affordable carriers, but the shoulders are not as padded as other brands, and the body is a flat rectangle of fabric instead of a more contoured fit that the Kinderpack and Tula have.
One of my favorite comparison charts that covers nearly all the common standard and toddler sized SSCs can be found here - Kinderpack (KP) is not on here, but the dimensions of KP can be found here.

 

Other FAQ's

I have an infant and a toddler. Can I get one SSC for them both?
- Yes, you can! I loved my Olives and Applesauce SSC for this purpose, because the clip in infant insert is easy to use and isn't padded (no added warmth!), and it has one of the widest seats you can find in a standard sized carrier. The Boba 4G also transitions easily from infant to larger baby/toddler. The seat is not as wide as some others, but if you have a smaller toddler, it will work well for you, or if your toddler isn't worn often. The key to choosing one carrier to suit two children is to choose based on the child that is worn more often in that sort of carrier. If you would use a SSC more for your toddler and prefer to use your stretchy wrap, ring sling, mei tai, or woven wrap more  for your infant, buy an SSC that fits your toddler. Eventually your infant will fit into it, and there are a couple tricks to get a slightly too big carrier to work for a smaller baby. If your infant is worn most often, buy a standard sized carrier - your toddler will be happy and safe in it for the occasional time he or she is "up".

I have a big baby. Should I just go ahead and buy the bigger carrier?
- Maybe. Do you have a big 3 month old, or a large 11 month old that fits perfectly in a standard sized carrier, but clearly could be on the verge of moving up? If you have a big 3 month old, ideally I'd recommend buying a standard sized carrier and selling (or trading) it to fund a toddler size when the time is right. You may want to choose a standard size carrier that already runs a bit big (like the Olives and Applesauce mentioned above, or a standard Kinderpack or Tula) - it will last you a while. Why? because, honestly, your baby will likely not be happy, or as comfortable, in a carrier that is too big. Many older babies prefer to ride "arms out"  in a carrier which is challenging to do if it is too big, they may sit too low in the carrier, making it more difficult to keep their airway clear, and the seat may be so wide on them, their legs stick straight out, instead of being able to bend at the knee. There is a great blog that makes this point best: HERE. If you have a large 11 month old, I would say, yes, go ahead and buy the toddler size. The standard size would likely fit you and your baby several more months, even a year or more, but both of you would probably be more comfortable in a toddler size.

Is there a way to "size down" my carrier?

cinched Kinderpack

cinched Mei Tai

- Yes, you can. The following will work to make a standard sized carrier better fit a smaller infant (without an infant insert!), or make a toddler carrier fit a smaller baby/toddler better. It is safe, it works, and the only main drawback I see is that it negates the legs out padding that helps make a carrier more comfortable for the baby to worn for long periods of time. You can also use this method on a Mei Tai style carrier, for the same reasons. Often known as the "hair tie" or "scrunchie" trick, it is precisely that. You use a sturdy, fabric covered hair elastic around the base of the body panel, near the waist band, to cinch it in. That's it. Pictured below is the hair tie trick on a mei tai. It works on SSCs too! If you have a Kinderpack, you can use the elastic at the base (intended as a roll up strap) to cinch it. This does two things - narrows the base of the carrier so baby can bend his or her knees, and it shortens the body panel so that it's more comfortable for baby.


One thing I love about babywearing is that carriers retain their value like no other baby gear item you own. That's why I advise to buy the carrier that works for you best NOW, and when the time comes, sell it and purchase the size you need when the time comes. At the end of the day, whether you continue to use your standard sized carrier until your child no longer wants to be worn, or buy a toddler size a little early and make it work for you, or you buy and sell carriers as needed - you are wearing your baby, they are safe, happy, and you are hands-free. That's a win-win in my book.

 

We have a lot of exciting events coming up!

April 12th, our Saturday meeting, will focus on Daddy Babywearing. Whether you are a dad that already wears, is interested in wearing, or a mom trying to convince her husband that yes, HE can wear, too! - come join us at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS building on Assembly street. There's plenty of parking, and we look forward to seeing your whole family there! Please note, daddies and other family members are always welcome at any of our meetings. Babywearing is for everybody!
April 24th, our weekday meeting, will focus on warm (hot) babywearing. Come discuss your tips for keeping cool in the heat, what carriers work best for hot weather, and how to wear in the water. This meeting also starts at 10:00 a.m. and will be at our usual weekday location, the LDS church on Broad River Rd.
April 26th - the Natural Mama Expo and Great Cloth Diaper Change. We will be set up with a table to meet new parents, help trouble shoot carriers, and display our lending library - and possibly more! stay tuned! This is at the Convention Center in downtown Columbia.