Feedback About the Ergo Infant Carrier

You should definitely go to a store where you can try out different types, but I highly recommend the Ergo. I tried a Baby Bjorn, a sling, and a mei tai before I finally broke down and bought an Ergo (I initially thought they were too expensive and too "backpack-y" looking.) My daughter and I were both very comfortable with the Ergo; the weight rests on your hips, and it's very secure as well as easy and quick to put on. It's great if you have to do a lot of errands where a stroller would be awkward. And it's well constructed and has good resale value.

I am due with our first baby in January; after extensive research into carriers I decided on the Ergo, but did not want to pay full price. I bought mine on craiglist new, but significantly cheaper! You should look there, every couple of weeks someone posts one.

I loved my ergo and used it well into my son's second year. . . I mowed the lawn and hiked extensively with him in the ergo on my back. . .

I LOVE my Ergo, and so does my son. (The Baby Bjorn was great too!). I actually was able to purchase mine at half price, through a local "Good Beginnings" program. I'm not sure if that program or similar ones exist elsewhere - might be worth looking into. The Ergo is very comfortable, almost feels like you don't have anything on. If you do a lot of carrying, for all the use you'll likely get out of it, it's worth the price.

I love it. I have back issues and it really helps by putting the weight on your hips. I can wear a Bjorn for maybe 10 minutes before the pain starts. And, you carry them on your back, although since my babe is 5 months, so she's just starting that (she is 16 pounds and is just getting too heavy for my front).

I have a friend who still uses it with her 2-plus-year-old as a backpack - it goes a long way.

Hi T.. Try going to babies r us where you can try all the different types of carriers out to see which is most comfortable for you and your son. We had an infantino carrier that had memory foam in the straps for comfort by son absolutely just loved being in his sling. We have on from slinglings.com they are custom made with or without padding and I found they are the most comfortable things to wear and they hold up to 40 lbs. My son at 18 months still enjoys it especially when he isn't feeling well. Good luck with whatever type of carrier you choose. I feel for you, my youngest never wanted to be put down and he still likes his cuddle time every now and then.

I love my ergo carrier! My son is 8 mo. I have been using it since he was just about 2 wks. old. I love the back support, and the hands free! It is great for walking my three dogs. I have only used it in the front position. I need to refer back to the dvd that it comes with. I do wish to say one thing, I don't think that it is good for baby to be strattled inside, so I put both his legs to one side, I think that he is much happier this way and I feel better about it. As I know he is growing and developing fast......hope that helps!

just to add to everyone else.. GET an ergo.. don't waste anymore time.... justify the price anyway you can. I got mine when my babe was 6months. I used a moby wrap before that but he got too wiggly and heavy.. then i tried a baby hawk because i did not know about the ergo. I sold that on ebay and bought the ergo. BEST THING I HAVE done. I use it ALL the time....i never go anywhere without it... If i had the money i would get every one of my friends one as a baby shower gift.

I loved "baywearing" and at 4.5 I still bring a carrier along when we go hiking in case DS's little legs give out and he needs a ride (back carry only these days). My favorite is the "Mei Tai" style aka Asian Baby Carrier or ABC. If you can sew, it is really easy to make your own! Here's a link to directions: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/asian.html

A great resource for babywearing in general is www.peppermint.com

Oh, and I've heard tons of good things about the Ergo, I just never had one since the Mei Tai/ABC was a similar style and worked really well for us.

Best of luck!
K.

My Ergo is my favorite baby gear item, and the last one I would part with. It is so much more comfortable than any other baby carrier I've tried. I take it everywhere and wear my son in it at home when he is fussy. Sometimes you can find them for less online with store coupon codes (although I'm noticing that more and more coupons are saying they aren't valid for the Ergo, probably because it's so popular). I've seen them for sale on craigslist and ebay too, so you might try there.

I'm glad you asked the question. I've also been considering purchasing one as I have baby #2 on the way in Feb. at which point my daughter will be 19 mo., so I will certainly need to have my hands free! I've heard fantastic things about the Ergo and am considering spending the money on it. I read one review of a woman who said she could carry her 5 yr. old in it if she needed to! (not that she would, but she could!). I am considering checking out this group

http://www.bostonbabywearers.com/

they meet once a month or so, and have demonstrations of the different carriers...I don't know of any place that sells the Ergo so I'm not sure where to try it on, but know that this group often has different carriers available for you to try-

good luck!

After having 3 kids, the last of whom is extremely clingy and still wants to be held all the time, I will tell you with confidence that the Ergo carrier is the best baby product purchase I have ever made!! I have a bad back and other front type carriers only lasted me until my babies were 16 to 17 lbs and I'd be in agony. With my youngest, I hemmed and hawed about getting another carrier (after I could no longer tolerate my bjorn, sling and wrap), but I tried it on at a store and made the $92 plunge. THANK GOODNESS. I use it daily, bring it where ever I go, and I can wear it for lengths of time and be comfortable. I have put my 40 lb. daughter in it as a goof and I was amazed at how comfortable it is with her, even. I have friends that got one at my suggestion and they love theirs, too. Keep in mind that the Ergo only faces in, but the child can turn to the side easily to see their environment and "flip" their arm out to lean on. I have used it easily as a front pack and a back pack and my daughter has fallen asleep comfortably in both positions. I can also take her out of it and put her down while she is still sleeping, which I couldn't do with other carriers. LOVE IT!!! She is over a year now, and I don't see being done with my Ergo for a long time yet! :-) I hope this is helpful to you - good luck with whatever you choose!

