Comments on Hobo Mama: Babywearing the heavy baby: ERGO Baby Carrier

I use a Beco, which is largely the same, minus the...

2010-10-16T20:33:50.567-07:00

I use a Beco, which is largely the same, minus the side carry and with a less-bulky and included infant insert, and my only complaint is vanity related. As in: I wish it didn't squish my admittedly largish boobs! Fortunately we're headed into cooler weather and a jacket hides it. I take my toddler everywhere in the Beco. It is the greatest for public transportation!

Lisa: I checked out the SweetPod, and that ...

2010-10-02T18:14:09.032-07:00

Lisa: I checked out the SweetPod, and that looks gorgeous! If I get ambitious, I'll definitely have to try making my own. So cool! And thank you for the compliment! I'm so glad you're here.

I love this series -- our guy is a little chunk to...

2010-09-29T12:17:20.352-07:00

I love this series -- our guy is a little chunk too, and although at almost 1 year we've settled pretty well into our various carriers, I agree with so much of what you've said.

My mei tai is SO uncomfortable now though, although I loved it for front carries when he was a bit smaller. He's at 24 lbs now and I think between his weight and the only lightly padded straps, it's just not cutting it. I've watched lots of videos and tutorials and don't think I'm doing anything wrong ... it's tempting to replace it but seriously, I have THREE wonderful carriers that I use and love -- that's two more than is absolutely necessary -- so the ring sling, woven wrap, and Ergo are wonderful wonderful.

You asked about DIY SSCs -- have you heard about the SweetPod? I haven't made or used one (I don't know how to sew!) but they look gorgeous, and sturdy. http://www.seedpodcraft.com//blog/sweetpod/

A final note -- which I should have sent months ago -- I love your blog so, so much. I am deeply drawn to almost all AP principles but find the AP community, at least as given wing online, to be overwhelmingly self-righteous and judgmental sometimes. Your manner and style are so welcoming and humble and relaxed. Thank you so much for that.

I just bought one, I haven't gotten to use it ...

2009-06-23T22:17:37.369-07:00

I just bought one, I haven't gotten to use it much but I'm sure it'll come in handy

Ah, yes, the whole $0 I've earned on this blog so ...

2009-05-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes, the whole $0 I've earned on this blog so far... Thanks for forgiving that.

Can I sum up your response in a positive light?

"ERGOs are great if they work for the adult(s) and baby(ies) involved. If they're not comfortable for you, try another great soft-structured carrier!" You know, if you're rich and can afford to. ;)

See above and note that I am not, and cannot. But feel free to loan me some of your top three (or five) SSCs to try out. I promise not to kidnap them forever.

As for me and mine, the ERGO's doing just fine still. We had a nice long walk along the waterfront on a sunny day last week.

I'd like to address a few of your specific concerns:
1. Agreed that the waist belt needs to be permanently extended. It's offended several plus-size family members of mine, and it's unnecessarily small. (We did buy the extension for their use, but they preferred not to use it.)
2. I guess it depends on how your kid's weight is arranged. Mine has a looong torso and somewhat long legs, and we haven't had a problem with fit or comfort (for either of us). I do wish the fabric came up higher in back, but Mikko's always felt secure in it to me. When I put him in, I pull on his legs (gently) and rotate his hips while bouncing him down into the seat, so that his butt's lower than his knees. I find it difficult to imagine how he could fall out and suggest that any carrier wouldn't be a good match for a toddler throwing a fit!
3. As I mentioned, the print (lack of) and color (lack of) was chosen by the male member of our babywearing team. Yours sounds lovely, and I would gladly wear more ornate prints, but Sam will not. Again, I don't have the money to buy multiple carriers to satisfy all of my asthetic desires, so I went with simplicity.

Please do consider (not just Arwyn, but anyone) loaning me any other carriers you'd like me to try out and review. You can email me at mail AT hobomama DOT com for my mailing address and my solemn promise that I will treat your carriers well and return them in pristine condition.

I'll forgive you your ERGO shilling since it helps...

2009-04-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

I'll forgive you your ERGO shilling since it helps pay the bills ;) but I'm going to use your comments section to point out that ERGO is not the only soft structured carrier out there, and that it would not be on my top three (or five) list of soft structured carriers to try out.

One great thing about the ERGO that most of the other SSCs don't have is that it has achieved fairly wide-spread market distribution, meaning that most people in the US (at least near a major city) should be able to find one in person in a box store to test out. This is fabulous.

I also love that it got the idea of a SSC out there. This is also fabulous.

However, it is not fabulous if:
*You are plus sized. I can just fit my friend's ERGO on me without the extension (unless I'm having a particularly bloated day), but it ain't comfortable. The straps fall in a weird place on my armpits, and it digs and is uncomfortable.
*Your baby is larger. Although the ERGO can hold a fair amount of weight just fine, it is too short in the body and too narrow at the legs to comfortably hold a taller or lankier kid. I've had a toddler throw a fit on my back in one, and I was seriously worried for their spine because they flung themselves backwards and the ERGO didn't come up high enough to catch them (that is, they weren't going to fall out, but they were able to bend far too far back, and not necessarily have the muscle strength to right themselves). And the ergonomics for the legs vanishes when kids get bigger; major dangly-leg going on, which can also cause pain.
*You actually like interesting prints and patterns. The SSC we did buy (hand made by a WAHM) not only was made for larger wearers and larger babies, but has a simply gorgeous print, that looks lovely and tasteful from afar, and truly shines up close (with skulls and ladybugs and deer and pigs and birds and more skulls -- man I love that print!).

So, yes, totally in love with the SSC idea. So glad that the ERGO is so widely available and works for so many people. But it's so not the only SSC out there, and I can never resist the opportunity to say so. (Anyone interested in more, go check out www.thebabywearer.com)

Thanks for the opportunity to get on one of my favorite soap boxes! ;)

Rachel: I know — isn't it great? It's a won...

2009-04-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Rachel: I know — isn't it great? It's a wonderful design.

And, um, thanks, baby carriers backpacks. :)

All of your posts have been very helpful, this one...

2009-04-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

All of your posts have been very helpful, this one is no exception. thank you!

I once used the Ergo to put my 3 year old son (pro...

2009-04-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

I once used the Ergo to put my 3 year old son (probably 40+ lbs) on my back to wear him and calm him. I was amazed at how long I could wear him without discomfort.

The Ergo provides amazing support!