Ergo we happily go

In February 2005, I spied a woman at the Ramstein BX in Germany wearing her toddler on her back in a soft carrier. It was exactly what I had been looking for! Nowhere online could I find a carrier for an older child that was frame-free. I politely asked her what brand and where she got it. She told me it was an Ergo and I could find it online.

After I returned home, I went online and located it at www.ergobabycarrier.com. (A quick side trip to the website will show the carrier much better than I can ever describe)
I watched the video where child & mother managed to put themselves into this without any outside help. A child could be on the front, the side, and the back. How versatile. At last, something practical!

My daughter and I have gone through a lot of baby carrying products in her short lifespan. Since she began as a 5 pound preemie, I had a long time to cart her around on me before she could manage on her own. Meanwhile, I did a lot of walking and travelling.

Products tested:
*New Native Baby sling (birth-approx 9months) Good until she was about 12 pounds & used it occasionally for side sling until about 17 pounds -- too much pressure on neck as time went by:

*Infantino 6 way Baby carrier (What a nightmare to get her in and out of. Ended returning it after 2 weeks)

*Baby Bjorn Classic (great while it lasted. But at 18 pounds, too much pressure on shoulders. I wish the Active had come out in time for our use)

*Snugli Cross Terrain Frame Backpack -- Great for my 6'3 husband to use while we were out hiking, but awkward for use indoor in stores, etc.. Horrible for my bad back or maneuvering alone with tot.

So for months, I was looking for something soft, easily packed, versatile for carrying power, and comfortable for both of us that would last a lot longer than the usual baby size since we liked being on the go. Newsflash for manufacturers, just because kids CAN walk, doesn't mean they can walk as long or as far as us adults.

The New Generation Ergo Baby carrier fit my needs, or at least the online sales pitch seemed to. There was even a photo taken by a customer carrying a 98 pound woman on a man's back. Impressive. At the time, there was a choice between the NG carrier and the older classic model which had been discounted. Thankfully, there was a list of pros and cons on both models which made it easy to decide.

I went with the newer New Generation model, despite the expense because it was designed to fit an extreme range of size. I'm 5'8, short waisted, and (for no better term) stout. My husband is 6'3, long waisted, and average build. At the time, our daughter was 18 months old, 32", and 30 pounds or so.

(I even got a waist extender just in case I was too fat for the normal belt. Ended up never needing it, except in dead of winter wearing an extremely thick parka.) I also purchased an optional pouch which worked out nicely for carrying a cell phone, small sippy cup, & snacks when we were out on walks. If I were to do this again, I'd also go ahead and purchase the detachable backpack that fastens onto the carrier or can be used alone.

After my online purchase was finished, I sat back and waited. It took only a week to go from Hawaii - NY military postal service - Ramstein AB, Germany. That's SPEEDY!!!!

Each item came in its own carry bag. I intended to keep the Ergo plastic bag, but I never did. Instead, I just folded and stashed the carrier in whatever diaper bag or car or stroller I was using.

I had selected the Cranberry fabric with the same color lining. I really liked the color and the heavy cotton material. Instructions are to wash in cold water and hang dry. To be honest, I've never got it dirty in the past 14 or so months, so it's never been cleaned by me.

The first time I attempted use, I was scared afterwards. My daughter HATED it! BUT I had tried it by myself in the living room with no intention of leaving the house. She flipped out and was furious with me fussing with her. Normal for her, unfortunately.

2 days later, when the icy weather cleared up, I tested it outside. Hubby placed her on my back: helped with the straps, and off we went to our afternoon stroll. Ahhh, that went much better.

It was so nice to walk with a normal stride at a regular pace. It doesn't matter how well fitting and smooth moving a stroller is, you're still pushing a large item. I felt so free only using a walking stick. (The walking stick was for security since I had foot surgery less than 2 months prior).

