Ergo or Hug-a-Bub?

[Emily's Mama]

I can only buy one and need opinions on which I should get....

I have a 4 month old (tall but average weight) baby. I did buy and use a Hug a Bub with great success for a couple months, but then we lost it . At the time, baby was very fussy and cried a lot in evenings, so it was worn a lot then. So it helped A LOT. It was very comfortable on my back. But it was also hot (live in Australia, so it's summer here now)

Baby is more agreeable now and does not need to be carried to decrease fussiness now. But I'd like another carrier, as I now only have an old Baby Bjorn type carrier, and I've heard it's not great on their hips. Though I still might use it for very quick in and out carries.

I also have an old framed backpack. I do like the backpack option of the Ergo, but I could also just use this old backpack too.

So...if you've used both (or a similar one to Hug a Bub) then which is more comfy for your own back/neck? Which one did your baby seem to prefer? Which one felt hotter? Which one was easier to put on and take off? Overall, which one would you buy?

[junipervt]

I've used a hug a bub & loved it when the babe that I cared for was tiny, but as she got bigger it was not as comfortable. She tended to sag a bit & I was constantly tightening it.
I have also used an Ergo & don't reccomend it if your little one is tall. It isn't a very tall carrier & the babe will be able to lean back which will not be comfortable for you. It is however very easy to get on.
If I had a 3rd choice I'd get a Beco or a Baby Hawk Mei Tai. The Beco it like the Ergo, but one big diffrence is that it is a taller carrier. It is also very easy to get the baby in & out of. A Baby Hawk Mei Tai is also a bit taller. Since you've already done a wrap I don't think you'll have any problems with the straps.
http://www.becobabycarrier.com/
http://www.babyhawk.com/

[pixiepunk]

stretchy wraps aren't very comfy IMO as baby gets older/heavier. i would think a mei tai or a SSC (ergo is one, but there are a lot on the market) would be a better option.

i mostly do back carries, but i find a frame backpack uncomfortable (my DH quite likes it though). i find it throw my center of gravity off because the baby is not right up against you, and it's also head-flop city when baby falls asleep back there because they can't rest their head on your shoulder. a MT or SSC has the baby right up against your body, so the center of gravity is maintained, and it's more snuggly and a lot better if baby falls asleep (most have headrests or hoods to stop floppy heads from lolling about).

MT's and SSC's are also both going to be cooler options than the wrap because there's a lot less fabric. but if you thought you might also like to have a wrap around, you could always go to a fabric store and buy about 5-6 yds of cotton gauze/crinkle cotton and cut it lengthwise down the middle. it doesn't fray so you wouldn't even need to hem it if you didn't want to. and it's usually pretty inexpensive, like $2-$4 per yard. oh - just remembered you're in Australia. something in the neighborhood of 4.5 meters should do the trick. no idea of the cost there but it's a fairly inexpensive fabric generally. and works a bit better with heavier babies since it doesn't stretch, and is quite lightweight and airy so not nearly as hot either as the stretchy wrap.

HTH!!

[cotopaxi]

Anything but a stretchy wrap at this age - she'll just outgrow it really soon!

I 100% agree with pp - an MT or SSC; Ergo or one of the many other options.

[eclipse]

The Ergo was not comfy for me with a young baby - not until he was old enough to ride comfortable on my back did we use it much - around a year old or so, for us. I loved the Hug-a-Bub in his early days, but. . .you can make a wrap SO easily with a couple of yards of fabric. You don't even need to hem the seams if you don't want to. Just buy a few yards of fabric, fold it in half the long way, cut along the fold and Voila! two wraps.

[Emily's Mama]

Originally Posted by pixiepunk

MT's and SSC's are also both going to be cooler options than the wrap because there's a lot less fabric. but if you thought you might also like to have a wrap around, you could always go to a fabric store and buy about 5-6 yds of cotton gauze/crinkle cotton and cut it lengthwise down the middle. it doesn't fray so you wouldn't even need to hem it if you didn't want to. and it's usually pretty inexpensive, like $2-$4 per yard. oh - just remembered you're in Australia. something in the neighborhood of 4.5 meters should do the trick. no idea of the cost there but it's a fairly inexpensive fabric generally. and works a bit better with heavier babies since it doesn't stretch, and is quite lightweight and airy so not nearly as hot either as the stretchy wrap.

HTH!!

then do you just wrap it around and put baby in it like you would a Hug a Bub?

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by Emily's Mama

then do you just wrap it around and put baby in it like you would a Hug a Bub?

Yep, it will work just like the hug a bub - if you get a less stretchy fabric, it will last longer (stretchy is comfiest for the littlest ones, but as they get bigger they stretch it out too much.)

[SageR]

I have both. I used the Hug a Bub for the first few months and move onto the Ergo when they have good head/neck control. I just started wearing my 7 month old on my back as he can sit up unassisted now. I agree that the Ergo is much more comfortable than a frame backpack.

I would recommend the Ergo given your lo's age. I think you will get a lot of use out of it,

[Super Glue Mommy]

I love my BECO! which is great for my 3 1/2 year old, 2 year old, and 7 month old (and he's been using it since about 3 months) so definitely getting ym milage on this one after trying literally 10 different carriers between the 3 kids. but between the two options you said, I have heard more good things about the ergo, but have never owned one.

[Emily's Mama]

Thanks for your advice, all.

Think I'll make a Hug a Bub type wrap myself and buy an Ergo. Unfortunately I cannot get them in australia though, but internet purchase makes this world a much smaller place!

[pixiepunk]

Originally Posted by Emily's Mama

then do you just wrap it around and put baby in it like you would a Hug a Bub?

for most people it's easier with a stretchy wrap like a hug-a-bub to tie it on first and pop baby in and out. with a cotton gauze or a sturdy woven wrap, i've always found it easier to tie it on around the baby to get a nice snug fit - though some people pop their babes in and out after pre-tying a woven or gauze wrap too. the tying is very similar, it's just a matter of whether you tie it on first or tie it around baby.

mamatoto.org has some good wearing videos/pictures about different tying methods for wraps.

[Emily's Mama]

Originally Posted by pixiepunk

for most people it's easier with a stretchy wrap like a hug-a-bub to tie it on first and pop baby in and out. with a cotton gauze or a sturdy woven wrap, i've always found it easier to tie it on around the baby to get a nice snug fit - though some people pop their babes in and out after pre-tying a woven or gauze wrap too. the tying is very similar, it's just a matter of whether you tie it on first or tie it around baby.

mamatoto.org has some good wearing videos/pictures about different tying methods for wraps.

Definitely think I'll have to check out that site to learn how to put the wrap on the baby first! Without seeing it done, I think I would find it a bit of a puzzle!