The Ergo Baby Carrier

The ERGO Baby Carrier Was Selected by Parenting Magazine as One Of The "20 Best Products Of The Last 20 Years", May 2007

Ergo Carrier with Baby in Back Position

Ergo Carrier with Baby in Front Position

When I had my first baby, I was sure I wanted to use some sort of carrier to keep my baby close to me. Little did I know that I was about to embark on a 2 year odyssey, trying sling carriers, the baby bjorn, and even the framed carriers suitable for hiking Everest with my baby. They were all ok in some ways, but they all seemed to have their fatal flaws: the baby bjorn started causing back and shoulder pains once my baby was over 19 lbs or so (at about 11 months), the sling carriers were hard to adjust and also dug into my shoulder after just an hour or so of wearing, and the framed backpack was just so big and bulky - and it didn't have any sort of restraint for my baby's head so when she fell asleep her head would bob all around (despite my friends efforts to put a pillow or pad around her to keep her neck stable).

I had just about given up on carrying my baby when out of the blue a woman ran up to me at an arts festival. She had seen me hiking around with my big, framed carrier and told me that I just had to try the Ergo - it was so comfortable and so much lighter to use than my huge framed carrier.

Well, I was a bit skeptical after trying so many carriers making so many claims, but I figured it was worth a shot. I tried it on and I almost instantly knew that this was something really different than I had tried before - and I liked it. And after a week of using it I was so excited that I began to tell all my friends with baby's about this great, new carrier that felt great to wear, that my baby loved being in, and was such a wonderful change from my heavy, framed carrier. After that I was never without my Ergo, and since it was so lightweight I could easily pack it along on any trip or stroller outing - it became my one indispensible kid accessory. I might forget to pack enough diapers or water (I could always buy more of these when I was out), but I never, never forgot the Ergo. It just made my life and my daughters' life so much easier and enjoyable.

I became sort of an unpaid Ergo evangelist - everywhere I went other moms would come up to me to ask me about my Ergo and I would extol its virtues and let them take a test ride. And usually after trying it for a couple of minutes their first response was to ask me where they could get one. Unfortunately no store carried them in our town, so I had no one locally to refer them to. That's when it hit me - I should sell them. I had never even considered selling anything before. My background is in speech language pathology, and while I had left the field to raise my girl I never thought about starting my own business - I just wanted to be a mom. But I just loved the Ergo so much, and saw how excited other moms were about it, that suddenly I wanted to help make it available to any mom.

Of course I had not the first notion of how to do this - I had never started a business and didn't have any idea how to pull this off. Luckily my husband had had an internet retail business for a few years, and he offered to help me set up a website. That sounded great to me - but I wanted to make sure it was different from all the other sites. My goal was to provide the kind of detailed information on the Ergo and other carriers so other moms could get a good idea of whether the Ergo might work for them. And I also wanted to make sure that no mom got stuck like I did spending a lot for carriers and then having them end up in a closet after finding out pretty quickly that they just didn't work out. That's why I offer a 90 day money back guarantee on all Ergo carriers we sell. I want you to have the chance to try out the Ergo for yourself without worrying about getting stuck with another carrier.

That was in 2003, and since then I've sold a lot of Ergos and used my Ergo now with my latest child since she was a newborn (with the infant insert to start with). I continue to love the Ergo and to try to add as much information on the Ergo as I could so you can make the most informed decision possible. I still offer our unmatched 90 day money back guarantee on the Ergo. And our customer response to the Ergos and our business has been great - we have been deemed a "Trusted Store" by Shopping.com with a 5 star rating and 100% of those reviewing (73 reviews so far) say they would shop with us again. Here's a few examples of the feedback we get from moms:

"You can hardly feel the weight of the baby and it is so comfortable." "As a mother of a son who is growing at an extraordinary rate I did a lot of research trying to find a carrier that he would be in for longer than a couple months and one that would offer great flexibility when it comes to traveling and staying around the house. I was very impressed with the website which included pictures from every angle and very clear directions how what to expect and how to use it. Once ordered, the carrier came with little delay and after putting it on the first time both my husband and I love it. Not only that but our 6 month old son loved it and was laughing at the feeling of being carried on mom's back. You can hardly feel the weight of the baby and it is so comfortable." Shopping.com Review September 13, 2004 (5 star overall rating given)

"I have not been this efficient since [my son] was born!" "Thank you for the prompt shipment of the Ergo backpack! We have been using the Ergo back pack for several days now. My little son loves it!! And so do I!! Today, I actually cleaned up the kitchen, put groceries away, and prepped our dinner with him in the backpack, watching everything. I have not been this efficient since he was born! What a wonderful thing for both of us. We also took a long walk, with my big coat around him, and he slept. What a great way for him to get fresh air and a good sleep. " Jen M.

