Hey Dusty

I've never used the infant insert with the ergo, I had other carriers for the kids when they were that little, and I think the ergo is just better suited for older babies and toddlers (in my opinion of course!) Having said that, I got rid of my ergo's (yes I had more than one) because they had quite a short back on them, and having long kids, it always felt they were going to flop out.. LOL

I haven't tried a pikkolo, but when I was doing my research on whether to get a mei tai or a pikkolo - i went with a babyhawk Oh Snap instead, and then got rid of that for a mei tai.

Totally depends if you can be bothered doing up ties, or if you think you would be better off with a full buckle carrier (SSC) like the ergo. I am still on the look out for a comfy SSC, all the ones I have tried haven't been very comfy for me. I have a half buckle at the moment (So its a buckle around the waist like a SSC, but ties on the top like a mei tai) and that is super comfy, so I use that a lot.

I also have a full mei tai (kleinsmekker) which DH usually uses because he finds that more comfy for him, however he can't tie it himself, so I have to tie it for him.

I have a close carrier as well that i will use for the new baby.

That probably hasn't helped at all has it.. LOL