Ergo Baby Carriers

Yes! My baby outgrew the Bjorn and I still wanted a carrier. I really like it! It distributes the weight very comfortably and you can use it as a backpack style too. The only downside is it can be tricky putting it on with baby, so you may have to just practice a bit. But they give you a DVD that shows exactly how to put baby in all the positions. I highly recommend. It is very comfy. Good Luck!

Hi A.! I have lower back issues and used an ergo...it was awesome! I carried my daughter in it a LOT, even up to age 18 months. Good luck!

I am a nanny for a few little ones ranging from 5 mos to 18 mos. I purchased an ergo a few months ago after seeing a mom wearing one. I absolutely love it and can carry even the 18 month old in it without experiencing any discomfort. I also love the versatility and often place the children on my back so I can move around freely. It is a little difficult to get the children on your back but once you get the hang of it, it gets easier. I have tried all the different carriers at one time or another and definitely think the ergo is the best!

My daughter lived in her Ergo for the first year of her life and we still use it (she is two) when we go to the airport or somewhere I need to have her contained. It is extremely comfortable and puts the weight on your hips (like a good backpack) as opposed to your shoulders. I used the Ergo in the grocery, Target, anywhere where most people use a big bulky stroller. It is also a wonderful bonding experience. There are many benefits to the Ergo over the Bjorn. I believe they are listed on the website. Hope you end up with one!
N.

The Ergo is completely worth it in my opinion. I used it all the time with my daughter from about 6 months (she outgrew my hotsling) to about 22 months. I use it pretty often with my 10 month old. It is very comfortable. Sometimes the back strap is a little hard to buckle, but if you set it up right before you put it on it's doable.

I also have a mei tei and it's ok, but love the ergo more.

The ergo baby carrier saved my life. I had tried them all I think.
I even used it till she was three.
I truly highly recommend it.
It takes a little minute to learn how to "use' it but it is well worth it.
AHHHHHHH two hands ,NO shoulder or or back pain,super soft cotton/comfort, your child right next to your heart,
zippered pocket for cell phone money ect.....
I still wish I could use mine sometimes but my girl is just too big now!

We used the Baby Katan when ours was little and the Ergo when she got bigger (heavier). Love it!!!! It is great for both mom and dad. Distributes weight evenly and is very comfortable.

I have not used that but I LOVED my Hotsling... my son had colic & reflux & I wore him all of the time- it was a Godsend!

You buy a size based on height, weight, bra size & measurement from shoulder to hip. They are magical ;)

You can sometimes get new ones cheaper on ebay (maybe last seasons style or someone that bought the wrong size).

I am a new mom 6 weeks. I love the Ergo. I heard that the Baby Bjorn is not as good. So I registered for the Ergo. It has been a life saver. I started going back to work last week. I have to take my daughter with me until she gets in a daycare. So when she is upset I wrap her in the infant insert and put her in the Ergo and after 5 minutes she calms down. Also, it does not put any pressure on my back. Highly recommnend! I bought one for my sister for her shower.

We love our ergo! My husband uses it as well. Great support for your back and for the baby. You can wear the baby in front, back or even on your hip (back and hip once they are a bit older and can hold up their head). I have also used slings which are great for shorter trips and are very compact to stuff in a diaper bag. The ergo is a bit pricey new - you might check craigs list or consignment shops. I got mine on craigs list for less than 1/2 price.

Other great carriers that is very supportive and resonable are mai tai (check out www.marsupialbabyslings.com) and mouna wraps (mounawrap.com)

Good luck!

go for it!
you can research everything at
www.thebabywearer.com/forum

in fact, check out the forum called Babywearers Near You!
You can meet someone in real life at a meet-up and try one on, etc. you can even make new friends!
there's a Broward Group, a Miami group...even if you're in another part of FL, you can find a like-minded mama to help you!

I never liked the Baby Bjorn, either! BUT there are wonderful carriers out there and they make life so much easier--don't give up!