"No more strain on my back as I carry [my daughter] and "we" unpack boxes in our new home, clean, cook, walk, etc together" "I really love the baby carrier not just for the increased opportunity for closeness and time with my six-month-old daughter. My selfish reasons for liking it include no more strain on my back as I carry her and "we" unpack boxes in our new home, clean, cook, walk, etc together. Not only no more back and neck strain from the Baby Bjorn carrier but I also have the bonus that I'm building bone density as my hips and spine support her extra weight in all our daily activities. " Elaine H.

For those of you new to the Ergo or looking for some more detailed information on it, here are some of the Key features of the Ergo's thoughtful design:

• The ERGO can carry newborns (with infant insert), babies, and toddlers (up to 40 lbs.) - so you only need one carrier for your child's early years
• The padded hip belt and shoulder straps distribute the weight of the baby comfortably onto the parent's hips and shoulders, and the shoulder straps are curved to conform around the shoulders,
• The Ergo can be worn in the Front and Back positions - so it takes the place of multiple carriers.
• Your baby rides facing you in the Front position in the Ergo. This is an important difference from the Baby Bjorn and other typical front baby carrier - the Ergo supports the baby in a natural, seated position which does not put strain on the crotch or spine.
• Has a sleeping hood so you can secure your baby's head while they sleep in the ERGO
• The Ergo Baby Carrier is very easy to use. You don't have to take it off or get assistance to get your child in and out of it.
• There are a number of accessories for the Ergo that add to its versatility. These include the infant carrier insert, extension belt, matching front pouches, and also a back pack that can be added on to the Ergo.

Fabric and Colors

The Ergo Baby Carrier is made out of 100% cotton canvas on the outside, and the body of the carrier is padded with 100% cotton batting and the lining is a 100% cotton poplin fabric with a solid cotton fabric lining (the black ERGO comes with a camel solid lining or a green solid lining, the camel ERGO comes with a camel lining, the cranberry ERGO comes with a cranberry solid lining, and the indigo ERGO comes with a green solid lining). The Hood is made of two layers 100% cotton poplin fabric. The Ergo carrier is machine washable. Additionally, the fabric has gone through extensive testing in Germany and has been found to contain no harmful chemicals. The buckles are made of 100% nylon and are designed to hold up to 230 lbs. each.

ERGO Carrier Colors

Again, all our Ergo carrier come with our 90 day money back trial and we ship out the next day. You'll find the ordering information for the Ergo at the bottom of this page. However, if you are still sorting out the different carrier options, here is a buying guide I came up with that I hope helps you when you are sorting out which carrier style and features are the most important to you:

Like a lot of Moms, I tried several carriers before finally finding one that works for me. I immediately shared my find with my friends and they are thrilled with it as well. During my carrier discovery process, I feel like I learned a lot. And since I wish I knew then what I know now, I thought I would share my experiences with you. Because it was these learning experiences that led me to the carrier that I love - The Ergo Baby Carrier.

Here's what I've learned:

1. Not All Carriers Are Comfortable to Wear

   I learned that even a tiny baby can seem pretty heavy after carrying her around for a while. Personally, I didn't think that carrying my daughter in a sling, with all her weight on just my one shoulder, was very comfortable. And by the time she was 16 lbs. I found that carrying her in the Baby Bjorn was causing pain in my shoulders and upper back and even a tingling sensation in my neck. I now realize that a truly comfortable carrier, like The Ergo Baby Carrier I now use, has two padded shoulder straps and a padded waist/hip belt. This configuration distributes the baby's weight in a way that our bodies can handle it. When you think about it, it is not unlike what a hiker would look for in a good back pack.

2. Carriers That Have Your Baby Hanging By His Crotch May Be Unhealthy

   I had heard that jumpy seats and walkers can be bad for babies' developing bodies, but now there are claims that certain carriers can cause spinal stress. A friend of mine told me about this concern and once I started reading about it, it made sense to me. Apparently the main concern is using a carrier which has your baby dangling by his crotch, e.g. in many of the front infant carriers and even some back framed carriers. Apparently this position can put stress on the spine affecting the development of the spinal curve and possibly spondylolisthesis (slippage of the vertebra). Most of the ones that allow the baby to face forward in front, e.g. the Baby Bjorn, have them dangling this way. Even though this doesn't seem to be a widespread concern yet, it does make sense to me that this position is not a natural position for a baby to be held in. And that's why I like that Ergo Baby Carrier positions newborns in a sling-like position, until they are able to control their own heads, then in a natural seated position.

