Input requested: ERGO newborn insert
I remember a while back you posted a favorable review of the Ergo. Would you recommend it for my 5-week-old little Noah? I saw that there is an infant insert we could get, but I suppose that by the time you reviewed it, Kathrynne didn't need the insert. What do you think? What's your recommendation? -KristenYou are absolutely right that I am a big ERGO fan. (My review is here.) It was a lifesaver to me with Kathrynne and I can't wait to use it again with our next little blessing. However, I didn't start using an ERGO until Kathrynne was close to a year old, I believe. Though she was always a small little girl, she was definitely not as a small as a newborn at that point so I can't really comment on using an ERGO for a newborn.
I can tell you that I'm pretty sure I'll like it. In fact, I just got the newborn insert myself. Until I've Mommy-tested it for a few months, though, I can't give my own opinion on it. But since I'm sure someone here has used the newborn insert, I'll let some other chime in with their thoughts and experiences.
posted by Crystal Paine at 7:32 AM
14 Comments:
The Ergo is fabulous, but like Crystal I got mine when ds was about a year. I know a lot of people who buy a cheaper ring sling or pouch for the first few months (you can find them for about the price of the insert for some brands or used on ebay) and then switch to the Ergo and 3 or 4 months. So that is an option too. I did a search on thebabywearer.com for you and found a thread on the topic of the infant insert that may help you:
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95104&highlight=ergo+infant+insert
We used the newborn insert for around one or two months, until the baby was about 4 1/2 months old. I found it pretty easy to use and definitely worth the price. The only thing to watch is maybe making sure the insert comes between the baby's head and the strap. Sometimes I couldn't get it placed just right and his head (if he fell asleep) was leaning against the strap. He seemed comfortable (never complained), but I thought it would be more comfy with the insert positioned to provide a little more cushioning. The other thing is that we have a very tall and strong baby so we didn't really need to use the insert that long. I think we could even have gone without it.
Another nice option for carrying newborns are mei tais. They work similarly to Ergos, but are made for carrying babes from birth. Babyhawks are popular, but if you Google, there are lots of options. If/when we have another, that my plan is to use a mei tai until the baby can be in the Ergo without the insert. In the Ergo, a newborn sits sidewise (almost the same position as a sling, but more upright) while in a mei tai they can cuddle tummy to tummy. I prefer that, I think, when they're brand new.
I have used the Ergo with my son from the time he was around a month old--without the insert. I just used a couple of folded up receiving blankets to pad the area behind his head so his head wouldn't flop around. It worked great. I'm glad I didn't shell out $25 for the insert.
I'm not sure how the ergo works with a newborn, because I've never used an ergo! But I just wanted to let you know that if you don't have good success with the ergo, you should definitely look into an unpadded ring sling or a wrap. Both work great, especially with newborns, and are extremely versatile. I don't know what I would do without my carriers! A great site for info and reviews on various carriers (someone there would definitely be able to let you know about using the ergo with a newborn) is thebabywearer.com. This is not a Christian site, but most of the women are extremely knowledgable about baby carriers and are very helpful!
Melissa in AL
Makaylah (3)
Sophia (16months)
I also have the Ergo, and I adore it! But, like Crystal, I bought it when my dd was about a year, to get us through that difficult teething and needing to be held constantly stage. And it was a lifesaver!!!!
For me, the best thing about it is that it supports my back so much better than anything else, mainly because of the very solid waist and chest support straps. I used my friend's Snuggli (I don't know what other names it goes by, but it basically holds the baby on your front, either facing in or out, and is for relatively younger babies, under 6 mths mostly) for the newborn phase, and it was very hard on my back. I also tried a sling that I bought second hand, and I found it really hard on my neck, shoulder and upper back, because it doesn't distribute the weight of the baby evenly (it's all weighted more to one side). Although it's super simple to use and convenient, I wouldn't recommend it if you have back issues.
We're about to get the newborn insert for our Ergo and I'm so excited to use it! Another mom at my church has been using it with her now 5 mth old, right from birth, and she loved it!
Stephanie
dd 27 mths
new darling June 1
I have the Ergo with the newborn insert and love it! I also have a sling, but my baby couldn't get comfortable in it. I really prefer the Ergo.
Karen
Alberta, Canada
I just got an ERGO a few months ago when we lost the front half of my Bjorn at the fair... it has been bliss! I'd never heard of it before, and was actually just looking to replace the Bjorn, but after reading about it from several different Christian sources, I decided the hype might be accurate.
It was! I love it! My youngest son is 8 months old, I got it when he was about 4 months, so didn't use the insert, I'll be interested to see if folks think we need it, since we hope the Lord adds more blessings to our family in future.
I even wore it sledding the other day! Put my 2 year old in front of me on the sled, and sat behind her on my knees, so that if we did slip, I could land on my front and keep babe on my back out of the snow. We didn't crash, and had a great time! The carrier is secure, and amazingly comfy for both me and baby. Did I mention I love it?
Crystal, I thought I'd let you kow the Link to your reveiw doesn't work :-)
I used the Ergo with infant insert all the time with Elena- as in every day, for a while! Because she had an upset tummy in the first few months, she always wanted to be in motion. So she would sleep in the carrier while I danced around doing chores. It was the only way I was able to get things done, and it saved my back. I am now trying to get used to using it for an older baby.
Thanks so much, everyone! I think you're making my mind up for me...
Stephanie, I do have concerns about my back, so that is relevant in my case. I am wearing a Bjorn knockoff right now (by Infantino--someone gave it to us second-hand), and it's KILLING my back. I really like that the Ergo seems much more supportive.
I wanted to add that the Ergo is much better for a baby's development that a Baby Bjorn or something similar. There's information about that here:
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/faq.html#10
http://www.theportablebaby.com/whynotothers.html
I had others, but can't find them! Sorry!
I have a friend who adored using her insert with her newborn. I have the ergo and didn't buy the insert, rather used my bjorn for the first few months. My advice would be to use what you have until you can use the ergo - or borrow an insert from someone who already has it. Not that you shouldn't buy it, but if you already have something else, I don't know if $25 is worth it. Just my .02.
One tip on the ergo is that babies don't always like the position of having their legs spread at first. So, if your baby hates it for a few times, that's normal. They are totally comfortable after that. Keep trying. Mine loves it and I've never met a momma or baby who didn't. Another tip on using it is that you can alter where you clip the clip behind your back or upper shoulders. Different moms find it more comfortable in different spots.
Enjoy it! We do! And everyone said it's so expensive, but it's barely more than a bjorn.
Hi
I have never used an Ergo so am only offering this as food for thought. If the Ergo insert is causing the baby to be propped upright, I could caution against it. A Baby's spine is not meant to be upright until their muscles develop enough to start sitting up. This is the same reason that a Baby Bjorn is not a good idea for young babies as well. Slings are a much better option for little ones.
I love our ERGO but I have never used it with an infant insert. I will here in a few months though :). It is easy on my back and having 5 kids already I have tried slings, pouches, front and back carriers, and hiking carriers and the only one I really like is the ERGO. I am 30 week pregnant and I can comfortably carry my 2 year old around on my back when we go for walks ~ it is much easier on me than pushing a stroller.
One more thing that is important to remember about the ERGO is that your baby will sit in a more natural position with legs hanging from the knees and not the hips like many other similar carriers.
Baby is more comfortable.
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