When I had my son, 4 years ago, babywearing saved us. He was only really content when being carried, and the various slings, wraps, and soft structured carriers made him feel safe and secure.
Now, four years later, I have a busy, adventurous little boy who loves to explore his wide world, but still needs snuggles, naps, and rescue from losing his boot in the mud. Therefore, "baby" carriers are still very much a part of our outdoor gear. This led me on my search for the perfect preschool carrier.
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| Our first backpacking trip together to Shi Shi beach, age 4. |
When you think about hiking, you often might think about the framed hiking packs. These things are awesome for some folks. My husband and I lovingly picked out the Ospery Poco.
Osprey Poco Plus - $260 - Widely Available
Osprey Poco Plus - $260 - Widely Available
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| Ozette Beach, Age 1 |
Osprey Poco (framed pack) Pros:
-My husband loved it
- It carried the kid and lunch too
- It put the kiddo up high enough to really see everything
- It had a built in sun shade and available rain cover
- On hot days, my child wasn't touching my body
- You can put down a napping child without waking him
- The style mimics a backpacking pack
- You can carry the child and his snowboard too
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| Blackcomb, 18 months |
Osprey Poco (framed pack) Cons:
- I found that the weight was too far out on my back after about 25lb
- It is easy to overload with lunch and everything
- It is awkward to bring along "just in case", and not so easy to carry while chasing a busy toddler or preschooler
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| Ozette Beach, Age 1 I loved this pack for lots of things, from about 6 months through to almost 2. My husband found it very comfortable beyond 2, but seldom grabbed it, preferring shoulder rides if carrying was needed. We would buy this again for the early stages, but it definitely wasn't the preschool carrier for me. Now that the frame pack wasn't working for me, I had an Ergo which was great... until my child grew. Unfortunately, he grew enough that the Ergo was no longer comfortable for me. He was still knee to knee, but the panel on the back was too short, especially when he was convinced he didn't need to have that nap. This is when we discovered the Toddler Tula. Toddler Tula - $170 Available from online retailers, some storefronts, and Tula's website  Toddler Tula (Soft Structured Carrier) Pros: - The Tula fits a lot like the Ergo, but has a taller panel. The toddler version has a much taller panel, and is wider to allow for comfort for adult and child. - The straps are nicely padded - The waist is firm so it doesn't buckle under the weight of the child, and comes around widely enough on my hips to allow most of the weight to sit on my hips, similar to the Osprey - The child's weight is against my body so feels more stable - It is easy to bring along for "just in case" carries - It's less restrictive of the adult's movement when not wearing the child - Available in lots of prints and from a variety of retailers - If in good condition, retains resale value - Durable and easy to wash -Under the $200 mark, after which I get nervous that I might wreck it - The chest clip is easy to find and use Toddler Tula (Soft Structured Carrier) Cons: - The firm padding and nice straps can be a bit bulky to bring along in a bag - My husband won't use an SSC due to flexibility challenges - It can be pretty hot and sticky in the summer - When you are carrying your child on your back, you have to carry other things elsewhere (I totally rock the "front pack" look) - The panel is wide at the top as well as the bottom, meaning the child can wiggle away from your body. -My four year old is too big to carry comfortably for longer than 30 minutes or so  |
Toddler Tula (Soft Structured Carrier) Summary:
I was thrilled with the Tula, and felt I had a new lease on babywearing life. This has been our go-to carrier from two until four years old and forty pounds. I love it for back carries, and can use it for a front snuggle if needed, although I don't find it all the comfortable for front carries.
At about 35 pounds, I started my hunt for the next size carrier. As you would expect, this is when it got tough. I was finding that longer than 30 minutes was getting uncomfortable, and still wanted to be able to hike during nap time. I knew I liked the SSC rather than the frame pack, so that was a good starting place. I won't discuss pros and cons that are related to the SSC nature of the rest of the carriers, as they are in the Tula section.
Preschool Wompat - From Wearababy.com - $180-$250 depending on tax and fabric choice
Shipping to everywhere except the US - Now in theory available for US sale as well
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| Nairin Falls, Age 3.5 |
My search for the next size carrier led me to Wompat, a Finnish brand that I'd heard great things about. The carrier in theory measures 20x20 (mine came out to closer to 19x19).
Preschool Wompat - Pros
- The panel size is definitely larger, with deeper seat darts
- The top comes up nicely, allowing for a good snuggle, but the fabric is soft enough to allow arms out also
- The buckles adjust both up and down
- The straps can cross for a front carry
- The straps are nicely padded
- The hood is fantastic, and my kid loved it
- Available in a variety of wrap fabrics, in stock
- Nice workmanship, well made
Preschool Wompat - Cons
- The buckles are huge
- Difficult to get in the United States
- Soft padded waist didn't give me the firm feeling I like from the Tula, making me feel less comfortable
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| Nairn Falls, Age 3.5 (with snow clothes on) |
Preschool Wompat - Summary
The Wompat was a great option, and I will likely be on the look out for a baby size one if we ever need such a thing again. I loved the wrap fabric at a reasonable price, and the fit was excellent. Personal preference for me is a firm waist for a heavy child, so this one didn't get to stay long, sadly.
