Caleb is still breastfeeding on demand, and I hope to get to 2 years old (the World Health organisation minimum recommendation) before thinking about him stopping. He eats heaps of solids as well as breastfeeding, so I'm happy to let it follow a fairly natural course.
Shelleney, if the sling is hurting your neck I'd say it isn't sitting quite right; it should really be down on your shoulder, spread over your shoulder to spread the weight as well as stopping it sliding across to your neck. Try adjusting it a bit to see if that helps first! But if you want a good carrier you have a lot of options depending on what exactly you want out of it, and your price range! The very best thing you can do would be to find your local babywearing group and go along to their meet-up, most of them have a 'sling library' that will mean you can try out some different types of carriers before buying one, to see what suits you best!!! Check out thebabywearer.com to find a group near you.
Failing that, here are a few basics:
There are 'wraps' that are loooong bits of material. At this age you need a woven wrap rather than a stretchy one. They are the most supportive and the most versatile, BUT they require the biggest learning curve and aren't as convenient as other options. The price can vary hugely but they aren't the cheapest option either.
There are then "SSC" or soft structure carriers; these are all fabric (ie 'soft' and not with a frame like a hiking backpack) but are shaped/structured so are a whole lot easier to use than a wrap, and also more convenient because of that.
Within the SSC category there are brand name carriers like 'ergo', 'manduca', 'papatum' etc that are all GREAT carriers. They vary in price but are generally pretty 'up there' in cost, and do vary somewhat in 'fit' too, so that's why if you can get to a sling library it'd be the best bet, as one may fit you better than another! They are super easy to work out though, as it's all just snap buckles to do up and away you go!
Then, still within the SSC category, there are the 'mei tai' type carriers, which have less structure than a manduca/ergo type carrier, and not QUITE as easy to wrangle as you need to tie it up, but still easy. These are usually a lot cheaper though!
And there are heaps of other types too, but those are the main ones. Whatever you look at, avoid anything like the bjorn that has a narrow 'crotch' in it; make sure it has a big wide 'seat' that goes from knee-pit to knee-pit, keeping them in a 'frog leg' position.
I personally have used a woven wrap since he was little, but I wanted something a bit more convenient that I could get him in to quicker in the carpark in winter! lol. But I simply can't afford an ergo or something (which I would have bought if I DID have the money) and so my next choice was to get a mei tai; less than half the price of an ergo/similar but much easier to wrangle than my wrap. I LOVE it! I put Caleb up on my back in it 3+ times a day every single day. It means he can come with me outside to pooper-scoop, or to get the mail, or to do the laundry, or to paint or do STUFF. Or just to do the dishes or the vacuuming! He is on my back so not in my way like when he's on my front, but he's able to peep over my shoulder and watch everything I'm doing and 'tag along' happily. He also often falls asleep there so I just carry on doing whatever with him asleep on my back. Of course it's also very handy in town; SO much easier than wrangling a pram in crowds at the mall, just pop him on to my back and away we go! I can get him up on my back in about 30 seconds, so it's easy to pop him up there and go do a few things than try to settle him or carry him around! lol. Did I mention I love it?!
This is him on my back the day I got it in the mail:
https://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j162/flyingduster2/IMG_8738.jpg
So for me, I wanted a carrier that could put him on my back easily, and was quicker to wrangle than my wrap, but was within my pretty limited budget. The mei tai suited perfectly. If I had a bigger budget I'd have gone for an ergo or manduca or something as they are more convenient even than the mei tai. If comfort had been the most important then a wrap is best but a manduca/ergo would be more supportive than a mei tai (which is still comfy of course) too. A mei tai was the perfect middle ground for us though!!!
And LS; Caleb loves crawling in the grass!
https://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j162/flyingduster2/IMG_8845.jpg
https://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j162/flyingduster2/IMG_8803.jpg
https://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j162/flyingduster2/IMG_8882.jpg
But we haven't had any snow this year so no idea what he'll think of it if we DO get some late stuff? lol!!! (It normally snows only an inch or two in my town, maybe once or twice over winter, but it's only done the merest 'dusting' of snow a few times this year!!!) Next year will be fun if it snows though! He'll be running by then! hehe.
