Carrying while carrying a child

[MotherBear]

Just thought I'd ask if anyone has already solved this problem. I'm planning to do a fair bit of light hiking in state parks with the kids (and a friend and her kids) this year for science/P.E. The older two will walk, but the 2-year-old has a limit of about 2 miles and we'd like to be able to cover a little more territory than that. I picked up a used child carrier something like this: http://www.deuter.com/US/us/kid-carrier ... 4-125.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It works great and I don't know how else I'd be comfortable carrying a sturdy 2-year-old plus water and gear for a couple of miles, but I haven't figured out a good way to carry while using it. The hip belt goes around my waist and supports most of the weight, as designed. Which means that a gun is not only extremely uncomfortable, but completely inaccessible. It's a thick belt, adjusted to a snug fit, and bearing 20-30 lbs of weight on it -- it's not shifting around to allow for a draw. There aren't any sizable pockets that are accessible to me without removing the carrier. There are also pretty substantial shoulder straps and a sternum strap, which means reaching anything under my shirt would be difficult at best. My carry options are the S&W M&P compact or the Shield (usually the latter), and a new gun is not an option (alas!). I don't expect trouble and we'll be sticking to pretty tame stuff since there will be five kids between the ages of 7 and 2. But I carry daily as a general rule, even at home, and hate to make exceptions if I can help it.

I've thought I could maybe try a fanny pack over the pack's hip belt -- not something I'd use normally, but maybe in this situation. I thought about an ankle holster, which I also dislike in general, but if those are hard to get to under normal circumstances it doesn't even seem worth trying with a 2-year-old on my back. I've seen a sort of pack that straps around the waist and thigh for a concealed thigh holster, but the one I've seen is well outside my budget. Any other ideas? Just thought someone here might have dealt with this and have a solution I haven't thought of.

[txglock21]

Just let the 2 year old carry it. Just joking!!! The fanny pack worn in front sounds like the best option to me. Have fun and be safe.

[spolct]

would you have access to a pants/shorts pocket with the harness on? If so, maybe a shopping trip for a something with ample pockets and/or cargo pockets?

[cb1000rider]

I'm just impressed that you can get 2 miles out of a 2 year old!

[SewTexas]

would you have access to a pants/shorts pocket with the harness on? If so, maybe a shopping trip for a something with ample pockets and/or cargo pockets?

that's what I was thinking, cargo shorts or pants? Cabelas has some really nice ones that are super comfy.

btw, that's a nice pack!

[bnc]

You could try one of those belly and style holsters underneath something that is a button down, snap, or zippered garment that you could open relatively easily.

[MotherBear]

I'll look into the cargo pants/shorts and see what might work, and the Wilderness Safepacker, and also check out the fanny pack scene (shudder). I don't think a belly band type holster would work well with all the straps on the carrier, even with an easy-open garment. Thanks for the ideas, y'all!

SewTexas, I'm really pleased with the carrier! At first I was doubtful that it would be any better than your nicer soft-structured baby carriers, but I started looking into it after deciding we're going to do a lot of hiking this year. That got me intrigued enough to try one on while we were at REI for camping gear, and that even convinced my husband. He usually takes at least a day or two to make up his mind about any unexpected purchases, but before we left the store he told me to call with an offer on one I'd seen for sale used (we did spend a fair bit of other money with REI, so I don't feel guilty about trying their floor model and buying elsewhere). By the time you figure in the accessories that were included, we paid less than half of the retail price for something a couple years old but in great shape. I figure it's not likely to depreciate much more in the next year or two and I'll resell it when we're done with it.

I'm just impressed that you can get 2 miles out of a 2 year old!

Well, 2 miles is definitely the upper limit, and it's not very fast, but she's a tough cookie. Her most frequently used phrase is "I do it!"

[dcphoto]

Are you familiar with Babywearing International? There is an Austin chapter that has monthly meetings north and south. Although (I think) most of the people there wouldn't be receptive to carrying while baby wearing (or at all), you could certainly learn about other options, and rent other carriers to find something that works.

Although you'd have to find another way to carry gear, a "ruck sack" carry with a woven wrap is quite secure and is well above belt level. I can't imagine a comfortable way to carry with a belt mounted holster and any kind of SSC or the pack you linked.

[MotherBear]

I've seen Babywearing International and have some friends who are in that community or ones like it. I used some wraps and other carriers when mine were littler, but nothing I would be comfortable hiking a couple of miles with now that the littlest is 2. They tend to wear out my back, which is why I really like the framed carrier that puts the weight on my hips. Plus, I do need the cargo space for all of our water bottles and the first aid kit and diapers and lunches. I know others who have been able to use their wrap carrier with kids at older ages/higher weight than I've ever found comfortable, so maybe it's me.

We'll be doing some hiking this weekend and I'm going to try out an old fanny pack my husband had lying around and/or a small crossbody bag I forgot about that has a compartment I can dedicate to a gun. Depending on how that works out, I'll go take a look at cargo pants and/or the safepacker. I'm hoping for a minimal outlay of money since I figure in another year or two we'll be done with the carrier and I can go back to IWB carry while hiking.

[Running Arrow Bill]

I'll play the "Devil's Advocate"...lol. No offense intended...

Leave the 2 year old with a baby sitter. Problem and your back solved...

[MotherBear]

I'll play the "Devil's Advocate"...lol. No offense intended...

Leave the 2 year old with a baby sitter. Problem and your back solved...

I'm not going to deny that it's occasionally tempting... but have you seen what babysitters charge these days??

Truthfully, though, for most of the hiking I'll be doing this year, taking the kids is the whole point. We homeschool and for biology this year we've decided that we're going to focus on animals, birds, insects and plants that can be found locally and we're going to make day trips every other week to nearby state parks to observe whatever we can. I just want the kids away from sidewalks and landscaping, seeing world around them on a regular basis -- getting a feel for nature. I grew up in the country but that's not an option for us right now, so this seems like the next best thing. There was a lot of knowledge I always took for granted and was surprised to find that many of my city-raised peers were completely unaware of. I know the 2-year-old won't learn much this year academically speaking, but she'll still be learning about her surroundings, and she'll be building up her stamina and learning how to behave on a hike. Depending on how this year goes, we may do something similar next year for earth science. We're also planning for most of our family vacations to be camping trips, so more hiking there. First major trip is Palo Duro Canyon, coming up later this month.

[MotherBear]

I'm just impressed that you can get 2 miles out of a 2 year old!

Well, 2 miles is definitely the upper limit, and it's not very fast, but she's a tough cookie. Her most frequently used phrase is "I do it!"

I was wrong: she's hiked up to three miles on her own two feet in one go. Not very fast, but she just keeps on trucking.