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

We’ve all been there. That day at the shopping centre, with your baby strapped into the pram while she screams at the top of her lungs, begging to be picked up. That time your little boy was teething and wanted nothing more than to be held by you, and only you and you never got the chance to hang that load of washing on the line. Frazzled and tired you go to a baby shop or website and buy a baby carrier (if you’re like me, you buy 4 or 5!) and hope it’s not going to kill your back and shoulders. Unfortunately, most carriers are uncomfortable and can’t be worn for any real length of time. Most…but not all!

**Enter the ERGObaby Sport**

The ERGO is not your run of the mill carrier. Engineered for total comfort, it’s soft, breathable, flexible, supportive, and fully adjustable to suit you. I love the shoulder straps, which are generously padded, negating the need for deep tissue massage after an hour of carrying. The support belt is superbly effective,  accomplishing exactly what it’s supposed to, and is extremely comfortable, making for an enjoyable baby wearing experience.

I have to be honest, I was really sceptical about not only the comfort level, but also whether or not my 14 month old would tolerate it – since he’s never been content in a sling, wrap or soft shell carrier. I was elated to find that he not only tolerated it, but it seemed that he actually enjoyed it! At first he wasn’t terribly impressed with the idea, but it was merely seconds before he settled into it. We ended up walking for 30 minutes all the while pain free and happy! I believe the ERGO would even meet the special needs of parents with back and shoulder complaints. It’s especially useful for grandparents! My mother, 53, has a condition which makes even everyday duties painful but was able to carry my 12kg son for a considerable amount of time in relative comfort. Naturally, she’s the newest ERGObaby convert.

As for ease of use, it’s the same with most things – practice makes perfect. I still haven’t quite mastered the art of putting it on solo, but I’m certain that the more I use it the better I’ll get at it.

I would have no hesitation in recommending the ERGO to any parent wanting to wear their bubs. The benefits of baby wearing are varied, and to be able to do it in ultimate comfort is, in a word, outstanding!

My score for the ERGObaby Sport is:

Comfort for wearer – 4.5
Comfort for baby – 5
Ease of use – 4.5
Versatility – 4
Overall rating – 4.5

If you’ve tried babywearing but have given up for one reason or another, I urge you to take one last shot with an ERGObaby. Yes, it’s  not a “cheap” carrier, but having seen the value and quality of it first hand, I’m not sure I’d be willing to put my trust in a less expensive, less supportive design just to save money. In the end you could be sacrificing more than you gain!

I had been waiting patiently (or not so much hehe) for my Babes In Arms package to arrive so I could see what I was to review.  I got up one morning and hooray! It had arrived so I ripped open the package and there it was, the one I had hoped for – an ERGObaby carrier.

That first day I was so excited to get it that I went straight out and watched all the instructional videos before I even made my coffee! Next step was to adjust it and wear it. Unfortunately Mia was sleeping so I had to wait. Half an hour later, still in my pyjamas, Mia woke up and straight in the ERGO she went. Mia loved it, and so did I. It was so comfortable and didn’t hurt my back or shoulders at all. In fact, I think it helps keep my back straighter.

Over the next week I used it all the time: walking to the shops, walking the dog, walking anywhere. It has been amazingly helpful getting Mia to calm down as she is teething and gets quite upset. Did I forget to mention that it’s green, my absolute favourite colour! I have gone about telling all my friends with kids and babies that the ERGO is a godsend and that they should all get one because really I don’t know how I managed without one and its only been a week!

When it comes to pro’s and con’s I feel that the pro’s most definitely outweigh the con’s.                    

Pro – It carries the baby comfortably and close to heart                                                                             

Pro – It helps keep my back straight                                                                                                                    

Pro – I get no back pain at all when wearing it                                                                                              

Pro – it is comfortable to wear                                                                                                                         

Pro – It is easy to put on and take off by yourself                                                                                         

Pro – It is easy to put the baby in yourself (front carry as I haven’t tried back carry because my baby is only 5 months old)

Con – I found that as a bigger woman it was a bit tight but they do have extension belts you can buy and I think I will buy myself one as it only just fits around me with 1 ½ inches to spare (this is the only con I can think of too!)

For future development I think a hood with mesh sides would be better to allow more airflow to the baby when they are sleeping and to allow them to see out if it’s too sunny and mum puts the cover over.

When it comes to ranking the carrier I gave it the following scores

(Scoring: 5 -Excellent, 4 – Very High, 3 – High, 2 – Average, 1 – low/below expectation) -                                                           •        

• Comfort for wearer  4.5
• Comfort for baby   5
• Ease of use   5
• Versatility   5
• Overall rating   5

 Overall this carrier is the best I have ever seen and I love it so much and so does Mia.

-Erin (24) and Mia (5mths)