Help! I think i want an ergo, but can't make a final decision!

[Yael]

Hey guys,

I need help! Somebody gave me an older style Baby Bjorn when i had DS, it sucked big time. I could never get him in or out (especially when asleep), it pulled on my neck & shoulders.

With DD i got a HAB, which was great when it was on, but i am a bit of a hack, and found it really hard and fiddly to get on and off (and when she was screaming it was even harder). Now DD is a bit older, so she doesn't need to be in it heaps (she was a pretty settled baby, and is happier playing on the floor then being in a carrier i suspect).

So I'm really getting it so when i want to go out to the supermarket or park or something like that, i can carry her and have my hands free, especially with my toddler, although i might wear her around the house, and I'm assuming i will be carrying my next bubs more in the beginning also.

So, i want a sling that is easy to get on and off, and is comfortable.

Everyone here seems to rave about the Ergo, so i tried it out in the store, and it was great, I'm sure it will take me a little while to learn how to get the clips done up behind my back etc, but more doable when standing in the middle of a car park then dragging the ends of my HAB on the ground. But then again i didn't wear it for that long to be able to tell 100%.

Some people said that they don't find the ergo comfortable, but i didn't have a problem so much, but like i said it might just be i didn't wear it long enough. I'm pretty short (like 155cm), and DD is only 7kg. Would playing around with the straps make it comfortable if it was a problem, or are there some people that the ergo just doesn't suit?

And are there any other ones that you guys recommend i check out? The reason i liked the ergo is for the waist band, but the lady in the store says she still thinks the Baby Bjorn in the best. Is that just because its a popular brand and costs more, or should i not have ruled it out based on my earlier experience?

Can you use an Ergo for a very tiny baby? DD was only 2.8kg at birth, would that have been a problem? And is it hard to put in the kid on your back position, or do you need somebody to help you?

And what is a good price for an Ergo? I think the baby store had them at $155, and i have a 10% off card. Can you get it cheaper elsewhere? I"m kicking myself as they had a sale recently and i didn't buy it then

Thanks guys!

[~Trish~]

Hi Yael! I have an Ergo and I absolutely love it. I did a lot of research first and found it the best one to suit my needs. The Baby Bjorn is terrible for your shoulders, whereas the Ergo puts the bulk of the weight on your hips. I still wear Kieran in it comfortably on my front and he is I'm guessing close to 9kg now. I use it every time we go to the supermarket or shopping centre and can walk for ages comfortably.

It takes no time to get used to the clips, I can get Kieran in it in around 30 seconds. I have heard that they don't always suit shorter people, but if you have tried it on and felt comfortable then I'm sure you will be fine.

I haven't tried K in the back position yet, but my friend bought one from me recently and she puts her 10.5 month old in it on her back by herself with no problems. I guess it will just take a bit of practice at first! I'm going to try it out with DH around before I give it a go by myself.

The price you can get it for with 10% off is pretty good. I have a few on my website (I became a stockist when I fell in love with them LOL) and could do a nice discount for you . But if you want the Ergo posted then you may be better off getting the one at the price you have found and get it straight away. PM me if you want to know what price I can do for you!

Ergos also hold their value really well, I have seen second hand ones sell on eBay for almost new prices!

Oh and you can buy an infant insert for tiny babies, I'm not sure if there is a minimum weight, but I'm sure your DD would have been fine in it.

HTH

[Marlene]

I bought a HAB for my DS when he was newborn, I absolutely LOVE it and raved to everyone about it! I would wear it for hours and hours on the weekends to older DS's sport days, and although I got quite fast at putting it on and taking it off I wanted something just a bit quicker for when I was just popping into the shops for a few minutes.

So, I ordered an ergo, and wooohoooo, I have never looked back. It is wonderful!! I actually feel rather guilty looking at my poor HAB sitting on the back seat of the car getting less and less use, LOL.

You can use the ergo for a tiny baby, you just need a special infant insert.
I am 165cm (not very tall either) and I find it very comfortable. Yes, you can play around with the straps to make it fit you better.

I think it is way better than a baby bjorn, my SIL has baby bjorn and definently not as comfy, and is apparently not very good for baby's developing spine either (especially if you plan to wear it often).

MIne cost $175 including a great backpack and postage, I got it from a website called babesinarms (I think). Might have been on special at the time.

If you have any more questions just ask.

ETA: Ok, just checked the website that I got mine from and they have the Indigo (blue) ergos for $127 including express postage or any other colour for $159 including express postage. If you would like the link PM me. The sale lasts till 31st August.

