Framed baby/child carriers/outdoorsy SSC's

[ickle pand]

My DH is keen on getting a framed backpack carrier for our baby, but all the ones I've seen seem a bit crotch danglery. He's a cadet instructor and I think he likes that they look a bit more outdoorsy looking, rather than the SSC's I've been showing him which are a bit more feminine. I don't see the point really, they don't seem that versatile and will be quite a bit heavier.

Are there any framed carriers that hold the child's legs in the correct position? Or, preferably, which SSC's look more outdoorsy? I found a camo print Babyhawk Oh Snap that I thought he'd love but it he didn't seem that impressed.

 

[Rachel_C]

Have you looked at plain coloured SSCs instead? I always think that prints, even in 'masculine' prints, look like something the mum chose for the dad thinking it looks male, but it doesn't really, if you know what I mean? Some of the plain Ergo or Manduca ones are quite nice, there are some nice olives/browns/greys/blacks that I've seen plenty of men looking very manly wearing (although I personally don't think there's anything more manly than a dad with a baby in a wrap!). I think probably most brands of SSC come in plain colours that might be better than prints. OR, just get one that reverses to a plain colour e.g. we've had two Rose & Rebellion carriers, pretty on the front for me but you can wear them the other way with plain black out for OH.

 

[ickle pand]

That might be a way to go. I did tell him about the rose and rebellion's being reversible but I think the prints had put him off. I'll work on him though.

I've just had a thought - maybe he likes how much easier it seems to be to put the baby in the rucksack type carrier. I'll mention supermaning them on to your back, surely that'll appeal to his manly/geeky nature

 

[Rachel_C]

Ha yeah, bet it would!

 

[Toms Mummy]

We had a macpac rucksack carrier with our son and it was invaluable on mountain/countryside walks.... I also had an ergo which I used for everyday use (and love!) but the rucksack ones do really come in to their own when out on a good long walk hours away from the car/shops etc. The come with a compartment for all the bits needed for the day plus sun shield and rain cover which does a much better job than the ssc raincovers imo.

Just like any other carrier, there are high and low end rucksack carriers. The ones to look out for are vaude, deuter & macpac. They have more of a seat rather than crotch dangle x

 

[aliss]

We've always used the camel Ergo and it looks perfectly 'masculine' LOL, here it is on a hiking trip, if you'd like to show your husband.

 

[ickle pand]

They seem better than the likes of Baby Bjorn's Toms Mummy but it still seems like baby's weight would be on the whole of the crotch rather than on the bum. Also I don't think I'd be happy going for very long walks with baby's legs dangling from the hips like they seem to in the pics on google images.

Thanks for that Aliss. I'll show him

 

[Toms Mummy]

They can't actually be used until baby is about 9 months old, so as they have a bigger bum by then and longer legs they have more of a snug fit and can rest their legs on the top of the compartment bit. They also have really good back support for LO.... I would never use a bjorn or other crotch dangler, but the rucksacks are not like these carriers x

It seems that you have already made your mind up though. We use the sport version of the ergo, which is nice and manly

 

[ickle pand]

Yeah I was just hoping there was something I'd missed

I'm probably a bit paranoid about hips because my cousin had hip dysplasia as a toddler and it wasn't nice to see her (or my aunt and uncle) go through traction, a long operation and months of being in a spica cast, so at the back of my mind I'm worried that we have a genetic predisposition to hip problems.

 

[fieryphoenix]

I have a boba 3g in the tweet color, its somewhat masculine I think

 

[lozzy21]

If he's a bit of a geek you could try for a custom SSC, iv seen ones with a dr who theme, Spider-Man, superman etc.

My OH preferres our wompat to the connecta. He finds the structure a bit more comfy.

 

[Toms Mummy]

Yeh the hip displacier would scare me too if ive seen it 1st hand!..... I hope ypu find one you both like x

 

[Faythe]

Carriers without optimal positioning do not cause hip dysplasia.

 

[Berri]

We have one of these https://www.kathmandu.com.au/packs-and-bags/child-carriers/karinjo-child-carrier-raven.html but we didn't use it until LO was about 8-9mths (and getting quite heavy on long treks in the SSC). He still goes in there now and like a pp said, we find it invaluable with the storage compartments and stuff and it's really comfy for me, DH and DS (he sleeps in there quite often).

I wouldn't say it's crotch-dangly at all (though i do love that term!), it's like a padded seat

 

[ickle pand]

I love the boba tweet but I think DH would prefer a solid colour without a print. I showed him Aliss's ergo and other ergos and he liked them. I do keep reminding him that it has to fit right though or there's no point.

That's a good idea Lozzy. I'll suggest it.

I don't think that the carrier alone would cause hip dysplasia Faythe, but given that my cousin had it, there's an increased possibility of someone else in the family having it so I want to try to avoid exacerbating any issue. I keep thinking back to the image on this page for correct hip placement when I look at potential carriers. https://www.hipdysplasia.org/developmental-dysplasia-of-the-hip/prevention/baby-carriers-seats-and-other-equipment/

 

[Faythe]

And I am not advocating narrow based carriers either but, they simply do not cause hip dysplasia.

If there's a family history then best to avoid but so many people get told they're going to cause their baby to have HD just because they used a Bjorn, which is untrue.

 

[keese22]

I bought a moby go from tk max for £30 and its a really supportive ssc and my DH will use it (he wasn't keen on the mei tai or stretchy)

 

[Krippy]

We are trying the Onya Outback right now from our local babywearing lending library! We like it and very masculine!

I will see if I can get a pic posted from my phone!

 

[ickle pand]

I just googled them. They do look very outdoorsy and probably more like what he has in his head but unfortunately we don't seem to have them in the UK. The manufacturer does ship internationally but I'd rather try one out before I spend on postage and customs etc

 

[Krippy]

I know that is why I am trying it out right now rather than buying first. It is very functional so far...we seem to like it and my DH does like the manly colours, etc.! Good luck in your search!