Babes in Arms – blogging about select baby carriers and slings from around the world

In our second Blogger Call Out installment, we introduce you to mother of three, Kylie who began her ERGObaby journey shortly after the birth of her third son, Cooper.  We hope you enjoy reading about her experiences. We also invite you to submit your own story which could be selected to feature on our BLOG, earning you a cool $100 BIA voucher to spend store wide. Read or the details here: Blogger Call Out.

Introducing Kylie …………………………………………………………………………………………..

I have three boys; Jordan, almost 5, Riley, 3, and Cooper just turned one. I came across an advert in The Practical Parenting magazine for the ERGO Carrier about 6 weeks before Cooper was born.. I thought it looked great, but I was onto my last baby and wondered if it was worth the money.

My friends wanted to throw me a baby shower, but I was not keen as I was having yet another boy and did not need any gifts. My friends insisted so I suggested money rather than gift, to go towards the purchase of an ERGO. We have now been using our ERGO for just over a year.

At first it was nice and I found it supported my c-section scar well. It was great for settling and promoted breast feeding. However out real love of the ERGO came with out kids as they got bigger. Now I WISH so much that I had an ERGO when Riley was a baby… he was impossible to settle, he hated swings so much, but also hated cuddles. He didn’t cope well with LOTS of things. I could have worn him on my back, allowing him to feel close, but not smothered at the same time, and I would have been able to continue with what I needed to do.

Riley has some developmental and sensory issues similar to autism. He finds it very comforting to be close to someone or be able to put his head down and withdraw if he has had enough. He could not do this in a pram. We recently went to the museum and it was great for Riley to be able to hop in and out as often as he felt comfortable to do so. The scenario reminded me of a Joey in it’s mother’s pouch.

Now days, if Cooper, my youngest, is becoming unsettled, I ask him if he wants to come on my back, he always does, and problem solved! We are both happy and I’m fostering attachment parenting based on my baby’s cues. I love it so much! It’s really funny though, now when Pete takes Carla, our dog for a walk he wears Riley on his back. If Cooper sees Riley hopping on Pete’s back he gets all jealous, because he is not getting in the ERGO! Another reason for wanting two!

Recently, we spent a day hiking in Kalbarri National Park, WA. It has some amazing tracks, and vantage points. The most well known of these is the “Natures Window”. It is almost a natural lookout.  My husband, Peter carried Riley in the ERGO on his back. I carried Cooper in an old baby pouch that was given to us, years ago when Jordan was born. I would have been much more comfortable with another ERGO and it was one of the many times we wish we had two ERGO’s. We were able to go anywhere, do anything with our little ones being worn. My hubby climbed all over the place with Riley, and they were both super comfortable… Maybe just got a bit sweaty! If we had had a pram we simply would not have seen any of the sights in the national park. There were some other parents who left prams at the start of the track and had to fumble clumsily up and over rocks with small babies in their arms. I would have been terrified of dropping them or slipping. The ERGO allows you two hands to steady yourself while manoeuvring over terrain like rocks.

At the moment Cooper gets worn every evening, allowing me to cook dinner and do house work without an unsteady toddler round my feet or in the kitchen. He loves sampling dinner that I’m preparing, but I am often wearing these little samples by the end, or it’s down the back of my shirt! Cooper is now worn everywhere we go or anytime I need to do any house work. I was recently helping out with my local breastfeeding association when they were doing a feed and change tent for Mums and Babies and it was great to be able to wear Cooper, breast feed and chat to Mum’s and sell raffle tickets all at the same time!

We love the ERGO for many reasons. I love being able to wear the kids on my back so comfortably. It has improved my back after the trauma of birth and has acted as physiotherapy. My back actually feels better when I’m wearing the ERGO. I love the multi positions and being able to use it for bigger kids. I have recommended it to other parents for these very reasons. The sleeping/feeding hood is also a lovely feature. And it’s a real Dad friendly carrier.