thread: Ergo and back carry, how do you do it?

  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Feb 2008
    Adelaide SA
    684

    Ergo and back carry, how do you do it?

    We have an ergo for ds2 and he is getting to the age where we can carry him on our backs. I have no idea how to put him on my back though when I'm on my own. Any tips or tricks? I think he would love the different vantage point and I might find it a bit easier than having him on my front. Tia!

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  2. #2
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    Sep 2006
    Dandy Ranges ;)
    7,526

    There are a few ways ... to start with, sit on a bench side-ways and get him to stand behind you, then feed the fabric between his legs and then over his back.

    Or get him to hold you around your neck and pull the fabric over him and then feed your arms through the straps. Sometimes I get Pip to stand in front, facing me, then I grab hold of him with my arms crossed over and swing him onto my back, he holds around my neck and I hold his arms with one hand, fix one strap, then swap hands over. A bit of a jiggle and all set ...

    But practice with help to begin with!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    I found the easiest way for me was to put the carrier on my hip, put kid in, pull back of it up and gather the straps in front of kid, and shuffle them around- sorta bouncing them ITMS? Then I put my arms through the straps and tighten them more

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    I put the carrier on my waist, lift DS into a piggy back by sliding him around my body (he's pretty good at holding on), then hold him with one hand under the carrier/his bum and raise the back with the other. I use my elbow to hook the strap and slide that arm in. Once one strap's on it's pretty easy.

  5. #5
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    Aug 2010
    Near Fremantle, WA
    347

    I do the same as Kim by the sound of it. You really need to see it, did you look at the video? I think it's on YouTube too.

    I put the waist belt on and hold DS in front of me facing me, then put my arm over his head and scoop him around onto my back and lean forward a bit. Once he's on my back and stuck there by gravity I loop my arms into the straps.
    It sounds and looks hard but just takes some practice.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    1,612

    I really struggled with the back carry on my own, and the easiest way I found was to lay my ergo down (on the bed, couch, car seat), lay DD in position, then I would sit in front of her, and do the buckle up around my hips, and then lifted the straps up over my arms, effectively pulling DD into place. I found this technique on youtube as well. Hth

  7. #7
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber. Love a friend xxx

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    1,424

    Don't know if I'm allowed to post the link but on the ergo home page there's an instructional video that shows you how to do it. Takes a bit of practice for both you and your LO to get used to and I always prefer to have someone on hand as 'catcher' or to help me untangle myself if I mess it up, but I can do it solo ok!

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Feb 2006
    NSW Central Coast
    5,301

    When DS1 was a bit older (about 12ish mths) I did the same as Kim, but when he was about 9ish mths, I used to do it sitting on the lounge or bed. Do up the waist strap around you waist at the back, have your DS close so you can layhim onto the pouch bit, then lift it all up with him and do up the arm straps.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Ouiinslano
    5,303

    Waist belt on.
    Hoik baby over your shoulder.
    Bend forward so you're in an upside down L shape, with babe lying on your back.
    Right arm grabs padded part of strap, then pull up and over.
    Lean slightly to right side.
    Pull left strap out wide, then up and over your shoulder.
    Round your back to get body of carrier fully over baby
    Stand up, shuffle a bit, do up chest strap.

    We love back carrying here!

  10. #10
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    related question - how do you adjust it so it's comfy? Sometimes when I put it on it's grea,t sometimes it's really uncomfortable and I can' tfor the life of me figure out why.
    Do you have a trick?

  11. #11
    Registered User

    May 2006
    Igglepiggle Land
    2,742

    Lol, I lay it down (on the bed, ground, back of the wagon - wherever lol) and get DS to lay on it and I put his leg in the spot where it should go.....then lean back so I'm almost laying on DS (get some funy looks lol), do up the waist buckle, pick up the other arm strap and put it on - and off we go lol!!

    FWIW DS thinks its classic and laughs hysterically!

  12. #12
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    Feb 2008
    Adelaide SA
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    Thanks everyone. I'll have to do some practice I think. Just put him in there with dh help and he is fast asleep! Think I will need to get the hang of this quick as it will come in handy when I'm trying to do housework or cook dinner! Love it!


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  13. #13
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    Aug 2010
    Near Fremantle, WA
    347

    related question - how do you adjust it so it's comfy? Sometimes when I put it on it's grea,t sometimes it's really uncomfortable and I can' tfor the life of me figure out why.
    Do you have a trick?
    Is their bottom right down and straight? Are their arms out and not between you both? These are our main issues.
    Do you jump up and down a bit till they settle into position?

  14. #14
    Registered User
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    Aug 2010
    Near Fremantle, WA
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    Thanks everyone. I'll have to do some practice I think. Just put him in there with dh help and he is fast asleep! Think I will need to get the hang of this quick as it will come in handy when I'm trying to do housework or cook dinner! Love it!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Awesome!

    I cherish the times when DD would only settle in the sling when I was doing the vacuuming, strange as that may sound.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Perth
    3,299

    I do the same as Audax. It does take a few goes to get the hang of but once you find the technique that's most comfortable for you, it's easy Love my Ergo!

  16. #16
    Registered User

    May 2011
    21

    Yep I do the side scoot with on hand holding the shoulder straps up to ds shoulder and my other hand pulls him around onto my back. Google side scoot with mei tei on you tube, there is one video that I found was great in showing it