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171 of 175 found the following review helpful:
 Best For You, Best For Your Baby Apr 29, 2009
By poundofturtle
After reading many online reviews, asking other baby-wearers, and trying four other baby carriers, It is my opinion that the Ergo is the best carrier for my baby and for me. I will tell you what I love about the Ergo style in general, and then what I like specifically about the Ergo Sport, followed by the things I don't love about the carrier. Finally I will talk about how I think my 7month-old daughter feels about the Ergo.
First, what I like about the Ergo in general: I like that the Ergo baby carrier puts most of the baby's weight on your hips, making it much more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. It also has very nice padded shoulder straps. Next, I love that my baby is in a healthy seated position,(and as far as I can observe, she is also more comfortable.) I have read that carriers offering the front carry position (this one doesn't) are not good for your baby, because instead of being seated, they are just kind of hanging from their crotch and that it puts too much pressure on their spine and hips. Versatility--I really appreciate that the Ergo offers three different carry positions: Back, Front, and Hip (your baby faces in toward you in each of these positions.) A good carrier should carry your baby like you would--close and high. This carrier does that. Also, the Ergo has a "sleep hood" which I can pull over my sleeping baby to keep her head from bouncing around. It can also provide privacy for your baby to nurse in the carrier if you choose. Lastly, because of how it is designed, you can carry heavier children in it (it's rated for up to forty pounds), so you can use the same carrier for your baby, or your toddler. The Ergo is to be used only when a child can support his own head well, but there is an infant insert you can buy to use before that. I have not comment on the insert, as my daughter was 6 months when we got it, so we did no purchase the insert.
I cannot compare the Ergo Sport to the original Ergo, because I have not tried the original, but these are the reasons I chose the Sport: First, it claims to be made of a more breathable material for more active and outdoor use--summer is coming, and my baby gets grouchy when she's hot. Second. The straps are longer and I want a carrier that will fit my husband (who is a bigger guy) as well as myself. I have not yet tested the breathability in hot weather and sunshine, but the carrier is VERY comfortable, and seems to be super-durable and well-made. I'm pleased with my choice.
These are the things I don't really love about this carrier: It does take some practice to become good at getting your baby into and out of it. The back carry position has been particularly tricky for me, but we are improving. Kind of along the same lines, some of the positions seem to put the straps and buckles kind of out of reach, so that I have to really strain to get everything all strapped and adjusted. I know I'm not as flexible as I used to be, but at thirty-two, it really seems like it shouldn't be so tough. I'm confident that over time I will find what works best for my baby and for me, in getting her in and out of the different positions. Those are my only complaints, but I'm willing to live with them, because I don't believe that the carrier could be made easier to use, without making it less comfortable and safe. Also, I know that some will object to the price. I personally think that a good baby carrier is something worth investing in, and I feel like the Ergo's price is justified by it's high quality, comfort, and safety.
Finally, if my baby could tell you what she thinks about the Ergo Sport I think she would say something like this: "I like that I am more comfortable for longer, and that my mommy is more comfortable so she lets me stay in it for longer. I like that I can nurse while Mom is making dinner. I do wish that the Ergo would let me face out instead of always facing in. I am not yet tall enough to really see well over the straps of the Ergo, and I like to be able to look straight forward, see everthing, grab everything, and kick my legs. I think as I get taller I will like it more."
The Bottom Line: Most baby wearing enthusiasts will tell you that they use different slings, wraps and carriers for different purposes, such as slings or wraps (like "Hot Slings" ring slings or the "Moby Wrap") for newborns; and more structured carriers (like the Ergo) for older babies, longer outings or hands-free housework. The Ergo offers quality, comfort and safety for you and your little one, at what I consider a fair price. I would definitely say it's a good choice in baby carriers.
69 of 73 found the following review helpful:
Saves your back! Better than Bjorn, worth the extra $ Jul 08, 2009
By Y. R. Wu
"The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare - Juma Ikangaa"
We have a Baby Bjorn, a Snugli and an Ergo Baby. The Ergo Baby is the one we use, the other two we donated to the salvation army.
The big advantage the Ergo has is the waist strap. This shifts a significant amount of weight to your hips. Otherwise the entire weight is held on your shoulders, which gets to be quite uncomfortable after a while.
By putting the weight on your hips, the Ergo Baby makes it possible to carry a child who weighs more and for a longer period of time. I wish we'd found this with our first child, as it would have saved us money (for the other ones we bought) and our aching backs!!!!
