Hi moms. My baby outgrew our beloved, and well used, Baby Bjorn a while ago, and I got an ergo Baby to replace it. Since my son detests slings, I was happy to find the Ergo. i was particualrly happy that it works up to 40 pounds. I've been using it now for several months, and need something else. My biggest problem is that the Ergo Baby was sooo not designed for a single mom dealing with a squirming toddler and two dogs. I can't get him on my back on without the carrier being set up on my wing-back chair, and I can't reach the buckle in back when I put him on my front. i am very sad to not have a good carrier. i live in the city, in a condo, and have to take the dogs out several times a day, which means that the whole crew - baby, dogs and mom - go out together. Love the fresh air, but need a better baby carrier.
Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm sticking with the Ergo for now, since I can't afford to buy another carrier. I will try out some of the others as soon as a replacement is in my budget, especially the Pikkolo. I'm still using the wingback chair when I put him on, but he's objecting a lot less these days, so it's working much better.
We have the Pikkolo and love it! But if you want to see a comparison of several carriers, check out: http://www.theportablebaby.com/carrierfeatures.html
I would suggest trying the Ergo again. I am able to put it on my back without having it set up anywhere, it just takes some practice. I think it only took a few times of trying before I got it. Watch the DVD that came with it or go to their website and watch it. It involves putting it on in front, putting the baby in, holding him with one hand and shimmying him around to the back while bending forward to keep him balanced on your back then fastening the chest clip. You can gently bounce the baby around to get him in the best position then. I hope it works out for you because I think it's a great carrier.
We have a really light weight Evenflo backpack- and LOVE it!
It's got a stand, so it's easy to get on with just one person, and it gets the baby up high so that he can see what's going on. All three of my kids loved the backpack, and it was easy on my back.
Good luck!
I agree with the others, try the ergo again, but if not, try a hard frame backback. We have both and really like them.
Hi C.,
I would give the Ergo a second chance. I have one and love it. Have you watched the DVD for suggestions as to how to use it on your back? Once you get the hang of it, it's quite easy, but it takes a bit of practice. I find that I need to have the chest strap in a different place when I wear it on the front than on the back. It needs to be pretty high up when I wear it on my front so that I can close it myself. Have you tried the hip carry position? That might be a good compromise...
I also live in the city, in a walk-up, and am home alone all day with my daughter. The Ergo has been key in getting us out of the house. I would highly recommend you give it a second chance!
Best,
R.
I use the ergo with my squirmy toddler frequently. It took some practice for both of use to get used to putting him on my back with the carrier on, but it works really well now. I clip it round my waist and put on arm in and then slide him on my back and put one leg in. He's stable enough once one leg is in (and he's half held by the ergo) for me to get the other arm in and wiggle him down. I wouldn't give up yet, I've had just about every carrier/sling/wrap out there and this one really is one of the easiest and lightest. You could get a backpack frame carrier, but those bulky and you run into things as you turn around. They are also difficult to put on once your child gets heavier.
I love my ergo but agree that the chest strap needs some working on. One thing that I've suggested to my husband, who usually carries my daughter, is that instead of unbuckling the chest strap and slipping the arms off, maybe you can unbuckle one of the arm strap and take the whole thing off that way. Not sure.
Also try some of the Mei Tai carriers - I hear Beco, babyhawk, and some others are good, and similar in design. There may be one where the straps cross in the back/front that would work better.
