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Original poster

Ergo baby carrier owners - HELP NEEDED

32 replies

Rookiemum · 02/11/2006 08:56

After some recommendations from here and much deliberation my Ergo new generation baby carrier arrived this morning.

I just can't figure our how to get my DS in. Its for the back carrier , as at 7 months and around 10kg he is too big for the front one. I tried to follow the instructions, but not being a circus contortionist I found it impossible to manoeuvre rookiebabies foot round, then put him on my back, without him falling out.

Help please, is there another way to do it ? Should I go for the side option instead, which also looks pretty complicated ????

OP posts:
MrsApron · 02/11/2006 09:22

hip scoot is the way forward.

fasten waist strap and slide body of carrier round your side. put baby in and pull up the body of the carrier. make sure at this point the straps are not pulled small. while holding one hand (the closest one). put your other arm through the strap. lean foward and shoogle jump baby round to the back, put other arm in and do up chest strap and tighten arm straps. ta daa! reverse for removal!

sound dead complicated takes under 2 mins.

or you could do it on a sofa by lieing the carrier down with rookie baby on it on a cushion fasten waist belt up and pull him up using the straps and on that way. trial and error i suppose.

Original poster
Rookiemum · 02/11/2006 09:47

Oh thats great,thank you very much, I will have a go this afternoon once he is back from childminder.

OP posts:
bamboo · 02/11/2006 10:22

Are the videos here any help?

Original poster
Rookiemum · 02/11/2006 16:17

oh dear bamboo i didnt realise we didnt have video streaming on our puter so managed to crash it. I went for the laying baby on the sofa option and it worked ok but it doesnt feel as secure to me as the baby bjorn is this normal?

OP posts:
bensmum3 · 02/11/2006 22:18

It took me a little while to become confident at putting ds in my ergo, never looked elegant, I used the do the waist strap up,slide carrier round, put baby in on my hip, slide him round to my back whilst leaning forward and holding him with one hand, then put the straps on method. Once I got used to it I loved it and carried ds right up to 2.5 years.

MrsApron · 02/11/2006 22:22

Were all your straps well tightened? V important for comfort as well as security.

Probably won't feel quite as secure because it is a shorter bodied carrier i.e. under his arms rather than over his shoulders.

nappyaddict · 06/11/2006 00:36

can anyone tell me if when using it the front way this can be used with the baby sitting cross legged like in conventional slings?

mamama · 06/11/2006 01:31

Rookiemum, mine arrived a few weeks ago and I'm having similar problems - It's so hard to get the carrier far enough up DS's back. Am determined to keep at it though - when I do it right, it feels great. I know I've done it wrong when it's uncomfortable and DS feels like he's going to fall out when he leans back. I find putting it on in front of a mirror helps and have the straps really loose when you put DS in it. If all else fails while we're out, I carry him on my front - he's 13 months old & I can manage like that for a mile or 2. Will try the hip way now.

Nappyaddict, I don't think they can sit cross-legged in the Ergo - they have to have their legs through the legholes and have to face you.

nappyaddict · 06/11/2006 02:01

do you know of one where they can sit cross legged?

mamama · 06/11/2006 02:20

nappyaddict, I just posted on the other thread but I love our adjustable fleece pouch - the baby can be in all sorts of positions, including cross-legged. My Ds loved it (& still does at 14 months).

nappyaddict · 06/11/2006 05:28

want one that goes across 2 shoulders ideally ..

FillyjonkTheFireEater · 06/11/2006 07:23

ok

  1. I didn't put dd in the back carry this young really. I tried it a few times, but dunno, she felt too small. can rookieboy sit up?
  1. I personally put fillygirl in over the shoulder, if that makes sense

but honestly, would use the front or hip carry at this age! my ergo tended to be used by my 2 yo while I carried my dd, tbh.

Capers · 06/11/2006 13:56

Hi

It should feel pretty snug and secure. Make sure your baby's bottom has shaken its way all the way to the bottom. If they get a bit wedged by a huge nappy it's not as safe as it should be.
I found this carrier really came into its own once my son was of an age when he could stand and be a bit cooperative in the process - like getting a piggy-back. Prior to then it was a case of putting it on while having my back to the bed - just in case. The necessary hand switching bit while loading requires a leap of faith with a young wriggly baby. The value of a big smile and a sense for instantly assessing which passing strangers actually like babies can also be invaluable for getting help while out and about.

For all this, I have found it by far the most comfortable of my (many!) carriers as it transfers the weight effectively to my hips, rather than hanging off my shoulders - and being a shorty myself it doesn't interfere with my centre of balance in the way the big frame carriers do).

Oh - and I found it handy to keep a tiny mirror in the waistband pocket so you can check from time to time for clear airways when sleeping, lost hats, etc, etc.

Good luck!

mez656 · 08/11/2006 15:58

Can I piggyback on this thread? I'm thinking about buying an ergo. I need a good carrier/sling for the tropics... The one-shoulder sling-types hurt my back and shoulder so I thought the ergo looked better. I am thinking about buying one for my dd who will be 10 months next week. Overall, would people recommend it? How is the sweat factor? It sounds like it's requires a lot of faffing to get it on...

nappyaddict · 08/11/2006 16:22

have you thought of a wrap sling?

