The Ergo Baby Carrier Enthusiasts

Qty Product Name Price (Free Shipping) Out of Stock, Expected in May 13 Infant Insert - Solid Camel Lining $25 Out of Stock, Expected in May 13 Infant Insert - Solid Green Lining $25 Belt Extension (Note: works only for New Generation Ergos - will not fit in older Classic style Ergo carriers) $8 Out of Stock Indefinitely Carrying Pouch - Black $19 Carrying Pouch - Camel $19 Carrying Pouch - Cranberry $19 Carrying Pouch - Indigo $19 Out of Stock, Expected in May 13 Back Pack - Black $35 Out of Stock, Expected In May 13 Back Pack - Camel $35 Back Pack - Cranberry $35 Back Pack - Indigo $35 To Order, Fill in Quantity above and then click "Order Now"

We carry three accessories for The New Generation Ergo Baby Carrier - the Infant Insert, the Belt Extension, the Carrying Pouch and the Back Pack. See accessory pictures and their descriptions below.

One more accessory, which you might want, but I do not currently carry, is a rearview mirror - it's nice to see what's going on back there sometimes. There are several on the market - they attach in different ways and some are even retractable (I had one of those on my Tough Traveler Stallion). But to be honest, that is one more thing that can fall off, get caught, or get in the way. So here's what I do - I put a very small compact mirror (Dollar Store type) in the zipper compartment of my carrier. And when I am planning to carry my baby on my back (on a hike or somewhere where there are no mirrors) I stick the mirror in my pocket. Then, if I want to see to see if my daughter is asleep or if I've put the sleeping hood on her correctly, I can pull out my mirror and check.

Infant Insert

Now, with the newly designed infant insert, The New Generation Ergo Baby Carrier can truly be the only carrier you will ever need to purchase. The 100% cotton batting insert was specifically designed to fit inside The New Generation Ergo Baby Carrier in the front position. It can be folded to cradle your baby's head and body in a sling-like position to provide that swaddled feeling that so many babies prefer. The insert allows you to keep your baby close and even nurse as you go about your day and the sleeping hood can be used as a sun shade when necessary. It is used for babies who are not yet able to hold up their heads well - usually by 2 or 3 months, babies do not need the insert. The insert is also versatile, because it can be taken out and used as a floor pad or changing pad as well. It available in two fabric choices: a solid camel lining, and solid green lining. The infant insert can be machine washed and dried on gentle settings.

Camel Solid Lining Green Solid Lining To Order - see order form up above.

Belt Extension

The New Generation Ergo Baby Carrier is designed to fit most people - waist size 25" to 43". A belt extension that adds another 8 inches is also available. Please Note - the buckle size changed on the New Generation carrier, and so the New Generation Extension belt will only work with the New Generation Ergos (it will not fit the older Classic design Ergos). To Order - see order form up above.

Carrying Pouch

I love the New Generation carrying pouch! It comes in Black, Camel and Cranberry to match the carriers. The pouch attaches to the carrier and can be worn in either the front or back (it can be worn in the front even if your child is in the front position) - the loop has velcro, so you don't have to take the carrier off to add the pouch. It measures 7" wide, 5" high, and 2" deep (3-4" when it's full), which is large enough for a wallet, cell phone, palm pilot, pen and paper, keys, and even a very small camera. It has a built in key clip and two small zippered compartments - I keep my palm pilot in one and my cell phone in the other, so they don't accidentally drop out and break. But my very favorite feature is the detachable, adjustable strap which makes the pouch into a purse! This way, I don't have to keep switching all my stuff around from purse to pouch and back again. I personally use the purse with the strap most of the time (if it slips off my shoulder when I am wearing the carrier, I clip the purse strap under the chest strap) and then I use it as a pouch when I hike. Of all the accessories, I like this one the best and use it the most. Most of the time I only need my carrier (with a couple of diapers, wipes, kleenex, and maybe a snack - I like to carry only soft things) in the carrier's zipper compartment and my purse/pouch with my wallet, palm pilot, digital camera and cell phone. I keep extra diapers and a change of clothes in the car and that's usually not too far away. Of course for long shopping excursions, a day a the zoo, or a long hike, I bring either the stroller (for my 4-year-old) or the ERGO Back Pack then I have room for all that extra stuff as well. To Order - see order form up above.

Back Pack

At first I was sort of dragging my feet on carrying the ERGO Back Pack for a few reasons. When the original "Back Sack" design came out, I didn't like it very much because you couldn't wear it without the carrier, and I already had toddler I was carrying who was heavy enough. So I decided not to sell the Back Sack, since I couldn't personally endorse it.

Then, the design was changed. The New Generation Back Pack design has straps, enabling you to wear it as a back pack when it is not hooked onto the carrier. This, to me, was a HUGE improvement. Additionally, I now have a young baby, who isn't so heavy and with two kids, I find I need to carry more stuff. So now I find myself using the ERGO Back Pack all the time - and really liking it.

So, here are the pros and cons of the ERGO Back Pack, in my opinion:

Pros:

1. You can wear the Back Pack with or without the carrier.
2. It is very easy to attach and detach the Back Pack to the carrier.
3. The Back Pack holds quite a lot of stuff.
4. There are separate compartments to keep things organized - two outer pockets, a water bottle holder, and a side pocket. The side pocket is designed so that you can unzip it and reach into it when the Back Pack is actually on your back. You can keep a snack or a few toys just inside the zipper (that's what I do) or, you can actually reach through a sleeve into the main compartment of the Back Pack (this works best if you put the item you might be fishing for in the middle of the pack and inside a plastic bag or something, so you can know you are pulling out the right thing.
5. When I am using the Back Pack without the carrier, I like that I can attach extra things - toys, shopping bags, toys, etc. to the straps that are for hooking it to the carrier.

Cons:

1. If I am not wearing the carrier and have only the ERGO Back Pack on, I find the non-padded straps are not as comfortable as my other knapsack which does have padded straps. That said, I should add that it is extremely rare I wear the ERGO Back Pack by itself very often - usually I have the stroller (and I hang the Back Pack on the stroller, with stroller clips, or put it underneath). Also, I have noticed that when I wear the carrier in the front position and the Back Pack on my back, the padding on the carrier shoulder straps serves as padding for the Back Pack straps and unlike my other knapsack with padded straps, the ERGO Back Pack doesn't slip in that position.
2. It can be a bit trickier putting on the carrier when you have a full Back Pack attached to it than it is without it. I would suggest that if you plan to put on the carrier with the Back Pack attached by yourself, that you first become VERY comfortable putting on the carrier in the back position first. I really have no trouble, myself, but I realize I have had a lot of practice.
3. I think that there is a tendency to pack the space you have. Since the Back Pack is pretty spacious, I would caution you not to fill it all the way if you plan to carry it far. Instead of putting everything in the Back Pack, tie your jacket around your waist, put a few things in the front pouch (if you have this accessory) and maybe hang your water bottle from a carribeaner off the black webbing part of your shoulder strap.

To Order - see order form up above.