3. Carriers Should Be Easy to Use
   I just assumed that if I had a popular carrier that everyone else seemed to be using, I should be able to figure it out too. To be honest, I probably just didn't get enough practice with the sling, since my baby didn't like it. And I did find the Baby Bjorn fairly easy to put on and take off. But the Tough Traveler framed back carrier was another story. It just always seemed like such an event to load and unload my daughter. First of all, she didn't have a lot of patience while I was buckling her in and that made the process take even longer. Then, once she was in, I had to heft the whole thing up onto my back which was sort of tricky, especially when we were traveling and I put everything under the sun in that massive storage pouch. Once it was on my back, I was okay, but as she got older, my daughter wanted to get in and out more often and that became rather frustrating for me. I love my Ergo front/back carrier, made of soft fabric with no frame, because I can load and unload my daughter quickly and easily without ever taking the carrier off. And when she is not in it, I can wear it like an empty knapsack - very light.
4. Carriers Should Accommodate a Range of Ages and Sizes

   For the longest time I just assumed that there were infant carriers and then toddler carriers and you just had to buy both. I had no idea there were carriers out there, like The Ergo, that can be used for BOTH infants and toddlers. Not only does that mean you only have to buy one carrier (quite a savings), but if you have two kids, you can use the same carrier for either of them and the other can either walk or sit in the stroller - I would much rather push a single stroller than a massive double one.

5. A Carrier's Size and Weight Can Make a Big Difference

   I can certainly understand why avid hikers might want to consider purchasing a serious framed backpack baby carrier - they have very comfortable shoulder and waist/hip belts as well as considerable storage areas. But what are the rest of us doing walking around the mall with a big old framed backpack carrier on? My guess is that, like me, most people aren't aware that there are other options - namely frameless front/back carriers like the Ergo. I will never forget the day I took my framed back carrier to Sea World. My toddler wouldn't get in the carrier even once. So there I was, lugging that bulky thing around in the humidity, chasing her, picking her up to look at things, and then, sitting in crowded bleachers at the shows, with no place to store the thing. No longer do I have to make the big decision whether or not to bring my carrier. If she doesn't use it, it's no big deal, because The ERGO is not only light (about a pound) but way less bulky (it folds up to easily fit in a knapsack or in the bottom of a stroller).

6. Carriers Should be Adjustable to Fit Adults of Varying Sizes

   My husband and I are not that different in size, but he has a rather long torso and I am all legs. Though our framed back carrier would adjust to accommodate both of us, it was not a quick and easy adjustment. Now, on the occasion that my sister, brother, or a friend watches my daughter, it's nice to be able to easily adjust my Ergo carrier it to fit their bodies which differ greatly in size.

7. Carriers Should Allow Your Baby to Sleep Peacefully

   When my daughter was an infant, she fell asleep in the front carrier all the time and it was never a problem, because either she was in a position of leaning into me comfortably, or I could easily hold her head steady. I really didn't give the sleeping issue much thought when I purchased my framed back carrier, but soon learned it was a problem. I walked quite regularly with friends and though all of us had different types of framed back carriers, we all faced the same dilemma - when our children fell asleep, their little heads got bounced all around, often waking them up and making them cry. We tried using little pillows, rolled up blankets and towels, blow up airline pillows, and nothing worked to stabilize their heads for any period of time without constant readjustment. And, though we could try to help each other's child to sleep more comfortably, it wasn't something we could do on our own. So, if I was shopping alone and my daughter fell asleep, I would often have to solicit the help of a friendly looking soul to stabilize her head with a sweatshirt or jacket. The sleeping baby hood that is part of Ergo Baby Carrier is probably my very favorite feature. It cradles my daughter's head so it doesn't wobble around and she can sleep peacefully. Best of all, I can attach it without assistance!

As you can tell, I am thrilled that I have now found what I feel to be the best baby carrier out there. I like it because it is comfortable, ergonomically designed for a growing baby, light and easy to use, adjustable to fit any size adult and any size baby or toddler, and it allows the baby to sleep comfortably while in it. It even has the added perks of allowing the baby to nurse in it, it's washable, and it has storage compartments.

