ERGObaby Carrier: Carry Me Home!
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If you wear your baby as much as I do or simply have a heavy baby, you’re going to love the ERGObaby Carrier ($105). Choose from three different ways to wear your child — either a front, back or hip carry. The ergonomic design puts the baby into a correct sitting position for hip, pelvis and spine growth — no hanging from the crotch like other front carriers. It’s also way more ergonomic for the parent as the baby’s weight is balanced onto the parent’s hips and shoulders instead of just the shoulders. It’s also one-size-fits-almost-all as the wide waist belt adjusts from 25 to 43 inches and the shoulder straps can accomodate parents from 5′ to 6′6".
Several improvements have recently been made to the design. In this new version, the chest straps are now permanently attached to the shoulder straps — this way the chest straps are kept in the desired location for buckling and don’t slide all around when not in use. The hood straps (to protect the baby’s head from the sun or cold) are now shorter and snap directly onto the shoulder straps. The hood has elastic on the sides and cups around the baby’s head. Organic and regular cotton fabrics are available in a variety of colors. Other features include soft padded shoulder straps and a front pocket with a side zipper pocket.
How to Use: For the front carry, attach the waist strap buckle, then put your arms through the shoulder straps, place child in the carrier (facing you) and then attach the chest straps behind your neck. I felt a difference while using the ERGObaby, my little 17 lb baby girl actually felt lighter than in other types of carriers and there was no back strain. I was even able to easily wear my 28 lb three year old in a front and back carry.
Additional Accessories: To go truly hands free, you can add on a backpack and a waist pouch from ERGObaby. The backpack ($37), sold separately, actually snaps onto the ERGObaby Carrier or you can wear it on its own. It easily zips open for quick access and comes with two pockets with velcro closure, plus a bottle holder. The inside held a lot. The pouch ($21), also sold separately, attaches to the waist belt of the carrier with velcro and and has shoulder straps (if you don’t want to attach it to you). You can also get a coordinating changing kit that folds up into its own bag.
Pros: This is probably one of the most comfortable carriers that I’ve ever used (and I’ve used many). You can use this from newborn to toddlers up to 40 lbs. The hood is great for covering a sleeping or cold child (and snaps onto the carrier).
Cons: Reaching around behind my neck to connect the buckle straps was difficult. Also parents used to a Baby Bjorn may miss the child facing-out position in ERGObaby’s front carry.
Celebrity fans of the ERGOBaby Carrier are Julia Roberts, Keri Russell, Bridget Moynahan, Amanda Peet and Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
– Nancy
- Posted on Oct 22, 08 at 6:00AM
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- 11 Comments
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Absolutely LOVE my Ergo. After giving up on using my peanut shell sling, original baby bjorn, active baby bjorn, I found that the Ergo is the best & most comfortable. FYI, my 4mo is a 22 lb heavyweight!
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
I have this carrier (the older version) and it is amazing! I love it. My back never hurts like it did with my Bjorn.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
i can’t even explain how much i LOVE this carrier!! my 10 month old son feels so light in it. my back or shoulders have never hurt. and my son loves the fact that he gets to be so close to me. before i got this carrier i was concerned that my son would much rather look outward(like in the bjorn) but it wasn’t the case at all. he likes being able to see me and he can still turn his head to check out where we are.
this carrier has made shopping a breeze. there are two pockets on it (so no need to buy the additional pouch thing). i just throw my credit card or cash in the zipper pocket and off we go!
i spent more money on this carrier though(because i got the organic one- i really just like the green color!) but it is probably my all time favorite baby purchase. i really don’t know what i would do without it
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
A couple of my friends use the Ergo and we plan on buying it to use for the baby we are expecting in a few months. I tried carrying babies in both this and the original Bjorn, and I preferred the Ergo hands down. I have scoliosis and this felt so much better on my back than the Bjorn did.
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
My husband and I fight over who gets to wear our daughter in this carrier–it is so comfortable! Do yourself a favor and get one.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I LOVE my Ergo, we got one when our son was 5 months and like ak, my husband and I fight over who gets to wear him. It’s so comfortable and the fact that it works equally well for a skinny 6 foot guy and an overweight 5′2 woman really say something.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Wow – am I the only one to say that it looks a little frumpy to wear? From what I’m hearing though, the comfort aspect outweighs the style. Already have two toddlers, but will consider this one for friends.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I love my Ergo (so does my 1-year old), and I recommend it all the time. A co-worker of mine actually carried one of our managers around the stroller department at our store in the Ergo we have out for customers to try (at a big baby store). My coworker probably doesn’t weigh more than 130lbs, and our manager is smaller than her, but still over 100lbs. It was hilarious, but they both said it was very comfortable!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:37 am
We have an Ergo and a Patapum and we infinitely prefer the Patapum. It’s less bulky and much more comfortable. The carrier goes up higher on the baby’s back so it supports her better. And there is an extra strap which holds the baby closer to the parent’s body. The weight distribution is better so it’s easier on my back. I wear my one year old in a wrap most of the time and between the Ergo and the Patapum, the Patapum mimics the comfort of the wrap much more than the Ergo.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
We LOVE this carrier. Hands down the best baby item we own. I have horrible back problems – I think this carrier actually HELPS my back in general. Our son is so comfty in this carrier – we used it 2wks after he was born with the insert!
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
We love this carrier. Comfortable, doesnt hurt my back and my little girl loves it too