Do they sleep in backpacks?

[Phalarope]

We are looking to buy a backpack-style carrier for 5 month old DD, for hillwalking. She's not keen on napping, though: do babies ever sleep in these, or am I going to end up halfway across some desolate moorland with a screaming tired baby extremely close to my ear? She won't sleep in the sling anymore, so I'm worried that a backpack will just be far too exciting - but I'm longing to take advantage of maternity leave and stomp up some hills this summer. Any advice or warnings gratefully received...

[TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals]

Mine did but he also slept in a sling, structured carrier, buggy and cot. Anything moving and bed like.

[Jenijena]

We've got both an ergo and an osprey (?) backpack carrier, they have different uses (I prefer the ergo, but if out for a proper walk just one parent plus child, the osprey takes more kit in it and is easier to manoeuvre on to my back) but my little one - who sleeps in the car, cot, and nowhere else, (ie is not one who falls asleep mid meal) does fall asleep in the osprey if he's in it during naptime. The sound of snoring in the ear is, er, funny!

[AHardDaysWrite]

Look up Madame GooGoo on Facebook. They're amazing!

[PurplePidjin]

I use slings but haven't tried a framed carrier but did see a baby asleep in one the other day - face planted into the parent's neck, it looked terribly uncomfortable and almost like the baby could suffocate (there was a group of adults so I don't think that would have actually happened)

What sling have you got, ds was well out of his stretchy by 5 months but slept fine in a woven or SSC on both front or back so it could be that what you've got isn't supportive enough? Still does at 15 months if I give him the chance, nowadays I like him in the cot

[TheScience]

Slept fine in soft structured carriers like Beco/Rose & Rebellion as they just rest their head against your back. Did fall asleep in a very structured Little Life backpack but was always quite uncomfortable with head flopping around unsupported.

[sleeplessbunny]

DD was generally a very bad daytime napper but she would always nod off in the backpack. I think the motion and the fresh air helped. She also loved being in it while awake though. We had a macpac, quite bulky but very comfy to wear for longer periods.

[Phalarope]

Thank you, that all sounds promising! I might think about upgrading the sling, too - it's a Close Caboo and she does like being in it, just not sleeping. Will go to try a few carriers out tomorrow.

[PurplePidjin]

Yeah, it could well be the sling then - Close Caboo are made of stretchy fabric and not really suitable for 6+ months. The manufacturers might tell you otherwise, but that's because they're testing the weight bearing qualities not the child-pushing-and-wriggling qualities! :o

[SweepTheHalls]

Saw a guy skiing in half term with a baby in a back pack! Fast asleep down a blue run!

[Phalarope]

She is allowed to be awake for most of this walking, by the way - I just don't want Mountain Rescue scrambled to deal with the overtired wailing come nap time.

Purple, thanks, I will have a look at SSCs too. We've had a lot of use from the Caboo so an upgrade is probably a good idea.

[DoItTooJulia]

We've got a littlelife backpack carrier and ds2 has fallen asleep in it.

It's got a chin pad so he's a bit comfier, but he never stays a sleep long.

He loves being up there and is rarely upset in it, even if he's Tired. He's too busy looking at all the trees/dogs/his brother pissing about.

[Phalarope]

Thanks for all your advice. We've just had a week's walking holiday in Yorkshire, with DD in a Deuter Kid Comfort III, and she loved it. Bit of whinging but mostly snoring or looking around happily. Wrapping her up extra warm and using the raincover to keep the wind out helped a lot. She did lick the headrest rather enthusiastically and now has a chapped chin as a result, but overall a great success.