There's also a couple of pockets - one with a zipper. Good place to put your cell phone, wallet, etc. The Snugli had a pocket with snap, while the Bjorn had none. The Ergo is not as sleek and attractive as our navy blue Bjorn. Our Ergo was a gift and it came in a pale turquoise. I think the black Ergo looks better, but it's still not as sleek and stylish as the Baby Bjorn. Frankly, after a few weeks of a newborn crying at all hours, looking hip comes way down the list after comfort, convenience and sleep.... Just saying...
The only complaint would be that it takes some practice to use the side carry and rear carry positions. The DVD does show how it's done, but it really helps to have someone who is familiar with the process or have someone spotting you the first time you use it in these positions.
If you've found this review helpful, please let me know!
38 of 39 found the following review helpful:
Best Baby Carrier- Hands Down Jul 29, 2009
By B. Peay
We purchased this carrier after a recommendation from a friend (parent of twins living in NYC). They highly recommended the Ergo as the most comfortable carrier for infants and toddlers. I tried a few others before buying, including the Bjorn, and chose the Ergo Sport. We've now had our Ergo for almost 6 months, and anytime parents ask me about it I give them my sales pitch. Here are my pros and cons:
Pros:
-When worn correctly, it puts the weight of the baby on your hips instead of your shoulders and back. This allows for a longer period of wearing without sore shoulders and back. The thick padded shoulder straps are also nice, and the backpack-like structure distributes weight nicely in the front or back positions.
-Versatile. With 3 carrying positions and a weight range up to 40 pounds it will be the only carrier you need with an infant or toddler. I didn't purchase the infant insert, but found that by folding a blanket and using that as the infant insert my baby could sit comfortably. We also put him in sideways, with both feet out one side until he was big enough to straddle comfortably. At 4-5 months we felt that he was big enough to straddle and sit in the carrier without stretching his legs. He loves sitting so close to me while I do things around the house, as well as grocery shopping, sitting in the front position. We recently began putting it on our backs and he enjoys this also, as he can look around while we walk. I don't prefer the hip position, because I feel like it throws my balance off, but the front and back positions are great.
-My husband even offers to wear it, and it fits both of us well. It's easy to adjust the straps to each individual.
-Being in the Texas heat, you are going to sweat no matter what carrier you use, but we've found the Ergo to breathe pretty well.
-The soft-shell form packs nicely into it's little bag, and is really easy to stuff into a suitcase or bag for traveling.
-When it gets dirty, just throw it in the washer. My son loves to suck on the straps while he is in it, so this is nice. It's also made of a very soft material- comfy for baby's skin.
-The sleeping hood is adjustable to fit any height of child and works as a sunshade/privacy shade as well.
-Durable construction. Reinforced stitching at tension points ensures that it is safe and stable for your baby. I feel like it will last for many years.
-Our baby loves to be in it! The first few times he squirmed while I got it adjusted, but once he was settled he usually fell asleep within 30 mins. Now he is much more aware, but still can be lulled to sleep by the movement and security of being close to mom or dad. As mentioned before, he likes to suck on the straps and just looks very content when sitting in it.
Cons:
-A little pricey, but worth the investment.
-The sleeping hood is tricky to put on by yourself, if you are wearing the carrier. Usually my husband can help me attach it, but once or twice I've had to ask someone else for help.
-It takes a few practices to feel comfortable putting the carrier on, and putting the baby in, without help. I practiced over the couch or bed until I felt sure of myself, and now it takes me less than a minute to put him in and adjust everything (no matter where I am). My husband, who wears it less often, always has me help him load our baby in. The instructional videos on the ergo website are extremely helpful in showing how to correctly position the baby and adjust the carrier.
-There is no zippered pocket on the Sport version for your keys or cell phone. I purchased the little bag that attaches to the waistband and that works when we don't want to bring the diaper bag along.
Overall, this is a fantastic product. We're very satisfied with our purchase. It is a great baby carrier and a nice alternative when using a stroller isn't convenient.
