If you’re wearing your toddler, it may lead to some gazes by strangers seeing you. Babywearing itself is often something, people don’t know or see very often, toddlerwearing seems to be even stranger. But nevertheless, also older children who are already able to walk, enjoy the cuddles while being carried.
First of all: There is no age restriction for being carried, remember the Yoda Meme? Yes! In a woven wrap, you could even carry an adult pretty well if you’re musles don’t strike 😉 Good to know you could break your leg while hiking somewhere in the mountains and your partner or friend doesn’t have to call a helicopter because he or she can just wrap you on his/her back 😀 Just thinking…
“Toddlerworthy” – what does it mean?
However, not every woven wrap (yes, it should be a woven, not a stretchy one), is equally suitable for toddlerwearing than another but, depending on the carry you use, you can make a toddlerworthy wrap out of a thinner one. In general, a toddlerworthy wrap is one with a higher density around 300 gsm and up with a dense weave and heavier yarns, often pretty thick.
Used materials are linen, hemp or silk. Those blends, usually mixed with cotton, too, are great for carrying heavier children. Last but not least, the chosen weave has its effect, too, and leads to a very supportive wrap.
Because toddlerwearing is pretty well spread among babywearing parents, a lot of brands jumped on the train and weave toddlerworthy wraps on a regular base. They even adjusted the width of the wrap so that there’s enough fabric to cover and support the toddlers back whilst being carried – for a comfortable seat in the wrap 🙂
Multi-layer carries
No matter what makes a wrap a toddlerworthy one, individual preferences are important to. While some people love carpet-like, thick wraps, others opt for stability in a thinner one. I definitely belong to the latter! I cannot tie a thick wrap.
It’s too much fabric which I don’t know where to put, the wrap job turns out unsatisfying and the knot is huge! I know, some people get awesome results and say that the wrap feels like a cloud… Like I said: individual. Just try what works for you.
But here’s my word to multi-layer carries: for sure you will get a nice up with a simple Ruck, too, but maybe not for too long and your shoulders will start feeling the weight, even if you tie tibetan what I recommend anyway if it’s not just a very quick up.
Toddlerwearing with a woven wrap
This is why I usually start to use the Double Hammock (DH) in one of its several variations (Half Saltwater, e.g.) when my kids get heavier with 15 months on approx. I recommend a longer wrap in this case. The DH puts the weight of your child rather on your hips than shoulder which is mor comfortable to bear during longer walks.
If you’re a Shorties lover, you’ll also find a lot of fancy and comfy Shorty Carries. There are a lot of videos on YT and FB groups. I didn’t have the time yet to realize photo tutorials, but it’s for sure something I want to do once I’ve got the time… some babywearing consultants offer workshop on the back or shorty carries topic, maybe also in your area?
Carriers for older children
Some parents don’t like using the baby wrap with a heavier child and they’d rather rely on a carrier. Most of them prefer a full-buckled carrier for a fast and easy up and down. It’s great if you’re able to test several carriers before buying one because they all vary in size, dimensions, functions, adjustment etc.
You really have to test it by walking around a while and see if it fits to both of you.
Only a few manufacturers provide carriers fitting from birth up till around 4 years. Most of them offer 2-3 different sizes. I know that Buzzidil for example has a Preschooler carrier that guarantees an ergonomic position for children up to 5 years – with a wide enough satchel supporting from knee to knee and a long enough back panel.
Custom-sized carriers for toddlerwearing
It’s not that it’s super important in this age (no prob if the satchel doesn’t reach knee-to-knee exactly), but imagine yourself sitting in a hammock: you’d feel way comfier when the fabric reaches your knees.
Anyway, a few brands even offer custom-sized carriers, just ask!
Remember that bigger carriers also find their use whenever a child is disabled or handicapped. A bigger carrier opens the world to them and their caregivers/parents and allows them to conquer places that aren’t reechable with a wheelchair…
The advantages of a SSC (soft structured carrier) compared to a trekking backpack with child seat (don’t know how the’yre called in english but I hope you know what I mean, those carriers with an aluminum frame): They’re lighter, their balance point is closer to your body which makes carrying easier and whenever the child is walking on its own, you can just fold the SSC and put it into your backpack or leave it hanging ’round your hips.
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