ergo baby carrier, is it worth it?

[Katie1108]

I am desperately looking for a new baby carrier for my 15 month old. I've tried the frame backpacks, but I'm pretty short and find that they don't fit me quite right and are therefore pretty uncomfortable. I mostly use my kangaroo korner fleece pouch, which I love, but lately it has begun to make my lower back hurt when I try to carry my 23 pound ds in it for long distances. Plus, I can't carry a bag and I need somewhere to put diapers and snacks when we go to the park. We love to take long walks, but I hate to use the stroller. Has anyone used the ergo with a larger baby for long periods of time with success and comfort? I have a baby trekker, but it's so hard to get him in it at the park and stuff and also I don't like that his arms aren't free. I don't know how he'll do being on my back, he's so used to being in front, but if he can see over my shoulder that might help. Can the baby see what's going on?

TIA for any advice!

Katie

[PuppyFluffer]

I just recently got the ergo carrier for my 9 month old dd. (I know she is not a toddler, I'm just lurking here and learning of things to come!) She is only 15 pounds but we like it. I can hardly feel her back there. The weight is distributed over your hips. She can look around me if she leans a bit to the side.

It is a bit hard to get the baby into at first and you will need some help initially.

The only negative I have noticed about it is that it does not fit my husband and he is not a big guy, just average. so that is a bummer.

I hope youget some feedback from folks with older/larger kidos, but I really like it.

[Liz]

I liked my Baby Trekker. I don't know what you mean by not having his arms free, they stick out the sides, no? I wore my son facing me (I just had to see his face) but most people seem to wear their babies facing out then they can see and move allot. My dh liked to wear him on his back but it did take two of us to get him in there. I could load him on my front just by strapping the waist part on first really tight then with the front hanging down pick up my son and hold him to me with one arm. With the other throw the strap over my shoulder, grab it and bring it forward with my free hand and clip it using the hand of the arm I'm holding the baby with. Then switch arms to hold the baby (although at this point the Baby Trekker is taking some weight) and do it again with the other strap. I could tighten if necessary after. I find the tighter the straps the better the weight is distributed. I carried ds until he was about 18 months but I was working full time by then so I kind of got out of shape. My SIL carried my nephew every day to daycare in hers until he was 2. If you keep it up you stay in shape. It is hard though so I wouldn't be too quick to poo poo the stroller. Especially when it gets hot. There is nothing worse than strapping a hot baby to your chest, except maybe being strapped to a hot mama!

[Katie1108]

Thanks for the help!

I don't like to use the Baby Trekker on the front because it really throws off my balance and it is quite hard to get my ds in it in the back by myself. But you're right, I may have to go to a stroller eventually, I'm just resisting as long as I can...

I guess I'll just have to do what I always do, order one, try it out and see if I like it. I can always mail it back, right?

Thanks again,
Katie