29 of 29 found the following review helpful:
 Not great for petite wearers May 22, 2011
By BaltimoreMom
I have worn and loved my original Ergo for nearly 3 years. Now that I have a summer baby, I ordered the sport version for its lightweight fabric---thinking it would be exactly the same as the original except for fabric and longer straps. This isn't the case. The Sport is cut for a larger frame. For me there is too much unpadded area on the front of the straps such that the padded part just barely covers my shoulders (I am 5 foot 2). In addition, with front carry, I'm unable to reach behind my back and secure the strap that connects the 2 shoulder straps to prevent them from slipping. I have to ask someone to buckle the strap for me or do some serious contortion (and sweating) to do it myself. Also, the sport version is wider than the original so my infant really has to straddle my entire torso rather than letting his legs dangle a little. In addition, despite the lighter fabric, it's still hot. No matter what fabric a carrier is made of, having two bodies touch in 80+ degree weather causes some serious heat so don't expect miracles. I'm keeping this simply because we need 2 carriers for our 2 kids and my husband can wear this comfortably. For me, the original is better. Lastly, one of the snaps on the hood has already popped off and it's only been a few days. Hopefully Ergo customer service will send out a new one.
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
Has no equal Mar 12, 2011
By A. Galindo
"SMILE"
We own two ergo carriers, the organic one in brown with the matching backpack and this one. I've tried the moby wrap and two different sling carriers and I have to say, nothing gets it done like this. I've thought about trying the other brands of carriers that have a similar style of support, but their reviews just aren't as good.
** If heat IS NOT a factor and you are petit / have a small baby that is old enough to not use the infant insert, I recommend getting an original ergo cut, the sport is cut for larger people and babies. I'm only 5'2" 108lbs and the sport works awesome for me- but I only use it more than the other because of the heat, I have it ALMOST to the smallest settings in every way, so it will adjust, but the original is just a little more comfortable padding-wise for me.
Also, don't expect miracles- NO carrier is going to stay comfortable in 90+ degree weather for more than 20 min, if that, even with an umbrella. Maybe if ur LO is only wearing a diaper.... Carriers in general suck in the heat- that proximity to a body is always gna roast those involved, there's no escaping body heat.
Pros:
-Fast to put on
-You can put it on by yourself
-The most comfortable for the longest. I can go for about two hours before this thing starts to irritate. Sometimes it's too tight in the waist and I have to readjust, but it's all about making those adjustments.
-Adjustments are EASY. Once you get used to it you start to figure out where it needs to be adjusted relative to the discomfort. When the other carriers get uncomfortable, you're screwed.
-I nurse in this thing all the time, and once you get the hang of it you can do it really discreetly- with the infant insert, I haven't tried without yet- and even while you are walking. That's one of my favorite features, to not have to take him out to feed on demand. My son is 17 lbs at 4 months and I haven't been able to nurse him in the slings comfortably. To nurse it helps if you lower the waist and then lower the arm straps, lowering the strap more on the side you're going to nurse helps to not have to preform boob gymnastics, but you have to hang on to baby, they start to slide out that way.
-Grocery shopping, house work, I take my son to work with me and actually get stuff done. The pocket makes it a lot easier to not have to carry an extra bag if you are just going to the grocery store, you can keep your money- not neccesarily your wallet, phone-I squeeze my iphone in there, and car KEY.
-I love how if I decide to take the carrier off I can roll it up and snap it all together, with the infant insert inside it and velcro it to the backpack with the straps that you usually use to attach it to the other carriers.
Complaints (this thing is so great, and has made life so much easier that it doesn't lower my rating):
- Wish the pocket was bigger like the size on the other ergo carriers, I think it's because it makes it look more sleek...it does look nice, but I sacrifice for function.
-The ergo backpack doesn't seem to attach to this- if someone figures out how, please comment me.
-It's a tad bulky to carry with you when not in use, but they do squeeze it into that box that you get it in....
-keep in mind that if you have a smaller baby, she will be spreading her legs around you as the width of this carrier is slightly wider than the original ergo- maybe bc it gives more support- may need to use the infant insert for longer. I've found that babies are very flexible this way though and it doesn't seem to bother them as it would bother an inflexible adult- just my opinion- there could be other effects on bone development.
My LO is pretty big and I think this will fit him the longest. Right now we are still using it with the infant insert.
We live in south tx so I got this one because we needed something that would have good air flow, its just too hot to walk outside with a baby wrapped around you in one of the wrap style carriers. While you can only do about 20 min in 90+ weather its still better than the others.
Update:
My LO is 8 months old now and this thing is still being used like crazy. He's 20 lbs and I can still cart him around for about about 45 min while he naps. Since he's teething sometimes he has a lot of trouble staying asleep and the closeness seems to make him feel a lot better- The sucking pads are a must at this age.
Not only that, but they get really shy around this age and it makes him a lot more comfortable in situations where he doesn't know who everyone is. I still nurse him / put him to bed in it too. I freaking love this thing.
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