Geocaching Australia

We've been looking for a infant ruck sack style carrier. I've just posted a wanted ad in the Buy and Sell forum.<p>

We would like to know what peoples experiences have been with these, both for city and bush walking. Our bub is 10 months old now and is nearly 10.5kg. How old do the little 'uns get before you either cannot carry them or they don't want to be carried any longer?<P>

Are they worth while or are they too much bother?<P>

Thanks for you comments.<P>

Scott & Sarah.

My son hated being in one and it was a pain to put him in and out of.
Just get a strong X-country pram.

We have a Baby-Bjorn thingy, but our little boy is getting a bit big for that already (6 months old) for all but the shortest trips. A friend has offered a lend of a backpack type carrier, so I think we will give it a try before buying anything.

On a related note, Kathmandu have a sale on at the moment. (Catalog at http://www.kathmandu.com.au/kat/html_au ... e_2004.pdf ) Their baby carrier (on page 9) is 50% of the normal price.

We bought one for friends of us in Holland, haven't heard their experience yet...
We did some research and found a shop in Chatswood with a good range and good pricing (heaps better than baby galore) I think it was called babyco, it is on victoria ave near the library..

Ebenezer wrote:We have a Baby-Bjorn thingy, but our little boy is getting a bit big for that already (6 months old) for all but the shortest trips. A friend has offered a lend of a backpack type carrier, so I think we will give it a try before buying anything.

On a related note, Kathmandu have a sale on at the moment. (Catalog at http://www.kathmandu.com.au/kat/html_au ... e_2004.pdf ) Their baby carrier (on page 9) is 50% of the normal price.

That sale is great!
Just bought the freestyler (ski) jacket!

Do try the baby carrier before you buy, we tried a lot and there were huge differences in comfort between them..
P.s. $149 at Kathmandu is a bargain if it is a decent one... good ones normally start at $200. And DO get the hood...

Dingbats wrote: How old do the little 'uns get before you either cannot carry them or they don't want to be carried any longer?

My girl is now six and we started caching when she was about three, I STILL get to carry her, though not as much any more.
I carry her on my shoulders most of the time.
Andrew

Hi,

I used a simple one - no hoods or anything with my first son. It was brilliant - as long as he was awake. They become a dead weight when asleeep. I can remember having him on my back at probably 2.5 - 3 years old and pushing the other one in the pram.

I'd recommend completely - there are plenty of places a pram won't go - I even used to use it shopping as it made it a lot faster. I recommend it.

Dingbats wrote:How old do the little 'uns get before you either cannot carry them or they don't want to be carried any longer? Are they worth while or are they too much bother?

They're too much bother - I'd get rid of 'em and buy a cat.

The new Paddy Pallin catalogue arrived today.<p>

It lists two Macpac child carriers one at $449 the other at $299

At those prices I would have to say...just go back to basics and put the kids on your shoulders like generations have done before you.

Yesterday we bought a $90 one that felt reasonably comfortable both for me and bub. It has shade awning that goes over babies head.

I'll give it a go on the weekend and report if it is worth the dollars.

Dingbats wrote:Yesterday we bought a $90 one that felt reasonably comfortable both for me and bub. It has shade awning that goes over babies head.

I'll give it a go on the weekend and report if it is worth the dollars.

Thats a bargain, the only ones we saw for that price we a pain in the back...

Lets hope this one isn't. Fingers are crossed.

Beware the Kathmandu effect. My rule of thumb is that their stuff reaches reasonable retail price only during their sales (which are quite frequent). Outside of sales time, they're just fleecing (pun intended) adventurers with too many dollars and no sense, IMHO.

- Rog