carrier/sling help needed - is an ergo what I need and can you rent them?

[GerrardWinstanley]

we're thinking about buying/hiring a carrier/wrap/sling thingy to use while we're on holiday (so we don't have to stick to pushchair friendly places). Somebody kind on another thread suggested an Ergo might be what we need but I wondered if any baby-wearing gurus out there had any useful advice?

DD is 11 months about 85cm about 25-26lbs so we're looking for something toddler suitable, easy for novices, something both of us can use and swap between us fairly easily and obviously trying not to spend too much money. Hiring one would probably be the most sensible option in case we or DD absolutely hate it.

One of you has the answer - I just know it.

Hi GW, have you looked at:

www.slingmeet.co.uk

Various sellers advertise here, and some do rent out slings.

As well, if you post your question there, people will be happy to advise you.

I know the Ergo New Generation is well thought of, as is the Patapum and the Calyx.

There's also:

www.thebabywearer.com

This is an American site but well worth looking at as it has the most comprehensive list of sling reviews I've seen.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Carriers like the ergo have a high resale value so if it doesn't work out for you then they are easy to sell on with about a fiver knocked off their original price.

the waist and shoulder straps of an ergo or patapum is bulkier than the those of mei-tais. But then again, some men prefer them over MTs because they have buckles.

If you look at the review i wrote on the Ergo in MN reviews, it gives a long description of fit which may not be applicable to you and also about the company's business practices, if that sort of thing is important to you. I also would go for a Patapum because they really are just as good and cheaper.

just looked at the patapums - any idea whether toddler version would be ok? I'm worried she'd be out of the baby version before it got much use.

heavens, yes. going from his weight and height. my dd is 3 and only just 30 lbs albeit taller.

ask the seller though to confirm. as i haven't used them and my dd hates to have her arms in so i have not used toddler sized slings with her at all. as i said, if you were to use a patapum for 3 to 6 months and then resell you will get quite a lot of your initial investment back. in comparison, if you bought a pushchair for 70£ you may be lucky to get a tenner back.

Kiskid - could you give more information about the problem with the ergo company. The link on the review does not open, and I can find nothing on the net at all. Just interested as the ergo is the most fantastic sling I have tried and I have tried alot - I own 6 others of different types and the only one we use is the ergo. DS now 25 lb 10 mo and loves it and it has saved my sanity on more than one occasion!
Thank you
GG

here is a thread about it. mostly with me. there is a very very long discussion on the american website, the babywearer, about this company. a lot of the people involved in the discussion have had business links with ergo one way or another in the past and present.

now is a good time to buy as ergo have just put wholesale prices up so expect retail prices to follow suit. they're expensive (although not in comparison to framed back carriers) but my ergo's been in near constant use for the last 4 years and i expect for the next 2 so has been well worth it for us.

If you just want to hire an Ergo or Patapum without shelling out for a new one, SaSa Slings offers them for hire. Haven't used the site myself, but it sounds like a great idea.

Thanks Kiskid
It is really sad to hear the company have been flexing their muscles in the market - IMO they have such a great product, it would sell itself without needing protection from competition.
GG