Ok tell me about ergos? Have heard they are the bees knees but what do you all think?

I couldn’t bring myself to pay the Ergo price so went for a Patapum- not done a ‘side by side’ comparison but in terms of shape and way it works I can not see the difference… and much cheaper.

I have a friend who said the weight wasn’t distributed that well (and this is only with a 7 or 8 month old, not a heavy toddler!) and was a bit sweaty but that’s all I know of them, and have never tried myself.

A lot of people live them- but there are major issues with fakes being sold at the moment, the market is full of them, which apparently have some serious safety problems.
If you do get one, I would pay full whack and go to a reputable retailer, just to be safe.

You could look at connectas (not as padded but comfy and slim), patapums (hubby has one and loves it) or even becco butterfly are apparently lovely.

I used to recommend the ergo above all others and I still love ours for the ease of use, but now when people ask (I run a sling library) I recommend other brands too as the ergo has a very short body length. Mt dd3 is tiny, about the height of a 9-10 month old, but since she was 1 she’s been leaning right back in it on my front and it’s really uncomfortable to carry her like that! I have a Kozy mei tai which has a really long body and it’s just so much more comfortable!

If you want a soft-structured carrier, like the ergo (and they are soooooo easy to use!) I would also recommend the Manduca, which is longer in the body, and the Boba is lovely too - Beco are good I think but I haven’t personally tried one. I would also say be very careful what you buy on ebay - the fake ones are stitched badly and are not safe. You really do get what you pay for with slings - secondhand is a much better way to get value for money than buying a cheaper brand or a fake one!

Claire xx

I used to use an Ergo with my little boy and I really loved it. I found it really easy to put on and really comfy. I started using it when he was about 9 months I think and was still using it when he was 3 and would have carried on but my DH left it at London Zoo!!

Charlotte x

Love my ergo,had it nearly 2 years and used for both DD (4) and DS (2). Very comfortable to wear and very convenient when you’ve got 101 things to do and baby needs you too. Had a Kari-me (lovely for newborns i found), a Baby Born (horrible!) and something like the Baba sling (ok) before.

Ergo is by far the best i’ve used.

Lisa x

I have an Ergo and am using it on #2.  We carried DS in it up until DD was big enough.  I live in it, love it and would buy another in a heartbeat.  My kids are big, and a little taller than average.  My daughter is a backarcher, and I haven’t had any problems yet.  I don’t find it too short for their bodies, or hard on my knees.  I am old, and a former figure skater, so my knees are in pretty bad shape :-(

I do not put newborns in there- I heard that the converter doesn’t work well, and it looks wonky to me.  Perhaps they’ve improved on it in the past 3 years, but I used a woven wrap until they were big enough for the Ergo….like the wraps, but there is a learning curve, and if you use the car a lot (and are wrapping up in cold parking lots) it becomes a drag very quickly.

If you do go the Ergo route, they are significantly cheaper in the US.  I think there are some people on this forum who are there, and might be willing to have it delivered to them, and ship it to you at cost and with the appropriate language on the customs form (value £1, used property of addressee) to avoid those delightful duty charges.

However, I have seen some “locally grown” equivalents that also look good.  I think FairyCakes makes some good suggestions, and it sounds like she has access to a lot of different models (lucky her!).  You may want to check out slingmeet and see if there’s a shop near you, or better yet, a sling library, where you can try a bunch.  Kind of hard with a bump, but better than nothing.

Good luck and enjoy your search!

I had one and used it through three kids til the youngest was about ten months, but then, for various reasons, got a beco. Can’t remember exactly why, tried a friend’s and it must have been more comfortable for her or me or something. Also, prettier . (I have the owl one). Keep thinking i should sell it on but tbh it is the sling I will be using for my grandkids

I just used a ring sling, when I need something quick and was not going to be carrying for long, and a wrap (like ellaroo) but was homemade by someone on the internet.  Used these for both my children and still using the wrap for my youngest occasionally.

I would advise trying if poss, first
The Ergo didn’t work for me (I couldn’t get the straps tight enough), or DP
Found the Manduca and Connecta more comfy. And Beco Butterfly was great with my 6mth old(less so with my toddler) but I don’t like the internal harness
There’s lots of other brands too, Boba, Rose & Rebellion, Action Baby Carrier, Madame Googoo, Babyhawk Oh Snap, etc

I have a beco butterfly and love it. I have had the opportunity to try the Ergo and got in a pickle with it. I couldn’t see how my 2 year old would stay in it. But that is just me and probably didn’t give myself enough time to get used to it.

I do love the beco though.

I think that our Patapum is a cheaper version of the Ergo and it’s about half the price. I am a wrap-lover at heart but I definitely wouldn’t be without my Patapum now Roo is a toddler

I HAVE AN ERGO AND I LOVE IT!!! I bought it for DC2 and its now being used for DC5. not great for newborns as i prefered something softer for that stage but beyond that it is so versatile and brilliant. Because DS 6months like to be carried and so does DD 2.5 years i can just do a quck adjustment and switch between children depending on who wants to be carried.

I HAVE AN ERGO AND I LOVE IT!!! I bought it for DC2 and its now being used for DC5. not great for newborns as i prefered something softer for that stage but beyond that it is so versatile and brilliant. Because DS 6months like to be carried and so does DD 2.5 years i can just do a quck adjustment and switch between children depending on who wants to be carried.
do you have a sling library nearby where you can try it out