Baby Carrier/backpack

My daughter is almost 5 months, I love the Ergo baby carrier, so versatile and easy to use - front, back, and hip carry. I wrote about it on my blog:
http://ecobabyz.blogspot.com/2009/04/top-baby-gear-picks....

i bought a babyhawk and really liked it. I also tried an Ergo and in my opinion they're almost exactly the same. The only difference is wrap vs clips. Both give far better support than the baby bjorn.

The Ergo is fantastic and you can use it to age 2 at least. They are expensive, but you can sometimes find one used (like I did). Totally worth it either way.

I LOVE the Ergo. It's really comfortable for carrier an older child.

Check out http://www.bostonbabywearers.com/ - at their meetings you can try on all different kinds, and they can lend you one to take home for a month. They're meeting this Saturday, June 20, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, at Lexington's Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington Center.

I had a Maya wrap ring sling for my firstborn, hip, front and back carries pretty easy if lopsided. For my second had a Moby wrap when she was smal, until about 20lbs. At a babywearing meeting I fell in love with asian-styled carriers (like an Ergo without buckles). For economy I made my own mei tai. My daughter at 2 will still ask to be in it while I'm cooking.

I liked the idea of the versatility of a wrap, but after the Moby it never became my primary mode.

If you're looking at the Ergo try also to look at the Becco - they're very similar, but fit slightly differently.

Hi there!

Just wanted to say one more ERGO lover here. My daughter is 5 months tomorrow and we just came back from walking the dog. Love it!

Ergo Baby Carriers are awesome. Back, front or hip. So comfy. I've been carrying my almost 2 yo in it since he was about 5 months.

S.,

I love the Ergo. You can wear it in the front, back or on the hip. But another option is to go to a babywearers meeting and try different things out. I believe they have a loaning library of different slings and carriers. It's definately worth checking out before you pay for an expensive item.

http://theslingstation.com/

Good luck,
L. M

I find that pouch-style slings are the most comfortable on my back and the easiest to use. You can put your baby -- or toddler -- on your hip, back, or front, and they are small enough to fit in your purse or diaper bag. There are many brands, but I sell them for a great price here: www.eieiobabygear.com. Use coupon code MamaSource08 to get a 10% discount, as well. Also feel free to email me with any questions, and if you are anywhere near Littleton, MA, I'd be happy to give you a personal fitting and demo if you like.

Ergo baby carrier is wonderful for either front or back. I could still carry my three and a half year old in it on my back. When he was littler, I was hiking a small mountain with him and he got fussy on the way down. SO I put him on the front of me and he breastfed all the way down! I loved this carrier. It distrubuted weight beautifully and evenly and was so versatile. It's expensive, but I think you'll feel like it was worth it since you can use it for several years.
I had the frame pack and found it a bit unwieldy.
For quick in and out, I liked a sling. I could run into the grocery store with my son on my hip, secured by the sling.
Good luck!@

Hi - Just want to add a vote for the ERGO pack; front or back (and even side) it's awesome! I use it ALL the time, sometimes just around the house when I need to get stuff done & my little one wants to be held (14 mos). It's good up to 40 lbs, so I've even had my 3 yo in it before. Distributes weight nicely. Found mine used for $65 which is a great deal actually. Very sturdy, goes in the wash, and has a great little hoddy support for when they fall asleep. LOVE IT!!!

i love my backpack carrier. It is evenflo and has the kickstand which folds in while wearing it, but can comes out to make a seat when you need it. all 3 of my kids lived in it for hiking, trips to the mall, parades. They liked it because they are up high and can see everything. Just watch out for baby pulling your hair. I started them in it as soon as they were too big for the front pack.I used it until they were around 35 pounds/ 3 years old. Once you adjust the straps right, it's so comfy. It was one of my best investments. You can find them at consignmnent shops if you don't want to pay for it new.

I'll add my vote for the ERGO!

Can't say enough about the Ergo. Yes, they are expensive, but they are all you need for any age kid. I carry/have carried my 3-month-old, 2-year-olds, 4-year-olds and even, when she got sick at the TOP of the mountain, a 6-year-old. I use it for shopping, hiking, in airports. There is no place you can't use them. AWESOME!