I love my Ergo carrier. It is the best peice of baby equipment I own. Forget the baby swing, the co-sleep, the baby bouncy seat, walkers, activity centers, ect... Get an Ergo. I didn't get an ergo with my first child and was always holding her, or trying desprately to get her to sleep somewhere other than in my arms. Nothing ever got done. My second child arrived just 15 months after the first. I needed my hands free. I used a Moby wrap, (I also didn't have luck with a sling). My son was quickly to heavy to wear on my front, so I started to look at back carriers. Two of my friends loved their Ergos so I went for it.
Our family loves it. My husband and I both wear either of the kids instead of taking two strollers. My son is getting close to 30 lbs at 18 months. My 32 month old also thinks it is a treat to ride in the back pack. I use it grocery shopping, walking the dog, at the mall, or just getting chores done around the house and yard. The kids never protest, and usually fall asleep.
Putting a younger child in the pack on your back by yourself can be a little tricky at first. I found that putting the pack on the changing table, laying the child on the pack, then backing in to buckle the waist belt, then putting on the shoulder straps worked slick. Taking them out is pretty easy.
My kids were to heavy to wear for very long in front by the time I bought the pack. But my friends front-wore the ergo and were very happy with it. So the ergo really can go from birth to kinder-garden.
Not only is this pack handy, it is essential.

I love the ergo. I've used it with my daughter since she was 9 months old, but that was only because I had a BabyHawk carrier before, which I also love. It is great because it can be worn front or back.

Hi T.!
I will keep this short as many of the other posts tell all. I just broke down myself to buy and Ergo 3 months ago. My baby is 9 months old. She loves it. I love it. I have worn her for hours and hours at a time...only being taken out to change and then then back in. I HIGHLY Recommend it. Find a local retailer and go get it. I marketed it to my husband as my Christmas present for this year. I love it and you will too! My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner. Remember you can probably sell it on Craigslist for 1/2 price when you are done. So really you would only be paying $50....just helping out with the justification of it all! Good luck. Be good to you and just go get it already!

We used to have to walk/sway our little guy to sleep and had a couple of different brands of slings and carriers when he was smaller. (I don't recommend this as a sleep inducer, but it was a great weight-loss opportunity for me - I was down to my pre-pregnancy weight within 4 months...) As he got heavier, the carrying got more painful on our backs. We were avoiding the Ergo because of it's high cost, but ended up breaking down and getting one (on Bag Day in Northampton - yay for discounts!). The difference, as others have stated was truly amazing. Why don't you check around at your local consignment stores? I've seen Ergos at a couple of different ones for a decent discount. It's worth it!
-L.

Actually, I would recommend the Baby Hawk. I can still use it to carry my 4 year old daughter on my back! I have used it ever since my 1 year old became too heavy for the bjorn. And its quite stylish!

The ergo is a great carrier. I have a similar soft structured carrier by babies beyond borders. I recommend you check out thebabywearer.com - it's a great source to learn about all different carriers.

T.,
After trying several different carriers myself, I bought the Ergo from a website that offered a money back guarantee. It was so hard to find the right carrier for my son, and I didn't want to spend that much money on something without knowing it would work for us! The guarantee allowed plenty of time to try it out, and we ended up loving it! We started when my son was 4 months, and now he is 1 and we still use it a lot. I like how he can be on my back, front, or hip, and often put him in it for naps when we are away from home but not in the car or using stroller because it is comfortable enough for both of us for him to be sleeping in it. I recommend it to all new mommies I meet. It's definitely worth trying!

It is AWESOME! I love it. So comfortable - it never hurts my body. I have 11 month old twins and a 3 year old and with my double stroller and my ERGo I can go anywhere! They love it. I have had them in it since their first weeks. It is worth every penny! Good luck!

I have the ergo and I love it! It is worth the cost...esp. if you are going to have more than one child...it will last. It has lasted through all my three boys and I am still using it with my now 16 month old.

I have the original version and I do find it takes a bit of practice to do by yourself...don't get discouraged...it is worth it once it's on.

Good luck!

H. Z. (SAHM 5, almost 4 and 16 month old boys)

Hi T.,
The Ergo carrier is an awesome system. It is so comfortable to wear. I've had a lot of back problems sine being pregnant with my daughter and I've been able to wear her in the Ergo without a problem. I've been wearing her since she was about 4 months old. I wear her at the mall or food shopping or taking walks and it doesn't bother me at all. It is a great investment as it can be used for a long time. You can also look for one on Ebay. I've seen them there for cheaper. Best of luck!

I think the ergo is very comfortable and you can wear it front or back. I just went on a hike with my almost 3 yr old and carried him part of the way in the ergo. Although my son is much heavier now , the weight is distributed right. I would recommend it for moms with children who like to be kept close.