Wrap Conversion Full Buckle by Madame GooGoo - $150-???
Available used, or as a custom order from Poland - Use Facebook to contact maker
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| Whistler Village, Age 3.5 |
Arriving at the same time as the Preschool Wompat was the Madame GooGoo. Ooops :-) I knew I could try them both out and keep the one I liked best. I bought this one used, and it was absolutely beautiful. It definitely measured bigger than the Tula, and fit my big kid knee to knee.
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| Toddler Tula on top of MGG 20x20 |
20x20 Madame GooGoo, soft waist - Pros
- Large sizes available, fit my child really well
- Complete customization if you make your own order (but you need to know what you like)
-Spectacular workmanship
- You can use fabric you love
- A variety of hood styles possible, this one had a flat hood
- Shoulder straps are extremely well padded
- They can be made less expensively when you choose her own fabrics instead of providing a wrap
-The placement of the shoulder straps is closer together so the back gaps less
- Straps can be crossed
-Buckles are nice and small, and adjust in both directions
20x20 Madame GooGoo, soft waist - Cons
- The soft waist buckled under my child's weight, causing discomfort on my middle
- This one was very expensive, making me afraid to use it
- Carrier ships from Poland, and can incur customs fees
- They can take a while to be made
- Chest strap floats around, and causes padding to fold when used
- Customized options make reselling more difficult
20x20 Madame GooGoo, soft waist - Summary
This is far and away the prettiest carrier I had. It was comfortable for short carries, but for longer then 20 minutes, it became uncomfortable for me. I learned that the soft waist just isn't a good fit for me, and sent this one on to another person who loves it.
Home Made Mei Tai with Wrap Straps - $5 (I used a table cloth)
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| Trying to elicit a nap, Age 4 |
Finding that I wasn't able to buy the right carrier, I tried to sew my own. I learned that I can't sew a straight seam, but I was sure to use a tutorial to make sure my carrier was safe. I used a table cloth, and sewed unpadded wrap straps, a tie waist, and a pixie hood. Many of my cons could be taken care of with some easy modifications.
Home Made Mei Tai with Wrap Straps - Pros
- Cheap!
- Wrap straps are really supportive
- I could make it as big as I wanted, and with all the things my kid liked
- Very snuggly, and supportive
- Surpisingly comfortable even without padding in shoulders
- My kid loved it
Home Made Mei Tai with Wrap Straps - Cons
- Time consuming to make
- I can't seem to get a deep seat with an un-darted mei tai
- When worn apron-style to make a deep seat, my wrap straps weren't long enough to tie Tibetian, which I felt I needed to keep straps in place (I ended up using a scarf)
- Bulky to take out and about when not using
- A little more finicky for frequent ups and downs
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| Mini Hike near home - Age 4 |
Home Made Mei Tai with Wrap Straps - Summary
I think this was a very successful experiment. As it was cheap, and holds no resale value, it's still hanging around, and might come out for the occasional nap inducing walk. Mostly, I find it's too bulky to pack along, and inconvenient for frequent ups and downs, so I default to an SSC.
Preschool Kinderpack - $179
Available from Kindercarry, stockings on Thursday - Very difficult to buy, often sold for much more
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| After hiking Wallace Falls, Age 4 |
Preschool Kinderpack with Coolmesh - Pros
- Large panel size (20x20)
- Forms a deep seat
- Fit knee to knee
- Has firm, supportive waist padding
- Coolmesh panel is nice for a warm kid
- I liked the hood deisgn
- Large panel size (20x20)
- Forms a deep seat
- Fit knee to knee
- Has firm, supportive waist padding
- Coolmesh panel is nice for a warm kid
- I liked the hood deisgn
Preschool Kinderpack with Coolmesh - Cons
- This carrier is difficult to purchase for anywhere near retail
- I found that the waist padding stopped before the place on my hips where the weight hit, meaning that the weight was actually on the webbing
- This carrier is difficult to purchase for anywhere near retail
- I found that the waist padding stopped before the place on my hips where the weight hit, meaning that the weight was actually on the webbing
Preschool Kinderpack with Coolmesh - Summary
I was pretty sad when I realized that this carrier wasn't going to work for me. We had gone for a great hike, and my kiddo fell asleep on my back on the way back down. He was super comfy, and it was great that we had the hood along, but my hip bones hurt after the half hour mark. This is likely a body type preference, so if you have the opportunity to try one, I recommend it. The other issue is the availability. These are so difficult to get, it is quite a deterrent.
