Ergo Baby Carrier, any opinions...

appleblossom · Jul 18th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonniec

My friend in SF met me for lunch with her 20lb 9mo old son in her Ergo... after walking from her home to the train station, then to Union Square. She said that it was very comfortable and did not make her back hurt, even after having him in it for 45 min or so.

I have a Bjorn. With my first son, I used it until he was about 15 lbs, and then it just hurt my back. My daughter is now 12 lbs, and it's OK so far. Since she's my last child, I'm resisting spending money for something like this. However, it is VERY likely I'll be getting an Ergo in the next few months.

Many people who liked the Bjorn, really do well to graduate to the ERGO once the baby gets heavier. I'm petite, so the ERGO wasn't the best fit for me but I'm still able to use it to comfortably haul my sleeping 35 pound preschooler around Disneyland, etc. You will absolutely get your money's worth to buy an ERGO for your 12 pound daughter - even the resale value holds up well. Unlike the Bjorn which unnaturally uses the top of your back to carry baby's weight, the ERGO uses your hips (which is why some petite people have a harder time with it) to support baby's weight -- it makes a world of difference in how it feels to wear the baby!

I know many people like the Bjorn because their babies enjoy facing outwards, but I'd caution against regular use of the carrier - especially for that position. If you compare pictures of the Bjorn to the ERGO you'll see a huge difference in how the baby is situated in the carrier (dangling from the Bjorn, seated in the ERGO). My kids liked facing out, too, so I had to learn a back carry with a Mei Tai (the traditional base for the ERGO and Bjorn, it's all cloth and more fully adjustable for baby to be placed able to peek over the wearer's shoulder). It was easier on my back, and benefit - baby usually fell asleep in a position more comfortable for him AND for me

If you are the type of consumer who considers a company's business practices when making a purchase, you may want to do an online search to decide if ERGO is a company you wish to support. Whatever their business practices, there is no denying that ERGO makes a sturdy and reliable carrier that is one of the best investments in child gear that you can make.

Happy shopping!

bonniec · Jul 18th, 2008, 07:20 AM

Thanks! I spoke to my friend who has one... looks like I'll probably invest in one at some point!

emmalawyer · Jul 18th, 2008, 02:50 PM

I like wearing the twins (not simultaneously) in a moby wrap, but my husband carries them in an ergo (he has had quite a few sports injuries and is prone to getting back pain relatively easily). He didn't do well with the Baby Bjorn Air that we had --and I didn't like it either. The twins love to be worn now and they really seem to have no preference, but my DH uses the Ergo a lot and so far he hasn't complained of any back pain. I have never used it because I have very little patience with buckles and straps. For reference, our twins weighed a bit over 16 and 17 lbs. when I took them in for a weight check about 2 weeks ago right before they turned 5 months!

lanasyogamama · Jul 18th, 2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appleblossom

If you are the type of consumer who considers a company's business practices when making a purchase, you may want to do an online search to decide if ERGO is a company you wish to support. Whatever their business practices, there is no denying that ERGO makes a sturdy and reliable carrier that is one of the best investments in child gear that you can make.

Happy shopping!

Can I ask what you're getting at? Just curious!

ETA: Never mind, I looked it up :)

alouette · Jul 20th, 2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanasyogamama

^ Thanks! One thing I thought of though, I never did get the hang of getting her on my back my myself.

Ah that stinks. I was hoping to learn the backpack wear so I could thrown my DS on my back while running errands alone. Might take some more practice once I get one.

lanasyogamama · Jul 21st, 2008, 12:42 PM

^ I know that a lot of ladies do figure it out, I must just not be that talented, lol! I didn't really give it too much practice either, to be honest.

bonniec · Jul 26th, 2008, 11:17 PM

OK, after lingering neck pains, arm pains, arm numbness and tingling from carrying around my 15# daughter in the Bjorn, I caved in to the Ergo.

Question for any Ergo users... do you need the insert if your baby is holding his/her head up comfortably? I didn't get one because she's been holding up her head for a long time now, plus, it looks like the insert is suggested for babies "up to 4 months"? I have done endless searches and can't find a good answer.

Also, I tried putting her in today. Didn't have any issues with the head, but she looked weird with her legs spread wide on the carrier. Does anyone here know if there is a suggested weight for babies to have legs on either side of the carrier? The only pics/comments I can find for "infants" are with the insert. Just want to make sure it's safe for her and won't affect her lower limb development.

TIA!

Jul 18th, 2008, 02:50 PM	#18
emmalawyer BLITHERING FOOL Location: with the teething twins!	I like wearing the twins (not simultaneously) in a moby wrap, but my husband carries them in an ergo (he has had quite a few sports injuries and is prone to getting back pain relatively easily). He didn't do well with the Baby Bjorn Air that we had --and I didn't like it either. The twins love to be worn now and they really seem to have no preference, but my DH uses the Ergo a lot and so far he hasn't complained of any back pain. I have never used it because I have very little patience with buckles and straps. For reference, our twins weighed a bit over 16 and 17 lbs. when I took them in for a weight check about 2 weeks ago right before they turned 5 months! __________________ signature too large “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” --Dr. Seuss ( lil Bitsy's favorite bedtime reading)

Jul 18th, 2008, 07:20 AM	#17
bonniec Neurotic SAHM by day	Thanks! I spoke to my friend who has one... looks like I'll probably invest in one at some point!

Jul 21st, 2008, 12:42 PM	#21
lanasyogamama Member Location: Boston, MA	^ I know that a lot of ladies do figure it out, I must just not be that talented, lol! I didn't really give it too much practice either, to be honest.

Jul 26th, 2008, 11:17 PM	#22
bonniec Neurotic SAHM by day	OK, after lingering neck pains, arm pains, arm numbness and tingling from carrying around my 15# daughter in the Bjorn, I caved in to the Ergo. Question for any Ergo users... do you need the insert if your baby is holding his/her head up comfortably? I didn't get one because she's been holding up her head for a long time now, plus, it looks like the insert is suggested for babies "up to 4 months"? I have done endless searches and can't find a good answer. Also, I tried putting her in today. Didn't have any issues with the head, but she looked weird with her legs spread wide on the carrier. Does anyone here know if there is a suggested weight for babies to have legs on either side of the carrier? The only pics/comments I can find for "infants" are with the insert. Just want to make sure it's safe for her and won't affect her lower limb development. TIA!