Babywearing - Having another baby - Do I need an Ergo or

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

... should I keep my Wilkinet and Littlelife backcarrier?

I have found the wilkinet very comfy to wear (Though never successfully on my back) - the framed back carrier is a bit uncomfortable if worn a long period of time) but easier to get on and off. With the wilkinet you are winding/ unwinding miles of straps and with 2 other children (under 5)to manage I wonder if it will be practical this time round.

If I sell the two carriers (they are in good nick)I should be able to buy an Ergo - but is it as wonderful as the hype suggests?? Can I breastfeed without removing it for instance as that would be fab?! Baby due in October so I have time to ponder - is there a way to test drive the Ergo - I have a nearly two year old and I could try her in it?

Any words of wisdom on this??

bump

The Ergo is great (and would fit a 2yr old), but Ergo's business practice is now very questionable...

See thread here for some background, and some other great alternatives

I'd keep the wilkinet as I suspect it's better for the first few months. I've never tried the infant insert for the ergo (I used wraps exclusively for the first 10 months, only had the ergo since DD was 16 months) so can't comment, and it looked a bit bulky to me.

You can hire carriers from several internet based businesses such as sasaslings.co.uk (just google hire baby sling) and several have ergos so you could road test one.

They crop up quite regularly on ebay if you're on a budget, and hold their value for resale.

ime it's possible to bf in almost any soft carrier, but I haven't tried the ergo personally - anyone else?

Having been a dedicated wrapper, I do now love my ergo, but I would still go back to something softer and more cuddly with a newborn, should we have a second child.

Oh crikey I had no idea about the ethical issues around the Ergo!! I like the look of the Manduca (German carrier) - will have to get my sister to translate for me though. Only problem is being able to try before I buy... hmmm

Have you been onto slingmeet? If there's one in your area, most slinging mums will be happy to lend you a sling you're interested in for a few days, to see how you get on with it.

Keep the wilkinet and flog the big thing. Then slingmeet to find what to use once too heavy for wilkinet. I still managed to get over £20 for a wilkinet and cover after my sister had used it for one or two babes and me for two so you will get something back in the end.

I can translate the Manduca German info for you if you want

I got an ergo when ds2 was 7 months and neither dp nor I have found it that comfortable. The infant thingy looks dreadful imo, I watched the video and it's very faffy.

I wish we had hired one first, so we recently hired a kozy carrier (mei-tei) to see what we thought rather than waste money on another carrier. Didn't like it, much harder to put on than the ergo on the back and miles of strap. DP went and got a littlelife carrier after that which I can't use as I'm pg. I would strongly advise hiring whatever you're interested in (I used slingjax, but bigmamaslings also do hiring) or look at UK Babywearing swap on yahoo for secondhand options. I'm thinking about a kari-me now or something like that for myself. Also really love my pouch sling, that was wonderful until he was 1 for shops, nursery etc. I have a hotsling, but coories/kimmers also recommended a lot on here.
[aw, will email you now!)

I have an ergo (also bought before business practices became well known) and I wouldn't use it for the first few months. The infant insert is not very comfortable and it's not that easy to bf a small baby in it. It's great from about 6 months and I'm glad to have it (though wouldn't buy one now).