Sling or Backpack... What Would Work??

I would go for the backpack!! I had two large babies and found any front carrier wore my back out pretty quickly. For hiking especially I have found a true framed back pack the most comfortable way to go!

I think for that age, a backpack would be best. I know a lot of people like the ones by Evenflo, but also Kelty is a good company. Enjoy!

I would use the backpack the a boy that big:)
I am not sure what brand to tell you to get because my youngest is 19 years old But we had one with thick shoulder pads and good low back strap and pad. It was great both of use could use it because of the adjustable straps.
I think he is way to big for a sling if your going to be hiking ect.
Good Luck and have fun
M.
PS sometime you can find them cheap at 2nd hand baby stores

I would suggest a backpack due to the age and weight of the child because we carry greater weight for longer periods of time on our backs than we can in a sling, as a rule.

I think he's too big for a sling. We used the backpack with our boys and it was a good thing. When you buy one make sure both you and hubby see what is comfortable as far as getting it on and off and such - in particular the getting it off you and them out of it. Its just not as easy as you might think.

I'd get a backpack like an Ergo. They have been tested up to something like 80 pounds (obviously no one actually uses them this long, it just shows how strong they are). Otherwise a framed backpack would work as well. Check re-sale shops first, they tend to be in good condition and unless you are planning on having more kids, he's probably old enough that you may not get enough use out of it to warrant buying new.

I would get a Hip Hammock or at least try it out. I like it much better than a sling or a backpack. Plus, it's only about $20.

I would say a backpack. I had to give up the sling around 15 months because my son was just too big for it. We got a really cool hiking backpack at REI, but it may be too big for what you need. Check online for backpacks as I think your son may have overgrown a sling at this age! Good luck!

I have an ergo backpack carrier. Love it! I have hiked for over 5 hours at a time with her on my back, and no pain. She is almost 2 and still rides in it a lot. We used the sling when she was younger, but the Ergo distributes the weight better as she gets bigger. I got mine off amazon or ebay. The Ergo is better than some of the other back carriers, because the way it is designed, it puts the weight more through your hips and not your back.

I used a sling with my daughter till she was 2 1/2-3 years old. If you do not want to put out a lot of money for one (seen some for almost $100 lol) you can go to your local fabric store, buy -/+ 6ft of cloth (60in wide cloth can be folded in half for a double thick sling, you only need it about 30in wide to use) put your child on your hip, chest, or back and wrap the cloth around you and him and tie it at your shoulder.
http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/the-cheapest-wrap-around.html is a wonderful example.
http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/my-multicolored-wrap.html she wraps her older daughter :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CamfWi0cEU8
A video of how to put on a moby style wrap (can also be done with fabric right out of the store.
GL I hope you find something that works well for you and your DS.

Hey K... the answer to your question is YES to both. Most carriers convert to carry your child either on your hip or as a backpack. I have tried many different kinds and I think my favorite is the moby wrap. Only I'm to cheap to spend $50 dollars. Sooo.... my solution is go to the fabric store and buy 5-6 yards of jersey cotton fabric. I got mine at Walmart and spent a wopping $15 dollars. It is completely NO SEW. Once the fabric is cut in the store you could wear him right there!
If you go on google and type in Moby Wrap instructions it will show you how to do kangaroo hold, breastfeeding hold, hug hold, hip hold and backpack. Soooo easy and way cheaper. Don't panic... it takes a bit of practice at first... but I promise you, it is by far the most comfortable of all the carriers! Plus when I'm not using it as a carrier, it doubles nicely for a blanket or pillow. Washes easily. Can't say enough good things about it. It would be PERFECT for hiking and it works well from personal experience in putt putting. Have fun and good luck!

Hi K.,
Definitely go with a back pack, one with a frame. When my daughter was that size, I used a frame pack with a padded belt and padded shoulder straps, and I was really happy with it. (It was a long time ago, I don't remember the brand name.) Have a good vacation!

At his weight and age, i would suggest a backpack. It will be more comfortable for both of you.

K.-
I have a 15m, 23lb son and I use a "baby b'jorn active" front carrier for out and about activities that aren't easy with a stroller. Super comfortable with even distrubution of the baby's weight across your sholders and back (it is designed specifically for long/active use and up to 35lbs). I can see him, he can see everything else. It's great and I love it - I even use it at swim meets which can run 3-4 hours! However, I used this front carrier on a hike when my son was about a year old. He loved it, but I was totally paranoid about falling on him on the rough trail. Because of this I purchased a hiking back pack to use for that sort of activity. I feel I can go longer distances with him in the back-pack, but it is a balance because, the back carrier is bigger and more combersome to pack, I can't see what he's doing up there, and it is a little harder to navigate when I can't see just how big I am in the back (vs. the front when I can see how much clearence I have). I don't know if the either back pack or front carrier would work for caving though - there are some pretty narrow passages! Have a fun trip - hope this helped.

-L.

I would definitely say back pack for a 19 mo old. We have one and used it for both our kids. They loved it and it has great storage in it too. I think it would be easier on your back as well.

I would also suggest a backpack style carrier with a child that size. Some brands to consider are....

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
http://www.becobabycarrier.com/
and as others have suggested a mei tai which you can google and fine many WAHMs that make them (www.etsy.com is a great place to begin your search as well as http://www.babyhawk.com/).

Check out www.ergobaby.com

Amazing sling, carry on back, side and front. Rave reviews.

Carries up to 40 pounds ! So you can use it for a while yet everyday !

Good luck.

Have you considered the backpack carriers that are also a stroller? I think your boy is too big for a front carrier but the combo backpack carrier/stroller might be a better option, they are not much more expensive then the regular backpack carriers but for traveling would be more space conscious than taking both a backpack carrier and a stroller.
good luck with whatever you decide to do.

http://www.kelty.com/kelty/kids.php?type=&cat=48&...

Kelty makes a fantastic backpack/stroller combo. It is a bit pricey but SO worth the money. It makes our lives so much easier when we travel. You don't have take both a stroller and backpack. Ours is an older model and it folds down enough to fit through the airport screening so we don't have to go through the special line for hand stroller inspection. My husband has a bad back and wanted to take the pack off every chance he got to give himself a break. It was easy for him to get on and off. The baby is harnessed is in it. It is easy to use and even stands in as a high chair while you are out (no questionably clean restaurant chair needed). We actually take it with us sometime just for that reason, and to use at the grandparents and friends houses. Has a rainhood you can purchase (at least the older models did). If you can afford it, even if it a stretch, it is worth it (and I'm sure you can get a good bit of your money back out of it when you sell it at a used children's store, or garage sale after you are done with it. If you just want to go with a backpack style carrier look for one at the used kids stores, or put in a request with a store. And if you want to go the sling route, the Sleepy wrap is a great one, you can use it as a back carrier. But I would put my money towards a Kelty convertible if I were you. Ours also has a small zipper pack on it to hold a few changing supplies, extra outfit for baby.

I would highly recommend an Ergo backback carrier! We just returned from a trip west and I used the Ergo on many, many hiking treks to carry our 20 month old 26 lb son. One hike involved ascending 1200 feet on a 6 mile trail... and although I was worn out from the hike, my back and shoulders felt fine. We also have a Kelty frame backpack carrier, but the Ergo is much more comfortable for my build. It's also much easier to travel with and folds down fairly small. And my husband could use it easily also.

We have a sling too, and I'm able to use that for short trips, but it kills my shoulders if I wear for more than 1/2 hour.

Just practice with the Ergo before you leave... and be sure to check out the videos at the Ergo site about best ways to self load/unload your child on your back. Have fun!