Do you have a Pikkolo?

[surprisedmama]

I was interested in the Pikkolo until I saw the attachable padded waist belt. It scared me a bit I assumed it had one like the Ergo or Beco. I love the support from the built in waist belt and it seems like this could be a little risky. I was wondering if it is really supportive up to toddlerhood or if you end up with back pain? What is it like with out the waist belt? Compared to the Beco or Ergo how does it hold up for comfort?

Any other comments are welcome.

Thanks

[Googy]

I personally love that the Pikkolo doesn't have to have the waist padding. I was overwhelmed in an Ergo, its was just too bulky for me. The Pikkolo is much more streamlined. I still carry my 14 month old for long periods of time in the Pikkolo with no pain or discomfort. I haven't bothered to order the waist padding yet. I haven't needed it. Maybe I will when she gets bigger??? Who knows.

[Quirky]

I love the Pikkolo without the support belt for front carries, because of the lack of bulkiness. I'm not one who really enjoys the hip belt of an Ergo or something similar for a front carry, particularly if I'm going to be standing up and sitting down a lot.

However, the support belt makes the Pikkolo awesome for back carries -- the design is ingenious and I don't think it's any less comfy for me than an Ergo. The straps being snugly buckled against you are going to hold the hip belt against your body and cause the baby's weight to be effectively transferred to your hips.

Also, I really like the double adjuster shoulder straps as they're always able to be adjusted so you're pulling the straps towards the front, so that's a bonus over the Ergo or Beco (both of which I use and love, but they're not as easily adjustable for a back carry because of the tricep-curl maneuver you have to do to tighten the shoulder straps by pulling straight back towards baby.)

Finally, I love the memory foam in the shoulder straps. I think it's genius.

[maymorales]

I have heard it's useful to have the waist belt to wear baby forward facing out. It takes away the strain as you would in, say, a Bjorn.
Quirky pretty much summed it up, though.

[surprisedmama]

This was my concern that it would be like the Bjorn, it looks like it without the waist belt. I don't like strain on my shoulders at all. I like all the support on the waist. Does the Pikkolo pull on you shoulders or put all the weight on the hips?