Baby Carriers, Baby Wraps, Baby Slings Reviews, Info.

The ERGO Baby Carriers Questions and Answers. Ergo Baby Backpacks. Ergo Baby Slings

The ERGO Baby Carriers Questions and Answers

From infancy to toddler,the Ergo baby carrier will meet all your needs in the front, back or hip positions. The innovative design enables Moms and Dads to be hands free and remain active and productive in their daily lives.

The ERGObaby carrier’s ergonomic design supports a correct sitting position for the baby’s hip, pelvis and spine growth. It disperses most of the baby’s weight between the hips and thighs and helps prevent compression of the spine. The ERGObaby carrier also alleviates physical stress for the parent by balancing the baby’s weight to parents’ hips and shoulders. ERGO Baby Carrier - Baby Backpacks - Baby Slings - Attachment Parenting

ERGObaby is a Mom Invented line of Babywearing products designed to assure comfort, safety and ease for parent and baby.

Peaceful parenting for a peaceful world is a choice that every parent can make. Babies who consistently receive physical contact and emotional security are more likely to act with compassion and kindness towards others as they grow and mature.

Susan Markel, MD considers the Ideals of Babywearing to be:
Babywearing helps satisfy the baby’s need for closeness, touch and affection.
Holding helps regulate their temperature and heart rate.
Babywearing promotes and strengthens parent’s emotional bond with their baby.
The movement that naturally results from carrying your baby stimulates their neurological development.
Babies cry less when worn or held.
Baby feels more secure. Babywearing facilitates easy outings and travel.

1 - Question: Do I need to have someone helping me to get my child in the carrier? Or can I do it by myself?
Answer: Yes, you can get your baby in the carrier by yourself without the help of any one or anything. I recommend you practice several times with the help of someone, until you feel comfortable with the process. By this time your baby will also be familiar and will help by lifting his leg and hanging on to your back. It also helps to practice in front of a mirror so both you and your baby can make visual connection with what you are doing. There is a demonstration video on our web site, and I suggest watching that several times. I want to highlight a couple of important steps in the process: 1) hold your baby firmly to your back with one arm wrapped around him at all times, 2) bend well forward which takes advantage of gravity and helps your baby sit on your back which will give him a better sense of security. And please remember, if you are still having difficulties call or e-mail us for assistance.

2 - Question: Do I need to have someone helping me to get my child in the carrier? Or can I do it by myself?
Answer: Yes, you can get your baby in the carrier by yourself without the help of any one or anything. We recommend you practice several times with the help of someone, until you feel comfortable with the process. Older babies also become familiar and will help by lifting his leg and hanging on to your back. In the back carry position it also helps to practice in front of a mirror so both you and your baby can make visual connection with what you are doing. An instructional DVD accompanies the carrier and is a great visual for all the maneuvers.

3 - Question: Can I face my baby out when I wear her on the front?
Answer: It is recommended that babies are carried facing inward for the following reasons:
“Infants in outward-facing orientations can’t turn away from surrounding stimuli. They can’t turn inward toward a parent’s body if stimuli become overwhelming. In this position the baby cannot make eye contact with his or her parent to evaluate facial expressions, social cues, and so forth to make assessment of the situation. Only choose a baby carrier that allows your child to face you … never out. There are too many events going on around your baby. A baby has no way to exclude himself from the environment by turning his head away and towards you. Healthy sleep is difficult for a baby who is facing outward. I am not a supporter of the outward facing method of carrying a child.” From - A Baby Wants To Be Carried by Dr. Eveline Kirkilionis (only available in German at this time) She is a human development specialist. Her research on carrying children started in 1985. She compiled helpful tips on picking a proper baby carrier. She lives in Freiburg, Germany.

4 - Question: Can The ERGO be used with Twins?
Answer: It is recommended that babies are carried facing inward for the following reasons: “Infants in outward-facing orientations can not turn away from surrounding stimuli. They can’t turn inward toward a parent’s body if stimuli become overwhelming. In this position the baby cannot make eye contact with his or her parent to evaluate facial expressions, social cues, and so forth to make assessment of the situation. Only choose a baby carrier that allows your child to face you … never out. There are too many events going on around your baby. A baby has no way to exclude himself from the environment by turning his head away and towards you. Healthy sleep is difficult for a baby who is facing outward. I am not a supporter of the outward facing method of carrying a child.” From - A Baby Wants To Be Carried by Dr. Eveline Kirkilionis (only available in German at this time) She is a human development specialist. Her research on carrying children started in 1985. She compiled helpful tips on picking a proper baby carrier. She lives in Freiburg, Germany. ERGObaby supports this analysis.

5 - Question: I have a 3-month old, 15 lb. son. He has excellent head control for his age, but not so well when he’s tired. Would the sleep hood be sufficient, or would I need the infant insert?
Answer: Because your son is right on the cusp of needing the infant insert it is probably not worth buying it for only a months use. You can try putting your son in the carrier and let him tell you whether it works for him or not. There are several ways of placing him in the carrier on the front. One way with both legs off to one side, his bottom still located in the center of the carrier. The other way having one leg/foot tucked up in the carrier Indian style and the other leg dangling down on the other side. Keep trying every once in a while until he seems content sitting in the carrier.

