Ergo baby insert

[femmeaufoyer]

I want a SSC for DC2, due in December. My 2 options are Manduca and Ergo. I know that the Manduca should be my preferred choice as it has an integrated newborn insert. But, I prefer the "look" of the Ergo as I think it looks softer (especially the Organic one) than the Manduca which looks a bit harder/more structured.

But the Ergo needs the baby insert which looks like a faff, and looks a bit bulky. I'm not worried about it being hot as DC is due in December and I live in an area of France which gets very cold in winter.

So my questions is, how inconvenient is it to have to use the Ergo insert, and will it make me look like I'm still 9 months pregnant?!

It won't make you look 9 months pregnant but it is bulky and faffy imo. So I much prefer the Manduca. To be honest I'd say they both feel similarly structured/hard. I also like the fact it is very easy to cross the straps over your back for a front carry with the Manduca, which I find much comfier than wearing it like a backwards rucksack. And the adjustable body in the manduca is great too.

If you'd prefer less structure, have a look at something like the Connecta or Emei Baby.

I have the ergo - haven't actually used it with the newborn insert yet as DS1 was too old when I bought it. From friends' comments I'd say it's not too much of a faff - it just seems to slot in. I'd also say, go with the one that you are happy with long term because the newborn stage is so short in comparison with the rest of the time you can be using it (I've been using the ergo until I got pregnant and DS1 is 3 - terribly useful on planes!) I can't comment on the manduca as have never seen one but I don't think you'd regret the ergo if you went that direction.

I loved the ergo but didn't use the newborn insert as we used a roobaby till ds2 was old enough for the ergo.

I used the ergo from birth, it was a bit of a faff but ok once you got used to it.

What was nice with the insert was that when he fell asleep in the sling I could take him out of the sling itself but leave him snuggled on the insert and lie him down and he would stay asleep.

I used it over the winter too and it was very cosy. I wouldn't say it made me look 9 months pg.

Slinging is addictive anyway and before I knew it I 'needed' a spare for when the ergo was in the wash etc. You might find you end up with your second choice a bit later on.

I felt the insert was a bit bulky, though as camels points out, it has its up-side when you pop them straight down to sleep. I preferred to use a wrap for coziness and streamlinedness, but putting one on outside in sleet encouraged me to get the ergo. And once you no longer need the insert, you'll be really happy with the ergo for a long time.

Another alternative is a ring sling - get a woven one, that you can use with a newborn right through to toddler. That's also easy to put sleeping baby down, and packs small enough to put in your bag, which you can't say about the ergo with insert. Then get the ergo at about 5 or 6 months when you can skip the insert.

The insert isn't a faff at all, but it is very warm for the baby.