Ergo Baby Carrier Review

Ok so I said I would update with a review on the Ergo Baby Carrier.  I bought my Ergo a little over a month ago, due to needing a back carrier to carry Mackenzie around once this pregnancy gets a little further along and I can no longer front carry her. 

Mackenzie is an almost 19lb baby and using the Baby Bjorn and Moby have been giving me such bad back pains lately.  So , under the referral of many friends I decided to invest in an Ergo.  I chose the Ergo Original carrier in Galaxy Gray.  It is a cute neutral color with stars embroidered on it and a beautiful star pattern on the inside. 

Ergo Original Baby Carrier - Galaxy Gray

The first couple of trips we took were short maybe carrying her for between 30-60 minutes during our usual weekend running of errands.  First, I front carried her.  Even while 3 months pregnant I had no uncomfortable squishing of the belly or pains in my back/shoulders.  Mackenzie seemed to like it and was very content with being snuggled and being able to look around her at the same time.

At our next shopping trip, I switched her to a back carry.  While it was something new to her and I both, she soon settled in just looking around and within 10 minutes she was fast asleep.  One great option that the Ergo offers is an attached hood.  After being snapped in to the appropriate level, Mackenzie’s head was perfectly supported for a nice comfortable nap.  Again, no back pains or discomfort.  After a day of switching back and forth between the front and back carry, I arrived home still comfortable. 

Since our first trip out I have used the Ergo many times from just doing things around the house to taking a trip into New York City.  The Ergo has become my new best friend.  It is very convenient to take places especially while on the run or shopping alone. In short the benefits that I have found while using the Ergo:

• It is easy enough for one person to put on alone.  Some carriers require the help of a partner to strap the baby in, which eliminates the option of going out alone with your baby.
• It provides a great back support and leg support for the baby, while still being comfortable for baby.
• It distributes baby’s weight evenly, eliminating stress on the back and shoulders of the parent.
• It has three different holds (back, front and hip) which are all comfortable to use.
• it fits a variety of heights/waist sizes so that both parents can use it.
• It is very fast to put on.  Nice carrier for when you have to get in and out of somewhere in a hurry.  I do like wraps, but as any baby wearing mama can tell you, it is time consuming and not ideal for errand running.
• Sleeping hood does adjust so that as the baby grows it can still be used.
• I can throw it in my washing machine when needed to be cleaned.
• It has been weight tested to 90lbs (recommended for up to 40lbs) so that there is no need to buy another carrier.
• I don't find it to be too hot or smothering in the summer weather.
• Has a variety of accessories available to be used with the Ergo (something I plan on buying later on).

Something to watch out for when using the Ergo, is to make sure that the waist strap is around you rwaist and not your hips (my first mistake) and that all straps are tightened properly (waist, back, shoulders).  If these steps are not following, the baby will fall too far into the carrier, which I can imagine to be uncomfortable and not very safe.

 In conclusion, I would definitely recommend anyone who is looking for a carrier to invest the money in an Ergo. 

If you own an Ergo/accessories and have any comments/suggestions, please email me at CelticPrincessMe@verizon.net  I would love to have some feedback from other users for a follow-up post.

Mackenzie's First Yankees Game!

So, this past Sunday 6/12/2011 we took Mackenzie to her first New York Yankees game in NYC.  She took the light rail/PATH/subway rides very well.  I don’t think she fully understood why we were getting in and out of the big metal boxes.  She was in her glory though as Mackenzie is definitely a people watcher and enjoying watching the different people going to and fro throughout the streets of New York.  I took her in the ErgoBaby carrier so that she would be nice and content with the walk, and that I would have less hassle ( a review of the Ergo to come later). 

Before the game we decided to stop at the baby boutique Giggle to check out the double strollers as they carry some of the higher end models that we were considering.  With baby #2 we are on the great search for a good and convenient double stroller.  After checking out the Bugaboo Donkey, which is Bugaboo’s newest and only double stroller, I fell in love.  With a steep price tag of $1,500.00 it is put on the big maybe list.  But, I still have a few months to make my final decision. 

For those of you who have not heard of the store, it is amazing!  They carry a lot of “green” products and higher end baby gear.  It was nice to see the newest baby products as well as accessories to some of the wonderful products that I already own.  We ended up buying Kenzie something called Lil’ Peanut (which is her nickname).  It is the cutest little stuffed doll nestled in a peanut bed.  It is so soft and she just loves to chew on it. 

After the trip to the store, we headed off to Yankee Stadium.   Mackenzie got much attention from the employees there that thought she was just too cute.  And of course she just hammed it up smiling and waving at everyone. 

 Sitting on the floor directly behind home plate gave her a great view of the “baseball men”.  She sat well through 2 ½ innings and then took a nice long nap until about the 7^th inning.  She had a grand time watching the Yankees win the game and wasn’t bothered by any of the loud sounds or cheering.  All in all the game was a success and we ended up finding her the cutest hat. 

When we left the Stadium it was back on the subway and off to dinner.  We stopped at our favorite Japanese BBQ place Gyu Kaku.  It is a unique place where the food you order comes to the table raw and you cook it yourself on a grill in the middle of your table.  As always, the food and dessert was great and we all left stuffed.  Kenzie of course just had a ball playing with a set of chopsticks and watching things get grilled, even though she was a little cranky.

After dinner it was time to head back to the trains and back into New Jersey.  By the time we got home, it was time for our little princess to go to bed.  All in all I would say our first trip to the Yankees game went relatively well, and I can’t wait to take her back into NYC. 

A list of links to places and products mentioned are below:

Giggle Baby Store

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

Bugaboo Donkey

Lil’ Peanut Doll