Original poster
Rookiemum · 08/11/2006 16:24

Sorry i hadn't checked this thread for a while.

I successfully managed to take a walk to the post box with rookiebaby in it. It was pretty comfortable once I got him there, but i still really struggled with getting him into it.

We are doing a rather unsophisticated lying him on the sofa type thing to get him in, which works ok but would be impossible not to say embarassing to recreate externally. Plus I can't get him in with all his coat, shoes etc, so just went for the socks option.

Fillyjonk, the leaflet says that they don't recommend the front carrier for 6mths plus. I haven't tried the side carrier way yet, would you think thats a good one to try ?

Mamama perhaps we can start an ergo support group. I so want to be one of those mums who carry their babies round all the time rather than having him strapped in the buggy, I;m determined to persevere.

Mez656 I think theres a second hand one for sale in the sale items thread, or whatever its called. Or the place I bought it from means it is on trial for a month so can return it if it doesn't work out for us. However, I think we will get there and its so much lighter and easy to carry than our full baby rucksack.

OP posts:
CantSleepWontSleep · 08/11/2006 16:25

I tried one of these on at the babyshow (with 9mo DD) following all the good press they get on here. Thought it was the most uncomfortable carrier I had ever tried! mez - I'd def try one on before you buy.

Much prefer my playtex hip hammock that I bought instead.

FillyjonkTheFireEater · 08/11/2006 16:27

am pleased it is working out rm.

It is a learning curve like anything else. Once you get there you'll wonder wtf the fuss was about though.

My dd goes in the front carry position on occasion, no probs. She's 16 months. I certainly don't think its a safety issue or anything. I got it when she was 8 months and carrying her in the front position helped her a lot to get used to it.

hth

nappyaddict · 08/11/2006 17:47

does anyone know if it is possible to wear the ergo in the hip position but having the shoulder straps on both shoulders instead of one?

mez656 · 08/11/2006 18:13

I have looked a bit at wrap slings too but it looks like an awful lot of fabric!

I would love to be able to try one on first but I don't know that it's possible. I'm in the middle of nowhere at the moment (albeit a internet accessible middle of nowhere) and hoped to order something on the internet for when I go home for xmas...

Cantsleepwontsleep - what about it was uncomfortable?

CantSleepWontSleep · 08/11/2006 18:40

Apart from the fact that my shoulders felt like they were being ripped apart?!?! Actually, on the subject of getting it on and off, even the guy selling them said it was really hard, and ideally needed 2 people to do it - wtf?!

Agree about the wrap slings too - always look fab but know I'd make a mess of getting them on, and DD isn't the most patient of babies!

The thing I bought is this if you are looking for something very simple to use, and are happy with carrying on your hip rather than back (I have one of those hippychick seats too, but you need to use an arm with those, and they are most definitely not designed for huge busted women!).

amazonianwoman · 08/11/2006 22:43

mez656 - you can hire all different kinds of slings/wraps from bigmamaslings - great service, around £10 to hire one, with £40-50 returnable deposit. I've hired an Ergo from them (then subsequently bought one), and am going to try a wrap single for baby no.2 as I agree they look daunting!

mamama · 09/11/2006 02:18

Sorry you had so much trouble with the ergo, CSWS. The only time mine was uncomfortable was when I didn't have ds in it correctly - it really hurt my shoulders.

Having read this thread, I've worked out how to get ds in easily . If you put the carrier on and get the baby in it on your hip, put the shoulder straps on then twist it round to your back & tighten all the straps, it is simple to do. I am a single mum & have been using my ergo for 3 or 4 weeks - I really haven't needed any help to get ds in. This week, since figuring out the hip thing, I have used it every day and have been able to get ds in, mid-tantrum (due to leaving the park) whilst having a conversation with 2 other mums. As soon as he was in, he stopped fussing & jabbered away to me all the way home (about 1 mile). So, after a bit of practice, it can be done without thinking. DS loves it and it is sooo comfortable. I'm glad I persevered. If you do hire one, Mez656, follow the instructions that come with it, then try the hip method - I promise it is the best! Keep at it, Rookiemum - it get's so much easier! Love the idea of an Ergo support group!

Nappyaddict - in the hip carry position, one strap is over your shoulder, the other accross your back. HTH

Original poster
Rookiemum · 09/11/2006 09:04

I tried the hip position this morning and couldn't seem to leverage rookiebaby into it. My fear is that the bottom bit is quite wide so his legs seem to be splayed open a bit, mamama is there an art to getting him in for the hip position ?

Also, sorry this is turning into an ergo blog, but I can't figure out anyway to tidy up the annoying hood fabric and it hangs out in an untidy way, can this be done ?

Many thanks

OP posts:
mamama · 09/11/2006 15:34

Rookiemum, were you carrying him in the hip position or just using it get him on your back?

I've never used the carrier in the hip position - I just do the belt up and put ds in with the carrier on my left hip then slip the loosened shoulder straps on and twist the whole thing round to my back & tighten it all up. It's the only way I can get the carrier far enough up his back to feel safe. His legs are splayed but that is, apparently, not a problem - the carrier is designed for them to be like that because it takes pressure off their spine. Doesn't bother ds at all!

As for the hood, I just shove it as far into the pocket as I can. It usually stays there but does sometimes fall out.

Off to the park no, with the Ergo but will check back later.