We ended up buying our favorite carrier when Z was about 18 months old. I had developed some minor back problems based on carrying our thirty-pound toddler on my hip with no carrier, so we did some research into getting another carrier to help support Z's weight when she wants to be held. We finally settled on the roughly $90 Ergo carrier. We are fairly thrifty and hesitated at the price, but to our relief it has proven a great investment. It was a very cozy option to hold her either piggyback style or on our hip and it fits both of us snugly. Grandma would even ask to borrow the carrier when we left Z with her for the day.

The company also makes a supplemental device for using the carrier with an infant. The verdict: A comfortable, versatile carrier.
- Jeremiah