I haven't used the Ergo, but I've heard great things about it. I used a wrap for my infant (you can make that--it's just five yards of jersey material) and then, once he could sit up, a Hot Sling (www.hotslings.com) and an Over-the-Shoulder-Baby-Holder :-) Sometimes the higher-end baby boutiques will have slings and carriers you can try.

I see you're in Tampa, but here's a great babywearing group in Sarasota--they meet on the third Thursday of every month at 10am at Birthways Birth Center (off the corner of Bee Ridge and McIntosh). The moms have tons of carriers--you can try whatever you're interested in and get advice. If you can make it to one meeting, I bet they can tell you where to go in Tampa.

Good luck!

The Ergo is a great carrier but it's not the only carrier out there. It's considered an SSC or soft structured carrier and there are many other brands just as good. I would also suggest you go to the forums on Thebabywearer.com and look at the Choosing and Using and Asian Carriers forum. They will be able to give you tons of info and help you find the best carrier for you. You may also like a MT (mei tei) like a Babyhawk or Kozy and they also make carriers which are hybrid- half buckle/half MT. There is also a FSOT (for sale or trade) board where you can buy gently used carriers from other mamas. That's where I've bought all my carriers and I've never had any trouble.

I personally don't care for Ergos only because they aren't as cute as other carriers out there. I use an Olives & Applesauce SSC all the time. If you're in the Brandon area shopping you may have seen me at some point with dd on my back. :) It is very comfortable and she tends to fall asleep in it. I have 3 kids so handsfree is a must! There is also a Babywearing group right here in the Tampa area. It's called Marsupial Mamas and you can find us in Yahoo Groups.

HTH! and Good luck!

I have a padapum. It's basically the same style as the Ergo. I love how the weight is distributed on the shoulders and the waist. Makes carrying baby easy. Can be worn on front or back, with child facing your body. Worn on front, feels like a hug. When my daughter go really big, I found wearing her on front was best because somehow wearing her on back on my very small frame messed up my center of gravity a little. She is 4 and I can still carry her in it if I want to! These things are great!

I have heard a lot of good things about the Ergo. It's pricey, but it's supposed to be the easiest on the back. I did not purchase one because I had already invested in a lot of other carriers. For my son, I preferred a Hotsling. I used it in 4 different carry positions before he got to be too heavy and independent to use it. I loved it for nursing too. You just fold it, put it on, pop your little one in, and go.

I am definitely a fan of baby wearing. I have heard that the carriers where the baby's weight hangs on their groin can be h*** o* their groins and hip flexors. Ones I would stay away from, if you're not fully set on getting an Ergo, are ring slings (hard to adjust and ring usually seems to fall right on collar bone) and mei tei carriers with tails that tie (cut into waist and the tails hang everywhere). I don't know if this helps. But if I can save others from spending as much as I have on carriers, I'll put it out there.

Check out: babywearer.com . It's a great resource for researching slings.

Best wishes!

I have one and loved it. I have to say...I never could figure out how to carry an infant in it. I carried my 4 yr old with out a problem. The Bjorn hurt my back too. That being said...I did have a difficult time with snapping the back support strap on..unless you have some one with you it's next to impossible (in my opinion) I do see other carriers similar to the Ergo now that might not cost as much and have less mechanics to them. Unfortunately my sister got in a cab in NYC and one of the straps were hanging out of the cab and it got ripped off. Never tried to trade it in with Ergo as it was already a few years old. :(

Hi there, I do personal consultations on baby wearing and the Ergo Carrier is one of my favorites! It does appear that many have back pain with the Baby Bjorn. Hip mama Couture ###-###-####

I've heard the Baby Bjorn isn't good for the baby's groin. I would definitely find a store or person that sells slings and carriers so you can try them on. I was fortunate enough to have Laura from Hip Mama Couture near me. (in Miami)
http://www.hipmamacouture.com/

Good luck!