Would this be suitable for a 2-year-old?

If it's just for quick ups and downs what about a hip seat? I have never used one and I don't know what the general opinion of them is but maybe worth a look

Ha ha, just sold one of those too!! It would have been no good really though, I am quite bony in the hip area and you have to do it up really tight for it to work. It was OK when he first started walking age 9 months but by about 15/16 months it would dig in like crazy and was very uncomfortable.

I love my tula for 2 and 4 year old

longer lengths are fine but if you have a child held at the hip they have a tendency to want to go down eventually and play etc and the constant up/down will drive you nuts if you're left with a huge length of fabric.

This had occurred to me! So is a ring sling generally a shorter piece of fabric? I've never seen one. I don't think they have any sling meets round here, I looked a while back and couldn't find one. I don't know if I'm going to be able to do what I want to do without spending a lot. I think my preferred option would actually be a SSC with buckles so I could pop him in and out easily, but with his past history with the BabyHawk I don't want to risk spending £40 or £50 only to find he still hates it!

yes-a much shorter piece of fabric which fastens with metal rings at one end to keep the looped fabric end securely in place-using the rings you easily shorten and lengthen as you wish, hence being good for up's and down's. A ringsling length can be anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5m, most are around the 1.8/1.9 m area and they cost around £60-£70 new I guess. I've seen some great basic ones at £45 and then other really fancy smancy ones at £120! Plumbing for any option over another is risk so I'd counter that by just buying smart-if you buy at a good price, you'll be able to pass it on if it doesn't work out for you. SSC's are def good for up's and down's but for me personally, the reason that I prefer a ringsling is that you can wear it as a scarf/shawl when your lo is running about whereas with a SSC you'd probably have to keep it on your back empty or put in a bag? Shame there aren't any sling meets near you. Have you tried putting a post out on naturalmamas.co.uk ? There's a good babywearing community there and they might be able to point you in the area of one-also great bargains second hand as well as fab advice x

I have a mei tai and a ring sling but as my just turned 2 year old likes to get up and down like a yoyo I mainly use my hippy chick hip seat. I don't take a push chair anywhere now, just my hip seat. I couldn't live without it.

Yeah, it was good in principle but I just couldn't get comfy with it, I have such bony hips! I am bidding on ring slings on Ebay at the mo, determined to get one for a good price so I can sell it on easily if I don't get on with it.. I promised DH no more frivolous purchases but I have been selling lots of stuff this past fortnight that he could never bother to list and made over £80 so far so I think deserve it

Just won a Freedom sling on ebay for £6.60 + postage! Last few I have been watching sold for £12-£16 so quite pleased with that! Looking forward to giving it a try, fingers crossed DS likes it....

Id be really careful buying from ebay. There are lots of knock off carriers around that really arent safe or up to standard as the originals. Make sure you get authentication.

(^^ wss and as always be careful with ringslings in general that the rings themselves arent joined/welded as opposed to a single formed price as they have weak points)

hope you love the sling when it arrives x