Babywearing a 3 year old

[samssugarmomma]

I need help figuring out which of my slings to use tomorrow night.

We are going to a night parade - its a horse drawn carriage parade - and it will be ending at 8:30. That's about 1.5 hours after my kids go to bed. We usually go during the day but we can't go this year so we are going to the evening parade. Normally I'd throw Sarah (20 months) in the Ergo and wear her for the walk back to the car and Elena (3) would walk. But since it is going to be late and cold I'd like to wear Elena too. I don't want to do a stroller because the parade is crowded and in the downtown area of this little town. There are a TON of people and the sidewalks are narrow. The stroller would be awkward during the parade too because the kids won't stay in it during the parade and people squeeze in together and it would just be in the way.

I have a Kelty backpack, an Ergo, a Moby wrap, a Mei Tai, and a Kangaroo Korner adjustable pouch. I can't decide what to use. I'm leaning towards Elena in the Mei Tai on my back and Sarah in the Ergo on my Mom. I used all of the slings for different purposes when Sarah was a baby, but now she wants to be a "big girl" and walk with her sisters so I haven't worn her in a while.

What do you think is the best thing for Elena? She's 40 lbs.

Thanks!

[Michele]

Either the Kelty or the meitai. Do a practice run and bribe her.

Make sure your waist belt fits comfortably with the pants you are wearing. And make sure she leans towards you and the back part comes up almost to her armpits, otherwise she might lean back away from you and with that much weight she will make you very uncomfortable and wobbly.

There is no way the Moby will hold her weight. Don't try. And a pouch would be ok, but that's a hip carry and I find those tiring after a short time. I much prefer the two shoulder, center balance vs a hip or one shoulder.

The other option is to see if you can find someone locally who can lend you a preschool sized soft structured carrier. I have one that would be a much better fit for her than an Ergo. It's about 3 inches taller than an Ergo. Or a woven wrap. With that much weight you'd want a Storch or a Didy or similar. Back wrap cross carry would be nice and supportive for a couple of hours.

[samssugarmomma]

Thanks Michele!

I'm going to try it tonight with our coats on and make sure it works.

As a side note - have you ever worn at a time? If so - do you use the same type of wraps? Or could I wear both a moby and a mei tai at the same time? Not for tomorrow - I was just wondering for future activities.....

[Michele]

The times I've worn two have been when the youngest is less than a year. The youngest goes in a wrap in a front wrap cross carry and the older one goes on my back in a soft structured carrier (leaving the chest strap unclipped)

I think you could do two soft structured carriers (again leaving the chest straps unclipped). But I've never done it. The meitai might be good for that. Rucksack style straps. Or even if you meitai on front with crossed straps in back and then the ergo on your back.

[Michele]

But really I'd advise against wearing that much weight. 40+30? That's a lot to add to your frame without proper conditioning.

[Michele]

All the double wearing I've done has been after pregnancy when I've worn the older one throughout the pregnancy. So my body was used to the weight.

[Michele]

How'd it go? What'd you use?