Have you thought of experimenting with wraps or slings? Basically you just take a big piece of cloth that you wrap and/or tie for unlimited possibilities! I carry my 16 month old son in a sling on my hip and back. I've also done some front wraps, but they're more complicated. There are great websites with videos that explain how to safely tie wraps and slings. Just search on google and check it out.

I really love the hip hammok by playtex. I carried my two year old up a 4,000 foot mountain in NH in the thing it is so good. I use it now for my 6mo old while we are shopping or doing whatever. It is very easy to put the kids in the hammok, you can see your feet and it doesnt' hurt your back the way the baby bjorn always did to me.

Many times you can find them at consignment shops. You can also get them at babies R us and target.

Hi,

I have a couple of carriers and I really like my Beco Butterfly. It is similar to the Ergo that people recommended, but I think it is easier to use for a back carry. If you can make it to the babywearers meeting I would recommend it because they will have variety of carriers and can help you figure out what is best for you and they can help you do the back carry which is a little nerve wracking at first.

I will say that the frame backpacks have some advantages. They are pretty easy to get on and off and since the baby is attached to the back pack it isn't quite as scary at first (for me at least) and it is easy to take off and put on the ground (since most have a kick stand type thing). That is helpful if you are out and about and want to take the baby off your back. Also they usually have some pockets or a place that you could hang a fanny pack. When I am carrying my daughter in a sling or my Beco I don't really have a place for stuff.

If you join the babywearers yahoo group you can put a request out for any type of carrier. I bought mine from www.frogmama.com where you can buy used ones or return what you buy there after trying it out (they keep a different percent of the money depending on how long you've had it)
Good luck

definitely the ergo - i have a bad back, but with the ergo, i carry my 21-month-old daughter around without a problem--we like the front or back carries best (hip is a bit harder). i used a baby bjorn, then a hotsling for awhile, but then switched to the ergo.i wish i had known about the ergo from the start!

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

try the ergo baby carrier. i have a bad back too and have been very happy with this!

i'm still carrying my 30 lb 2 year old in it! the weight is so close to your body , its wonderful and less impact on the back.

good luck!

S. - I love the Ergo! I had the same problem when my son - than I got the Ergo for a birthday gift. love it.

I have an Ergo carrier that I picked up secondhand at a local consignment shop. They can be purchased new for about $100, but I got mine for around $30. It's a neat carrier that can be used as a front carrier, hip carrier and back carrier. It's also the top carrier from Baby Bargains. I'd suggest checking it out. Locally they can be a bit tough to find to try out - - I'd suggest higher end shops, but you can also buy them online at Bed Bath and Beyond or the like.

HTH
A.

Hi S., I had exactly the same problem and I bought Ergo and I loved it. I used it a lot specially while traveling to Europe - last time I used it was right before my daughter's 2nd birthday. And now we are planning some hiking and I know that if she will need help, I'll be able to get her on my back in the ergo even now. I tried the backpacks but I'm little bit over 5' and It was too hard for me. Good luck.

Hi S.,
It sounds like an Ergo Carrier might be just what you need. It will distribute the weight of the baby onto your hips instead of just your back and shoulders. You can wear your baby on your front, back or hip. There's a similar carrier also, the Lillebaby Everywear carrier, which can do all the same positions as the Ergo, but it also lets the baby face out (like in the Baby Bjorn) - in the Ergo, the baby can only face you.

You can see all the Ergo options - http://mbeans.com/ergo-baby.html and the Lillebaby - http://mbeans.com/items.php?itemid=10519&deptid=42

Good luck!

Ergo all the way!
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
I LOVE mine. I could carry one of my twins and push my double stroller with my little boy and the other twin and never feel like my back was killing me!
Have fun!

I have a slingling check them out at slinglings.com they are wonderful. I put my 2 year old on my hip and back and it is so comfortable and they hold up to 40 lbs so you can use it for both children incase your toddler gets tired when you are out. I keep mine in my purse at all times just in case

Both my husband and I loved the Ergo - it was well worth the price! Try and find one second-hand, or through Freecycle if you can, though, they are very expensive.
-L.

I don't know where you reside, but wanted to let you know that there is going to be a baby wearing demonstration at 332 main st wareham Ma 02571. It is a demo and also she will have wraps and slings for you to try on with your baby. it is Wed june 17th at 6pm.

If you could come it would be very helpful to you.