[Ginger]

just seconding what the others have said yael
i find the ergo fantastic. i use it every single day. i even lent it to my girlfriend recently as she took a trip to sydney and didn't want to take her pram on the plane/buses. she is still raving about how good it is!
i am 165cm tall and ds is 11kg. i find it sooo comfy.
i need someone to help me put him on my back but i can put him in the front position unassisted very quickly and easily.
honestly, i think it has probably been the 'best' baby purchase i've made.


oh, and i have the indigo one that marlene mentioned and the colour is absolutely gorgeous.

[Laranna]

Another Ergo lover here too! My in-laws bought it for me for my baby shower and it's brilliant. After a couple of practices and working out the best position for the straps for me, it is super quick and easy to put on. Haven't tried the back position yet as I still use the infant insert with DS as he is still little, plus I have been able to breastfeed him in when we're at the shops and I can keep walking around! Definitely one of my favourite baby items. I've got the black with the tan colour hood and insert.

As for size, I'm 156cm and find it very, very comfy. It doesn't put any strain on my back, neck or shoulders at all. The weight is dstributed evenly so it hardly feels like I am carrying something extra.

I'm glad I was given the Ergo but if it wasn't a gift I would have bought it anyway because I had heard it is ergonimically better for mums and bubs. I had read reviews about the Baby Bjorn that it places pressure on bubs spine so isn't good for them and it really peeved me that every baby shop I walked into only had Baby Bjorns! I am now starting to see the Ergo in a lot more shops which is great.

ETA: I don't know about other carriers but the Ergo is also easy to put on in the back seat of the car and then put bubs in it! I did this the other day when it was p!$$ing down with rain and then got out us of the car with the umbrella, neither of us got wet! I really loved my Ergo at that moment and the pram stayed in the boot!

[suse]

First of all, if a storeperson said that she thinks that Bjorn is 'the best', especially if she sells other carriers like Ergos, then I am inclined to think that she is thinking only of her profit margin!! There are many reasons why Bjorn are not the best, but the two clinchers are comfort for baby (they are supported by the crotch whereas an Ergo supports them in a sitting position), and comfort for Mum. Few can wear a baby in a Bjorn past 8kg, I could not use mine after about 6 weeks!!

I am one of those who did not find the Ergo comfortable compared to my other two shouldered carriers. That is to say, it was not actually uncomfortable, just not as comfortable. I could not use it for long carries - ie: upwards of three or four hours - as I can with other carriers. I also own a mei tai, a woven wrap and a Connecta (mei tai style SSC). I am about 5.7, but narrow in the shoulders, and I found that the Ergo's padding was too bulky for my preference. If you've tried it on, you would have a pretty good idea of how it works for you, but it is preferable to try it for longer if you can.

Yes, they do become second nature to put on. There are different ways to get bubs onto your back for back carries, with the hip scoot being the easiest with an Ergo (IMO) (google it - there are youtube videos). Unless you are like me and have a bub who can't hang on or wriggles a lot, then it is safer to put the carrier on a chair/couch, sit bub on it, then sit in front of them and do up the waist band, then lift them up. But with other methods it's good to practice with a spotter or over a bed, then once confident you won't need the spotter. It is easier with a cooperative toddler or baby though.

You can buy an infant insert which can be used from newborn to four months.

Another good carrier that has a mei tai stylre waist band, cinches in for newborn or outward facing carries and can be worn up to 20kg is the Pikkolo.

HTH!!

[Olive]

yael your welcome to borrow mine to try if you'd like!! i find it uncomfy now im pregnant!! let me know!

[Yael]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I'm going to get one - like somebody said, they sell for almost the new price on ebay, so i can always sell it if it doesn't suit.

AJP - I've PMed you

[angelsgirl]

Seriously... the lady said that the Baby Bjorn is the best???
I work in a baby shop. We stok BBjorn, and the ergo as well as a couple of one shouldered slings. I HATE selling a BBjorn. I seriously get someone else to help the people who are hell bent on getting one. I wouldn't care if we earnt more of a profit from the BB... what you want it a truly satisfied customer who will tell everyone what they have and where they got it from!
I'm not that great with the ergo, but I'm allowed to take my bub to work when I go back, and if i want to use a carrier, I have to use one that we stock... (which is kinda sad... i love my wrap!!!). And I will be learning how to use the Ergo... Better that than a sore back from the BBjorn!!!