This review of an ERGObaby baby carrier was sent to us by Becki, who uses it to carry her 7 month old daughter, Kerenza. She has also used a wrap sling and a mei tai, before moving on to this Soft Structured Carrier.
We bought an Ergo New Generation Baby Carrier for our 7 month old baby Kerenza, before setting off for 6 weeks travelling in New Zealand and knowing we wouldn’t want to lug a buggy around everywhere. It is my 3rd (and final?…) sling. I started with a Close carrier when Kerenza was tiny, then when she started to feel heavy in that I bought a BabyHawk, which I loved but my husband wouldn’t give the tying a proper go, so I knew if I was going to share the babywearing it was worth trying something a bit more structured.
I use it all the time, way more than a pushchair, especially since she’s walking, as its easier on public transport, and I can wear it empty and have both hands free to guide her when she wants to walk rather than also having to push the buggy, and with the buckle fastening its really quick to get her in and out.
Kerenza is now 16 months (and about 11kg), and still comfy to carry on my front as well as the back as the weight feels well spread across my shoulders, back and waist. She seems very comfy in it, and wriggles far less than when she’s in my arms and knows she might be able to get down and scamper around, and is usually happy in it for longer than she is in a pushchair. If she’s in it for a long walk she will often sleep (unlike her buggy), and the hood is good to support her head then or when its windy or raining.
When she was 8 months I took her in the Ergo for a 2 hour hike through a New Zealand rainforest on my front. I got a bit warm, but she was calm and happy throughout, and slept for about 30 minutes of that too. Haven’t had need to sling her for that long recently, but often do more than 30mins on my front or back.
Not super-cheap at around £89.00 new, but brilliant value for money from our point of view, far better than the lightweight stroller we got for our trip.
Its the best of all the slings I’ve tried for convenience, as it fastens like a rucksack with just a buckle at the waist and chest, rather than having yards of material, or ties to wrap and knot. The fact that my husband will happily use it too is a massive bonus!
My favourite aspects of the sling are the comfort and closeness it offers, looks nice and is Daddy-friendly, and above all holds the baby/child in a healthy and natural position unlike carriers like the BabyBjorn which put a lot of stress through the baby’s pelvis and lumbar spine by hanging them facing outwards from their crotch.
Only down side is that I have taken a while to get used to getting Kerenza straight into a back carry on my own, but I think that is partly as I enjoy the interaction of having her on my front still and haven’t yet been bothered to apply myself to practicing!!
We also bought the rucksack attachment, which was fab for days out while we were travelling, but I tend not to use it so much now that we are out for shorter periods, or with the car nearby. The sling alone has a couple of handy pockets that we keep an emergency nappy and few wipes so there are times we can go without anything else in hand which is heavenly!
Overall 10/10 – Love it!!
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I bought an Ergo when my daughter was about 7 months and have never looked back. She happily sits in front or on my back (although i still need a chair or another pair of hands to get her on my back – note to self: practice practice practice). Have since seen some other SSC in nicer fabrics but are exactly the same principle so may be tempted yet!