21 x 21 Madame GooGoo - $150-???
Available from Madame GooGoo on Facebook, or buy used
I was super excited to find someone selling a preschool sized Madame GooGoo with a firm waist in the right measurement, for cheap enough I might wear it. It had some extras I might not have chosen, but I was willing to give it a try.
I was pretty sad when I realized that this carrier wasn't going to work for me. We had gone for a great hike, and my kiddo fell asleep on my back on the way back down. He was super comfy, and it was great that we had the hood along, but my hip bones hurt after the half hour mark. This is likely a body type preference, so if you have the opportunity to try one, I recommend it. The other issue is the availability. These are so difficult to get, it is quite a deterrent.
21 x 21 Madame GooGoo - $150-???
Available from Madame GooGoo on Facebook, or buy used
I was super excited to find someone selling a preschool sized Madame GooGoo with a firm waist in the right measurement, for cheap enough I might wear it. It had some extras I might not have chosen, but I was willing to give it a try.
21x21 Madame Goo Goo - Firm Waist - Pros
- Super large panel
- Strap placement means child is still close to my body
- Thick padding on the straps
- Firm waist padding is very comfortable
- It's pretty
- I was surprised that I loved the head rest
- I like the small buckles, and the adjustment both up and down
- Straps can cross, which is great if you want to carry your huge child on your front
- Super large panel
- Strap placement means child is still close to my body
- Thick padding on the straps
- Firm waist padding is very comfortable
- It's pretty
- I was surprised that I loved the head rest
- I like the small buckles, and the adjustment both up and down
- Straps can cross, which is great if you want to carry your huge child on your front
21x21 Madame Goo Goo - Firm Waist - Cons
- My child can't comfortably be arms out
- It's hard to find them used
- It's easy to get a really expensive one by accident once you add options
- Wait time for a custom order
- If you have narrow shoulders, it may be too big for you and slide off
- I don't care for the chest strap, as it pinches the strap padding
- It's bulky to carry around when not carrying your child
- My child can't comfortably be arms out
- It's hard to find them used
- It's easy to get a really expensive one by accident once you add options
- Wait time for a custom order
- If you have narrow shoulders, it may be too big for you and slide off
- I don't care for the chest strap, as it pinches the strap padding
- It's bulky to carry around when not carrying your child
21x21 Madame Goo Goo - Firm Waist - Summary
This is my current favorite. I love how big it is, and that it has room to grow. It's really only comfy for him when he wants to have a rest, which is OK , but sometimes he just wants to be up, and it's not the best for that. It is kind of big to carry around, so I sometimes choose other carriers. I am not sure that having my four-year-old knee-to-knee, so I may end up going with a smaller carrier that fits me better, and know he'll be quite comfortable anyway.
This is my current favorite. I love how big it is, and that it has room to grow. It's really only comfy for him when he wants to have a rest, which is OK , but sometimes he just wants to be up, and it's not the best for that. It is kind of big to carry around, so I sometimes choose other carriers. I am not sure that having my four-year-old knee-to-knee, so I may end up going with a smaller carrier that fits me better, and know he'll be quite comfortable anyway.
Preschool Connecta $150 (depending on exchange rate)
Available from connectababycarrier.com, ships from UK
I was excited to find an in-stock preschool sized carrier. I like having fun with paint and dye to make them personal, so this was a great option for me. This is a very simple carrier, with no waist padding at all. Most of the weight does sit on your shoulders, and the padding is also minimal.
Preschool Connecta - Pros
- It was in stock
- It is surprisingly comfortable for how simple it is
- It is available in pretty fabrics and a warm weather version
- It's very small, and easy to carry along, even when you think you won't need a carrier
- It is reasonably inexpensive
- It probably would wear well over a baby bump if you were expecting
Preschool Connecta - Cons
- For longer than a half hour, it is quite uncomfortable
- Most of the weight sits on my shoulders
- Depending on how I wear it, he can sit quite low
- If I wear it high, it hurts on my stomach
- I don't really like the chest strap
- It probably wouldn't wear well under a baby bump if you were expecting
Preschool Connecta - Summary
This is a great "niche" carrier. It's not great for hiking, or long carries, but it's awesome for having handy for short carries when your kid is melting down, or when you just don't have room for a bigger carrier. Therefore, even though I don't really enjoy carrying my son for a long period of time in this carrier, it gets to stick around for those "just in case" kinds of times.
Available from connectababycarrier.com, ships from UK
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| Shi Shi Beach, Age 4 |
I was excited to find an in-stock preschool sized carrier. I like having fun with paint and dye to make them personal, so this was a great option for me. This is a very simple carrier, with no waist padding at all. Most of the weight does sit on your shoulders, and the padding is also minimal.
