Ergo experience?

[fjkelly]

Hi,

I'm 23 weeks with my first and very keen to do lots oif babywearing. Does anyone have experience with the Ergo carrier and particularly use with the infant insert?

Thanks,
Fiona

[Dabble]

I love my Ergo. I have used it through two kids, but I admit that I preferred a wrap for when they were tiny. As they got a bit bigger (like 2-3 months) and started supporting their heads reliably, the Ergo was my best friend, starting with the front carry and progressing to the back carry through toddlerhood.

I personally think the infant insert might be a waste of money. It seems to me that a towel could perform the same function. I think that $ (is it $20 for that thing?!?!) could be better put toward a wrap or sling for the newborn days.

[completebeginnings]

I have loved mine for 2 plus kids. I prefer a sling for infant use(although I did use my Ergo with out the infant insert) and a sling for a fussy baby since it is easier to change positions alot and put baby in and out.

[MamaMem]

When I finally bought a Moby Wrap for my first(6 mo or so), I loved it. But he was/is a big boy and quickly outgrew it. I was too cheap to buy an Ergo. BUt I borrowed a friends one day to try it. It is the only thing on my list to get for this baby. I really really want one by the time it is 3 mo or so.

[flower01]

I love my Ergo- we use it regularly for my 2 yo for grocery store trips, walks through the park, and busy places where a stroller would really be a big pain - like on a train! I didn't even get it until my DD was 1yo. For the first year I used a pouch and a Moby - IMO, those 2 are much more snuggly and comfortable for a baby. As much as I love the Ergo, I don't enjoy wearing the buckles around the house - it was so easy to pop the LO in and out of the pouch and it folds up so small. The Ergo is definitely a bigger piece of equipment that you have to carry around - still totally worth it, but not necessary for an infant.

[rightkindofme]

I didn't get the Ergo until she was around seven months old. To be honest with you, I hated it for quite a while. I was used to wrapping and that was better for me. At this point I can see the benefits of being able to quickly get her in and out of the Ergo but I still prefer wraps. My husband is not comfortable with doing back carries with a wrap though so we keep it.

[NanoMama]

ergo fan

I use my Ergo extensively with my 8.5 month dd and have since she was 3 months. I looked at the infant insert when she was small but it seemed a bit awkward to me and instead used a ring sling for babywearing. We did also have a baby bjorn (baby shower gift) that my DH liked to wear her with. I used that a bit too but didn't love it and later read how it might not be the greatest in terms of the baby's weight distribution.
Anyway, good luck and enjoy!
(I'm wearing my DD as I type this [she is nap'n away] - I LOVE looking down at her sweet little face!!)

[KaliShanti]

I love my Ergo! My baby was 9 lbs at birth and reached 20 lbs by FOUR months and I am a tiny woman and had no problems carrying him in it. I loved it. I got it a bit to late to use the infant insert, so I can't wait to try with my new baby coming in Nov!

[snuggly]

Wrap>Ergo

We started out using the ergo with and infant insert... But when dd was about 2 months I got a Sleepy Wrap (similar to the moby)... My one parenting regret thus far is that we did not have it sooner! So snuggly for little ones... I think that dd felt like she was back inside when in the wrap! Anyway, at around 4 months- When she felt comfortable with the straddle position we started to use the Ergo without the insert. This was the perfect timing because at that point she wanted to start looking around and being alittle less snuggled in and the Ergo was much more comfy for me as she grew. With my next one (someday!) We'll probably go wrap to ergo and skip the insert. Have fun!
Heidi

[baturay]

I personally didn't find the Ergo comfy for front carries nor for infant use. I didn't like that I couldn't cross the straps at the back and it felt like it was pulling forward on my shoulders. I also didn't like that I couldn't get a tight fit in a front carry with a newborn, unless I used the insert or a receiving blanket. This is why I prefer the Pikkolo or even the Beco over the Ergo.

[hrsmom]

Originally Posted by Chimpmandee

I love my Ergo. I have used it through two kids, but I admit that I preferred a wrap for when they were tiny. As they got a bit bigger (like 2-3 months) and started supporting their heads reliably, the Ergo was my best friend, starting with the front carry and progressing to the back carry through toddlerhood.

I personally think the infant insert might be a waste of money. It seems to me that a towel could perform the same function. I think that $ (is it $20 for that thing?!?!) could be better put toward a wrap or sling for the newborn days.

Exactly this.

My babe didn't like being in the Ergo when she was tiny, but we did great with the wrap! I wish I had know this ahead of time, because it was so disappointing not to be able to use the Ergo. Live and learn! Since about four months of age, we have logged many many hours with the Ergo! I think there are other options that are just as good, but my actual experience is with the Ergo.

[AislinCarys]

DD loves the Ergo! We didn't actually get it until she was 8 months old (but, oh, do I wish we had!!!). DD hated the wrap, and refused the cradle hold in any carrier, so we ended up using a push chair until a friend lent me her Ergo, and DD went straight to sleep in it! I think she likes being upright (always did), and that it doesn't restrict her body (she hated being swaddled as well).

[Magali]

Originally Posted by fjkelly

Hi,

I'm 23 weeks with my first and very keen to do lots oif babywearing. Does anyone have experience with the Ergo carrier and particularly use with the infant insert?

Thanks,
Fiona

I have lukewarm feelings towards my ergo. I find that wearing ds in a front carry really makes the straps dig into my flesh and it gets uncomfortable. I really prefer something softer like a wrap or meitai. For a back carry I actually really like the ergo. I do have issues with how it pushes my pants down in the back and I am constantly pulling them up and adjusting. Also, the straps need to be adjusted when you switch from back to front and they can be a little tricky. The ergo is convenient though because there are no long straps that can drag on the ground.

[calebsmommy25]

I love, love, love my ergo. I didn't get one until ds was 10 months, because we didn't want to spend that much on it. If I knew how much easier it would have made my life, I would have. I wear my ds everywhere in it. He loves it.

When he was an infant until we got the ergo, I used a wrap. So, I don't have any experience with an infant insert for the ergo, but I did really enjoy wrapping him up when he was tiny. It took me a while to learn how to wrap him up well and comfortably, but once we did, it was great.

Good luck finding something that is comfortable for you and congrats on the pregnancy...:

[starling&diesel]

My little one is 14 weeks now and we've been wearing her in the Ergo since she was newborn. We didn't buy the infant insert. We used a thick fleece baby blanket folded such that it would support her head. This is mostly because we live where it was very cold when she was very small, so the blanket did double duty to keep her warm. At three months and a bit, she can hold her head up well and is enjoying looking around more. We started out with her cross-wise like it shows in the video, but at about 8 weeks she started going in there upright with her feet froggy-style. Makes sense?

She hates the ring sling, and is not a big fan of the moby style wrap that we have, but she loves, loves, loves her Ergo! It's the only one I would deem essential. We plan to use it until she is a toddler. She hasn't been in a stroller yet!

[aquamam]

I love our Ergo too! I bought an infant insert on Craiglist for 10$, but I didn't care much for the position of the baby in it, the whole contraption was big and bulky. Plus we had serious reflux at first, and babe could only be COMPLETELY upright at all times (even sleeping), so we used a Bjorn in the early days.

DH loves the Ergo too (he'll only do structured carriers). DS loves it best of all, on the back. And our 3 YO (admittedly tiny) DD loves getting her turn in it too!