Back carriers

[Smellen]

Hi.
Have a second hand back carrier which is medically unsafe and want to get a new one.

Have tried a bushbaby, but would prefer something more compact and possibly cheaper.

DS 6 months and sits up unaided.

Have looked at the Ergo review on Mumsnet, but it's not a very detailed review and the "marks out of ten" system is a bit flawed as it doesn't say how many people have reviewed the product. Also the Ergo looks like a bit of faff to put on.

So in short - does anyone have an Ergo, and if so what to they think about it. Is it worth forking out the extra £20 for a "new generation" version. Or is there a better back carrier on the market? (Links please if poss).

Thanks all.

i have an ergo. i can get dd on my back unassisted if in the house and can use the bed or couch to make sure I don't kill her. we don't use it often enough to get v. proficient at wearing w/out that security. i think if we did both dd and i would get better at knowing what to do.

you put on an ergo just as you would a soft rucksak. baby sits very rucksakky in it, about piggy-back style. in public, i get someone to slot her into it.

dh and I went on 16 mile hike with dd last thursday and she was off and on in the Ergo. no complaints from her. she fell asleep in it 3 times.

we have the old style ergo as got last year.

We have the Macpac Papoose which we find brilliant - not difficult to put on, DS seems very happy in there, & DH (who does most of the carrying) says its comfortable.

I have an ergo, used it for ds on the front from 5 months and still using it to back carry ds nearly 3 yrs.
It does take a while to get used to putting it on, and doesn't always look very graceful,I find strapping the waist on, putting ds on my hip and swinging them both round together whilst leaning forward works for us, both ds and I find it very comfortable, I can walk much further than when wearing my bushbaby.
I have a very old version and a slightly newer version with the extra safety strap, but not a new generation, so cannot comment on whether they are worth the extra.
We love our Ergo and wouldn't be without it.

There is a website called Little Possums (I think) which iirc has a whole load of slings and carriers

Thanks for all your comments. Does anyone know if there are any shops in Wiltshire / Hampshire / Dorset area where I can try one?

You can hire an Ergo from \link{http://www.bigmamaslings.co.uk/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30_31&products_id=80\here} - £10 for 2 weeks, + £50 refundable deposit. Very fast efficient service. I liked the Ergo I hired so much that I bought one (2nd hand new generation).

I find it much more comfortable carrying DD (2 next week, 29lbs) in the Ergo than in our framed carrier, she feels weightless . And I can easily swing her on my back then pull up the straps to fasten her in.

\link{http://www.activebambino.co.uk/shop/index.php/cPath/1?osCsid=54725b7635bca7c8c7ad6121f33199f1\i have a littlelife one} its really comfy and light.Dd2 22 mths loves it.

Have bought a new generation Ergo over t'internet. Apparently we can send it back if we don't like it. Will let you know how we get on...

Thanks for your advice.

Got the Ergo the day after I'd ordered it (from Free Range Kids). Went out both days over the weekend - really comfy for both DH and I. Baby seemed happy too

Got a bit sweaty in the heat, but whole contraption distributes the weight so much better than the framed nightmare we had been given second hand!! Have yet to master the art of getting baby into it single-handedly, but as we usually go out for cross-country walks together, this suits perfectly. Have to say that as a front carrier, it would be have been far less complicated to get baby into than the 2nd hand mothercare version we'd inherited from my sister.

Thanks all for you help in deciding.