(ed. note: Heatherbell is one of our ERGObaby trainers. She loved the competition concept and just couldn’t help submitting an entry. Please note that she is not in the running for the prize 
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Before Saffron was born, I knew my husband & I were going to wear her. I had spent many months researching about the benefits of Babywearing and I knew it was right for us, but for some reason I didn’t research too much on what to do it with!
Friends had used adjustable or pouch slings before, so I’d had some exposure – so I figured I would go the same way.
When Saffi arrived and she wanted to be held all the time, I realised I would be wearing her for much more than I had expected. So when the pouch sling I’d bought and the other pouch sling I was loaned didn’t work well for me, I bought a ring sling.
When I finally got the hang of using it, I suffered a major health setback and experienced severe back issues leading to neuromuscular scoliosis (eventually resolved with months of osteopathy), among other things. I couldn’t hold Saffi for long periods of time; I just didn’t have the strength in my back or arms. The only way I could settle her at night was sitting on a Swiss ball with her in the sling. But at over 8kgs by 4 months, I could no longer do this without any pain.
Another friend loaned me the typical front pack carrier – but the straps were in just the wrong place. The weight of my growing baby pulled at my back and I really had to move on. I was busy running a produce co-op and going to the markets with Saffi in the front pack was a nightmare – I couldn’t have my hands free enough, my back hurt and Saffi was being assaulted by the business of the markets.
While Saffi was still a newbie, I had gone to the Birth Centre’s sling meeting – and I remember seeing ERGObaby after ERGObaby there – and all the mum’s were raving about how they could use the back carry. It wasn’t until I was desperate 4 months later, that I did the research online and boy – didn’t everyone just love their ERGO!
I was in two minds about it – I’d just spend $100 on a pouch sling that was ineffective (it was a sized one – so only my husband could wear it and even then I got the wrong size!)
I was at a friend’s morning tea and a mum had an ERGObaby there – as soon as I put it on – I was sold. I literally had a massive weight come right off my back. I was really in bliss. My back didn’t pull and my shoulders were no longer bearing the brunt of a slightly robust child. I was sold.
My ERGObaby Sports arrived when Saffi was 4 months old and I have never, ever looked back. I could do everything I could not with my ring sling – all without serious pain. I could lean down into my washing basket, put my hands above my head and put the washing up. I could clean, I could walk, I could do shopping and I could run my co-op.
Then, when she graduated to the back carry – our Babywearing adventures really stepped up a notch. We could do some serious walking, I could do my food shopping (all timed around a nap). I honestly felt so liberated, not having to worry about carting the pram around, not having to worry about naps (and as it was, she never slept in her pram, so the Ergo saved my sanity there!).
The ERGObaby came in just the right time in my life and I am so grateful as I could continue to wear Saffron well beyond what I had imagined I would! Without a doubt, it was my best baby related purchase I ever made, and I look forward to being able to start a new Babywearing journey with the Ergo – right from the beginning this time!
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Enter the Hot Options: A Love Story in the Making and you could WIN a new release ERGObaby Options Carrier