Preschool Connecta - Pros
- It was in stock
- It is surprisingly comfortable for how simple it is
- It is available in pretty fabrics and a warm weather version
- It's very small, and easy to carry along, even when you think you won't need a carrier
- It is reasonably inexpensive
- It probably would wear well over a baby bump if you were expecting
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| A Much Needed Nap on Shi Shi Beach - Age 4 |
Preschool Connecta - Cons
- For longer than a half hour, it is quite uncomfortable
- Most of the weight sits on my shoulders
- Depending on how I wear it, he can sit quite low
- If I wear it high, it hurts on my stomach
- I don't really like the chest strap
- It probably wouldn't wear well under a baby bump if you were expecting
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| Snoozy Boy on Shi Shi Beach - Age 4 |
This is a great "niche" carrier. It's not great for hiking, or long carries, but it's awesome for having handy for short carries when your kid is melting down, or when you just don't have room for a bigger carrier. Therefore, even though I don't really enjoy carrying my son for a long period of time in this carrier, it gets to stick around for those "just in case" kinds of times.
Beco Toddler - $200
Due for wide release in the fall of 2015
The first carrier I chose while pregnant was the Beco Gemini, so I have a bit of a soft spot for this brand. I had had several people recommend that I try it out, so I finally did. My first impressions of this carrier were great. It had a deeper, more formed seat than the Toddler Tula, and felt like a very well made carrier in general. There were some nice details, such as the waist padding folding so that the carrier is more compact. The panel size is large, and the deep seat made it fit even bigger. It has a lot of the things I loved about the Tula, like the sliding chest clip.
Due for wide release in the fall of 2015
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| Stock Photo - No cool pictures of this one yet |
The first carrier I chose while pregnant was the Beco Gemini, so I have a bit of a soft spot for this brand. I had had several people recommend that I try it out, so I finally did. My first impressions of this carrier were great. It had a deeper, more formed seat than the Toddler Tula, and felt like a very well made carrier in general. There were some nice details, such as the waist padding folding so that the carrier is more compact. The panel size is large, and the deep seat made it fit even bigger. It has a lot of the things I loved about the Tula, like the sliding chest clip.
Beco Toddler - Pros
- Price is a little high, but there is a lot more sewing in this carrier
- Deep seat
- Comfortable, firm waist that folds
- Super cushy shoulder padding
- My child can ride arms in or out
- Has a nice little snap pouch to carry stuff
- Top strap placement feels narrower than Tula, reducing the lean ability of the sleeping child
- Straps can cross
- There is a nice little buckle protector on the underarm buckle
- Price is a little high, but there is a lot more sewing in this carrier
- Deep seat
- Comfortable, firm waist that folds
- Super cushy shoulder padding
- My child can ride arms in or out
- Has a nice little snap pouch to carry stuff
- Top strap placement feels narrower than Tula, reducing the lean ability of the sleeping child
- Straps can cross
- There is a nice little buckle protector on the underarm buckle
Beco Toddler - Cons
- A little expensive to someone who hasn't gotten sucked into the world of baby carriers
- Currently limited availability
- Not quite as big as the Madame Goo Goo
- A little expensive to someone who hasn't gotten sucked into the world of baby carriers
- Currently limited availability
- Not quite as big as the Madame Goo Goo
Beco Toddler - Summary
Well, I think this is the one I'm going to keep through the end of my babywearing journey with this child. While it's not as big as the Madame Goo Goo, for some reason it's just a better fit for me. Maybe it's the chest strap I don't have to fiddle to find. Maybe it's that it's pretty compact, not too much bigger than the Connecta, but way more comfortable for long wearing. Maybe it's just that it's really nicely made but doesn't feel like a work of art that I need to baby. Whatever the reason, the Penguins are going to hanging out at my house and on our adventures for the next little while.
I haven't tried all the great carriers that are out there. Here are some more large sized ones I know of but haven't tried:
Well, I think this is the one I'm going to keep through the end of my babywearing journey with this child. While it's not as big as the Madame Goo Goo, for some reason it's just a better fit for me. Maybe it's the chest strap I don't have to fiddle to find. Maybe it's that it's pretty compact, not too much bigger than the Connecta, but way more comfortable for long wearing. Maybe it's just that it's really nicely made but doesn't feel like a work of art that I need to baby. Whatever the reason, the Penguins are going to hanging out at my house and on our adventures for the next little while.
I haven't tried all the great carriers that are out there. Here are some more large sized ones I know of but haven't tried:
Action Baby Toddler
Bloo Kangaroo XTP
Bamberoo
I know that someday my little guy won't be so little, so I savor the time and snuggles we have together for now. I have certainly found that a backpack for him saves us many a melt-down on hikes around naptime.
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