Help! I Hate My Ergo
We've had plenty of discussions on slings and baby carriers on urbanMamas, but could it be that it isn't for everyone? And what do you do when you've tried plenty of variations and they still don't seem to work? Jane emails us with this question:
I hate my Ergo, is that okay for me to say?! It rubs on the back of my arms and feels awful. Like a bra strap that keeps falling down only worse. I wish I loved it like everyone else does. If I have my son on my back we get along just fine, i my six month old daughter is on the front I am going crazy. I have a Moby, a Chicpapoose, a Baby Bijorn, and a Kangaroo Korner. Plenty to choose from you would think. But with the heat and her getting heavier I turn to the Ergo. I don't think of myself as petite and wouldn't describe my shoulders as anything less than normal width. Could I be doing something wrong or do I need to try out yet another sling/carrier?
I am a personal babywearing consultant, and I would be happy to meet with you locally and help you out - see if it's as simple as a few adjustments needed. Check out my site and call or email me. I'd love to help you figure it out, as the Ergo is one of my favs! Otherwise I can suggest a few more that are similar, but may be better fits for you and the little ones. Good luck mama - Lauren at instinctparenting.com
Posted by: Lauren | July 08, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I couldn't wear the ergo either, I am Way too narrow for it, even on it's smallest setting. Having tried many options, the babyhawk (followed by toddlerhawk) has been my goto carrier.
Posted by: radishly | July 08, 2009 at 10:09 PM
I love the Babyhawk and I love the Beco, for just those reasons.
Posted by: Laurel | July 08, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I as well could not wear my ergo, I am too long waisted and have lower back issues, but I found that a Mei Tai or a My Bei Bei worked great. You can look up NW Babywearers, they hold meetings on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Milagros, to try different carriers before you buy. Or give Lauren a call, I know her and she is fantastic!
Posted by: Madia | July 08, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Hau,
Before you make another carrier investment, please come in when I am working at Milagros and let's see if we can make the Ergo work for you (in fact bring in all your carriers!).
I even could do a "housecall" if that works better for your schedule ;)
Warmly,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer at Milagros | July 08, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Hi Jennifer, The original poster is not me. I LOVE my ergo. I just used my picture, which by the way, was taken at Milagros when Cole was just shy of a year. I'm feeling nostalgic these days!
Posted by: Hau | July 08, 2009 at 10:30 PM
I went through plenty of different baby carriers before I landed on my beloved Ergo on kid #4. I only wished I'd found it sooner! I don't even use the stroller any more for my 21-month-old. I'd rather use the Ergo everywhere we go. I hope someone can help you either adjust yours or find something else that works better. It makes such a difference!
Posted by: alpidarkomama | July 08, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Ah! Me and my late night reading comprehension. It is a lovely picture :)
Jane - Same invitation for you. I would love to help you with what you already have rather than try to sell you a new carrier.
Send me an email and we can arrange a time to meet at Milagros - milagros (at) milagrosboutique.com
Warmly,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer at Milagros | July 09, 2009 at 07:28 AM
The Ergo never worked for me either. I used it just a couple of times -- the fit was never quite right and it was tough to get baby in and out of it. A simple sling worked out much better for us.
Posted by: Karen | July 09, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Thanks all! Jennifer, I will come in some time and see what you think about the fit of my Ergo. I tried it out with one of the employees at Bella Stella and decided it might be me, not the Ergo. Lauren, good to know you are out there. I will pass your name along. I need to take my daughter in to try out the Beco but am not sure I can afford it right now. I will check back and see what others are using.
Posted by: plain jane | July 09, 2009 at 07:58 AM
I was able to use a moby wrap when my son was really small and then I used a sling for a little while (to take a quick stop in a store). But, once my guy got over 24lbs I just couldn't carry him in a carrier anymore. It just didn't work for my body. I have a really small, light frame and the weight was just too much for my structure.