It took a while to get the waist area adjusted to where I personally liked it... basically as tight as I could cinch it. Then there was very little weight on my shoulders. She fit comfortably up against my back. No swaying at all. My husband said our daughter's eyes were about even with the scrunchy of my ponytail. She easily saw everything above my shoulders and to the side. We even kept one another warm.

During our walk, I discovered new things with her to do by carrying her in this manner. It was such a difference to our relationship. My daughter quietly babbled in my ear about what she was seeing over my shoulder. She'd laugh after she'd follow along my finger that I pointed and see deer. I could also feed her snacks up over my shoulder. It was great! After an hour, my husband and I traded off carrying her to see how it fit on him. Her legs had to straddle him wider and her head came to below his shoulder blades. She was still comfortable, but her world had greatly narrowed. She could only see from side to side. It was no biggie since she still fits her Snugli until 40 pounds. The Ergo was primarily for her and I anyway. But at least they can use it if needed.

Since March 2005, my daughter and I have used the Ergo New Generation an estimated 100+ hours of carry time in various terrains. Seaside, City, Mountains, etc..

It's easy for her to get off my back and walk however long she wishes to. That's one of my favorite things about the Ergo... I just buckle the chest strap around my waist then everything fits as a wide belt when she's out of it and walking. I don't like taking much with us on an outing and because of the Ergo, I no longer have a bulky carrier to tote around when she's not on my back.

There is a small zippered pocket on the backside which will hold a diaper, small pad, & some wipes, but it makes it a little harder to flip the child's seat up on her back all by oneself.

We've learned how to get into it on our own using different variations of instructions from the website. I'd tell my daughter "Hug Momma" when she was standing behind me in a chair or on the ground. Then I'd bring the straps up around my arms. The rare times I need assistance is wearing winter clothes that hindered the 'shrug' movement of the shoulder straps or when my daughter fell asleep on my lap. Then hubby would softly 'body-slap' her onto my back and bring up the straps.


The only discomfort I've had was wearing winter coats and having to loosen the shoulder straps where the buckles were just under my arms. They hurt, but I stuffed mittens in as padding and it worked temporarily.

The riskiest day was when we were staying outside of Paris and I told my husband to leave the stroller behind to give him a break. Using the Ergo, I carried her on the Metro on my front during rush hour and through the automatic doors, waited in long lines with her on my back visited La Ste Chappelle, and Musee D'Orsay. It was a long day, but I wasn't sore or tired. Overall, it was much easier than carting a stroller around subways, city streets and stairs.

During last Fall & winter, I never used my stroller. My daughter developed a dislike to being in one, especially in crowds, plus the movers picked them up in January. But whenever she was in the Ergo, she was happy, able to socialize with adults looking right at them, not up, and could easily fall asleep. She stayed warmer on my back than any stroller blanket could have kept her. In fact, there were a few frigid days within 5 minutes of getting off of me, she was asking to get back on momma because she was too cold.

At the airport, it was also easier not having a stroller to maneuver and pack. We experienced delay after delay -- 3 days to return to the States-- But she remained calm because she was up against mommy. In fact, she fell asleep on my back, more than in the different hotels they stuck us into. Getting on and off Airplanes were simpler too by using it, instead of carrying or having her walk. I can't stress the variety of usages our Ergo has been subjected to and has succeeded every time.

I have just one complaint and its rather minor. The head hood is too small for a toddler. I think having a square shape would be easier than a fitted style. I'd also rather be able to detach it since it does have a habit of sliding out when I'm putting on the Ergo carrier.

I love this carrier. Currently, my daughter is 2 1/2 years old, 38 1/2" tall, and about 34 pounds. Despite my out of condition, middle aged, decrepid self, she still sits very comfortable on my back or front (if it's necessary). I wish I had heard of it when my daughter was born. It would have saved lots of money and time ordering and trying out other items that I didn't list because I immediately returned them. Even ordering the 2 versions -- newer versatile one and older style -- it would have saved much aggravation.