Oh, and just so you don't think I am completely biased, I would like to share some of my customer experience with you. I have about an 8% return rate. I don't know the reason for every return, but the main reason seems to be that the baby doesn't seem to adjust to it. Several Moms have told me that their babies have been used to facing forward in their infant carriers and since that is not possible with the ERGO (because it is ergonomically designed and therefore doesn't hang the baby by his crotch) they are not happy. It is very rare that I get a return because the Mom doesn't like it - most returnees have made a point of telling me they found it very comfortable and wished their baby had adjusted to the ERGO. I did, though, have a couple of women who referred to themselves as "big bosomed" said that the chest strap was too confining. Then there have been a handful of returns due to duplicate shower gifts. I also have some women who said they had difficulty loading their babies into the back position. It does take practice, but usually people who follow my pictured instructions are able to learn to do it. I encourage customers to contact me if they are having trouble and I'm guessing that most of those I spoke with or emailed must have then figured it out, because I never heard from them again.

If you like to order an Ergo, see our ordering information below. We ship out your order the next business day after your order, and we take customer service very seriously. We want your buying experience with us to be easy and pleasant, to deliver your carrier quickly. And with our 90 day money back guarantee you won't ever be stuck with a the carrier if it doesn't work out for you - just let us know you want to return it and we will refund your money no questions asked.

"Absolutely the best website for the Ergo" "Absolutely the best website for the Ergo -- explicit instructions and photos. The 90 day trial and free shipping were also huge advantages besides the website content. Received the carrier within 2.5 days and used product immediately -- the fastest processing and shipping ever received from a merchant. Have already recommended buying the Ergo from this particular website to three other mothers on street! " Shopping.com Review December 14, 2005 (5 star overall rating given)

"I'm totally in love with my Ergo, but I'm also so glad to have bought it from Jane." "I can scarcely express what an excellent person Jane Rosenberg is. When I ordered my carrier in black, on a Sunday night, I was told through the ordering page that the carrier was sold out in that colour, but would be restocked soon. By eight o'clock the next morning, I received a personal note from Jane, thanking me for my purchase, and promising to contact me as soon as my carrier arrived. By that afternoon, I received another e-mail from her to let me know it had indeed arrived from her supplier and would be sent to me the next day, which was Tuesday. Much to my incredulous joy, it arrived on Thursday, and since I'd studied her website's extremely comprehensive visual baby-loading guide, I was able to put my 12-month-old in it as soon as I whipped it out of the packaging. Within ten minutes of the box hitting my porch, I was hustling us out the door to meet a friend and her baby. (Because the mail arrived the second we meant to leave, we were a little late, but it was so worth it.) Because I've become such a Pilates devotee since I gave birth to my second baby, carrying my 20-pound baby in a Bjorn didn't affect me as much as a "pre-Pilates me" had carrying him in the Bjorn at 15 pounds. However, the first time I used the Ergo, which I only ordered after reading so many glowing reviews, I carried my son for almost seven hours, with two little breaks to breast-feed and play briefly. It was amazing how my back did not ache for a single second. If you are to buy an Ergo, which I think is the best baby carrier I've ever tried -- and believe me, we've wasted enough money on others that turned out to hurt my back in the long run -- definitely order from Jane. She's the most professional and attentive seller you can possibly work with, and she offers free shipping and a completely risk-free 90 day trial period. You couldn't ask for a better deal. I'm actually considering buying another one for my three-year-old, who loves the carrier now, too. Good luck on your baby carrier research and purchase. I know how hard it is to find the "perfect carrier." I'm totally in love with my Ergo, but I'm also so glad to have bought it from Jane. The Ergo itself, I could go on and on about its benefits and how wonderful it is, but I think this review is for merchant performance only. In short, Jane of "My Favorite Baby Carrier" is the best, and I hope she continues to succeed in making so many other parents out there happy. Take care!" Shopping.com Review August 23, 2004 (5 star overall rating given)

How to Order Your Ergo Baby Carrier

Below, you will find our selection of Ergo Baby Carriers along with their pricing and ordering buttons. To order online, just click on the "Buy Now" button for the Ergo Carrier color and lining style you want to order. Or you can order by phone by calling our toll free number - 800-485-5228. All our Ergo Baby Carriers come with Free shipping within the US (details below), and our unmatched 90 day money back guarantee.

The New Generation Ergo Baby Carrier $92 Free Shipping! 4 Color Choices with Different Color Lining Options:

Black Carrier Choice of Linings: Black With Solid Green Colored Lining Out of Stock, Expected in May 13 Black With Solid Camel Colored Lining Out of Stock, Expected in May 13

Camel Carrier Camel With Solid Camel Colored Lining Out of Stock, Expected in May 13

Cranberry Carrier Cranberry With Solid Cranberry Colored Lining In Stock

Indigo Carrier Indigo With Solid Green Colored Lining Out of Stock, Expected in May 13