By that time he was big enough to sit in a shopping cart or the jogging stroller, which he just loves. I was still breastfeeding when we made this transition, so he was still getting lots of mommy contact time. Even though I used the stroller, he was never one of those babies that just lived in it!
Posted by: Kristi | July 09, 2009 at 08:21 AM
I really liked the Ergo with the side hold. Your hip gives extra support, and you can be face to face with your child, but they can also see out. That worked very well for me.
Posted by: ktucker | July 09, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Jane,
The Beco is one I have used with many Moms who are unable to use an Ergo. It's surely worth a try. Otherwise, there are many Mei Tai's out there, and that would be my next suggestion.
Posted by: Lauren | July 09, 2009 at 10:04 AM
If the Moby is comfortable but too hot you should try a bamboo loveyduds wrap (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5366490). No association with the seller; I just love mine for the hot weather :).
Posted by: Sarah | July 09, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I relate, we bought the Ergo for my now 6 year old and it seemed fine. My husband never wore it. We got the newer version for #2 and it never worked well for me but did for my husband. We now only have the original one and we both avoid using it. My back hurts when I wear it.
We are both close to 6ft and I wonder if it is the long torso? We are thinking of trying the new sport model.
Posted by: Sue | July 09, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Sue,
The new Ergo sport model may be a better fit for you and your husband specifically because of your height. It has more length in the shoulder straps and the waist belt. We have a demo of the sport at the shop that you are welcome to try on.
And although my invite was to Hau and then Jane :), I want everyone to know that we are always happy to help mamas (and papas) with their slings and carriers no matter where it was purchased. We want folks to be comfortable and successful with their babywearing.
A great opportunity for peer-support on babywearing are the monthly babywearing gatherings put on by the Portland Baby Wearing:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PDX_slingbabes/
They meet in the family room at Milagros on the third Sunday of the month from 11 am - 1 pm.
Warmly,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer at Milagros | July 09, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Sorry, I didn't read all the posts to see if it was already said.. but, go talk to Laurel at Bella Stella. She knows what's up for sure. The Ergo did not work for me either. It was pretty comfortable for me but it felt like it splayed Jacks legs sooo wide.. perhaps because my waist was not small? I sold it on Craigslist in a day for almost what I paid for it.
Posted by: Monica in Cali | July 12, 2009 at 07:21 PM
From the picture it looks as if you need to tighten the latch that goes across the chest. This will pull the shoulder straps up higher on your shoulders so you can avoid the falling-down-brastrap feeling. Also, your lower back will love you if you wear the hipbelt lower. Just really yank it down before you strap in the little one and wear it low. Then when you get the little bean in it, the weight will be distributed onto your hips and not your lower back. Ouch. Good Luck. P.S. Do you know about the side position for the ergo?
Naomi
Posted by: Naomi | July 12, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Don't give up yet! I spent many an afternoon at Milagros "practicing" until I got it right. I still LOVE my ERGO. I cannot begin to tell you how I treasure the memories of kissing Bryce's soft round head every 5 seconds whilst he was cradled to my chest....and I could do laundry. But I was not crazy about it for awhile, it just took some tenacity. I kept trying because I figured all these mommies and daddies who rave about their ERGO may know something.
Posted by: Erika P. | July 12, 2009 at 11:23 PM
I would suggest going to someplace like Milagros to keep trying the Ergo & others until you find the right fit. With my first, I loved the sling but wasn't crazy about the front carrier until he was a little bigger.
With my second child, we never found a sling that worked for us both but loved the front carrier until she was ready to sit on my hip. I wanted an ergo but couldn't get it comfortable there until I had a professional show me how to do it right. She's 3 now and I often wish we still had it! Her little legs get tired and I end up carrying her A LOT!
Considering that she likely won't want to be carried much longer, I'm not sure I can justify spending the money (again).
Keep trying 'till you find the right fit for you!
Posted by: Gina | July 14, 2009 at 10:41 PM