6 - Question: What is the weight limit of The ERGO?
Answer: Generally, baby carriers usually support up to 40 pounds and some parents cut back on use when their child is around 3 years of age. This varies considerably according to each baby and each parent, especially in relation to the parent’s stature and physical condition. The strain on the back increases naturally with the growing weight of the child. It is therefore a good idea to start carrying the baby early because the parent can slowly become accustomed to the increasing demand on the body by the growing weight of the child. This results in a conditioning of the body that reduces the strain of carrying. We say our carrier will accommodate you as long as you would like to carry and/or your baby would liked to be carried. The owner, and designer of the ERGO, still carries her son who is now 4-1/2 years old. As you can see from the picture, it will also carry a 90 lb adult. Some people have carried their aging, infirm parent and believe it or not some people carry their dogs in The ERGO.

7 - Question: If the carrier fits me will it also fit my husband.
Answer: : The baby carrier is successful at fitting both husband and wife. The general range is between women slightly over 5’ and men up to 6’4”. The carrier adjusts at the waist, shoulder straps and chest strap, which allows for many size options. The waist belt can either be worn around the true waist or a little lower around the hips. This is mainly a personal preference but the general rule of thumb is shorter people do best wearing it around their hips and taller people around their waist.

8 - Question: Can I nurse my baby in The Ergo?
Answer: Oh yes, it is perfect for nursing. You should loosen the shoulder straps so that your baby is sitting lower. With an older baby you will have to pull your breast up to their mouth level.

9 - Question: I feel like I have to bend forward to feel like he is sitting upright…it feels like he could flip out backwards, what am I doing wrong.
Answer: You need to tighten the shoulder straps more so that your baby is being held closer to your body. My son loves to do back bends in the carrier when he is bored and wants to emphasize the point. With his legs down around my waist and his body strapped close to mine I have no fear he will fall out.

10 - Question: I have a baby trekker and I wonder how your carrier compares with this one. I have a 2yr old little girl, she weighs 26lbs. I still carry her in a sling a lot, but I’d like a comfy back carrier. I took her for a 2-mile walk the other day in the baby trekker and I couldn’t wait to get home and get it off.
Answer: The two big differences between the Baby Trekker and The ERGO baby carrier is the waist/hip support for the parent which is much more effective at carrying the baby’s weight on the hips, and the healthier seated position for the baby as opposed to being hung by the crotch. Also, when you have learned the technique of getting the baby on your back you can do it in a second without the help of anyone or anything.

11 - Question: While I find the carrier very comfortable, my 4-½ month old boy seems to be uncomfortable. Is he just too small?
Answer: Are you trying to put your baby on the back or on the front? If on the back, my son wasn’t happy being on my back until around 6 months. This I have found to be an individual developmental process for our babies. I have, however had a 3-½ month old baby on my back and he was very happy. Often times if the baby is brought to the mirror they find comfort in seeing themselves. Also, they really like movement so if you bounce and keep moving for a while that settles them down.

12 - Question: I have practiced quite a few times getting my 14 month old into the Ergo on my back and I must say it is very uncomfortable and I feel very off balance trying to put him in. It’s extremely difficult for me to put him on my back by myself. What can I do?
Answer: First of all, think of it as if you were putting your baby on your back for a piggyback ride but you have the carrier there to support you. The more you practice the more your baby will help you by lifting his leg and holding on to your back. It will become second nature for the both of you. Also, if you have access to a computer, study the video on our web site, or contact our office for additional assistance.

13 - Question: Have you experienced anyone wearing the Ergo throughout pregnancy?
Answer: Yes, I have talked with several women who have safely used The ERGO through their pregnancy. However, this is very much an individual preference and I would recommend you consult your health practitioner if you choose to continue to carry your toddler beyond your fifth month of pregnancy.

14 - Question: I’ve just purchased an Ergo, and we’ve used it with little Kara on my front only — she likes to nurse, plus I want her where I can see her when we’re on public transit, which is often because we do not have a car. I need your advice about making it work better for Kara. She finds that the black straps dig into her thighs and cause her discomfort.
Answer: It sounds like she is sitting in too much of a pouch. The back of the carrier should be up as high as her shoulders or just under her armpits. This will give more length in the body and bring the webbing straps higher up.

15 - Question: What makes a baby carrier different than a baby sling?
Answer: Baby slings hang off one shoulder and tend to throw the body out of alignment. A baby sling is a pouch that the baby hangs in to one side. A baby carrier evenly distributed the baby’s weight on the parent’s body. When using baby slings, one hand is often needed to support the baby, but baby carriers leave both hands free.

16 - Question - How long will the extended sleeping hood last?
Answer: When a child reaches 24″ (61cm) in length, measured from the tailbone to the head, the hood will be extended to its fullest.

17 - Question: Can I wear the carrier in the water?
Answer: It is recommended that use of the ERGO in water be done infrequently. The stitching should be fine on either the Classic or New Generation. The Classic would be better in the water because it does not have the cotton batting in the body of the carrier and therefore will not soak up as much water. Yes, they may fade and the more you use it in the water, the more it will fade, and that is a disadvantage. We suggest hang drying them afterwards out of the sun. Detergents are harder on dyes than lake water! We avoid using harsh chemicals to bond the dyes into the cotton so natural fading after washing happens anyway. Salt water should be okay if you rinse well afterwards. If you live in a damp climate, we suggest hang drying until it has stopped dripping and then put it in the dryer to speed up the process. It is also best not to completely dry the carrier in a hot dryer.

ERGO Baby Carrier - Baby Backpacks - Baby Slings - Attachment Parenting