TrishandAlex
New member
Early Bird and Trish, do you have recommendations for the types of front carriers that work the best on hikes (like Baby Bjorn vs. sling, etc.)? I know everyone is different, but I am just doing some research (baby due in a few months), and I would love to hear your opinions on that--or anyone else's opinions on the board.
I didn't use a Baby Bjorn because they provide no support to a baby's legs...I always preferred my kids to have their legs curled and supported, especially in their younger months. Again -- this is MY opinion for my OWN kids -- not trying to declare what anyone else should or should not do with theirs.
I had three types of slings I used on a regular basis. Two of them were standard, run-of-the-mill slings (one was a Doctor Sears, the other was a Kangaroo Kid). I just learned different ways to place them in there hang them from me (alsmot always front and/or side) and tighten the strap so that everything felt right.
I also used a mesh sling -- can't remember the name of it now, nor can I find it! It was made for sunny days. The fabric has some kind of sun-guard material in it, and it could also get wet without being weighed down (I also use this sling when wading in a lake or pool).
The one backpack I used was a hand-me-down and nothing special. Only used it in the Italian Alps. It was a back carrier -- I MUCH preferred using a sling, since the carrier put the child away from my body a bit and therefore my entire balance felt a bit off. Had to work harder to hike than I did when using a sling.
That pack ended up being torn apart by wild horses (without Alex in it), so I didn't use it for long. But that's another story.