Ergo carriers vs hip seats

[draught]

I have a 2 year old and a 6 month old (both very beautiful of course!). The baby is growing out of her baby bjorn carrier and I am trying to decide between a hip seat which I can possibly use for both of them, and an "ergo" carrier for the baby. Carrying both of them at different times (and occasionally at the same time) is giving me all sorts of back and neck problems, and sore arms, so I am hoping that one of these would reduce the problems. I thought that the ergo might help with carrying the baby while I chase the toddler at her various activities, but then read that the hip seat is great for popping into the shops etc. Does anyone have any advice about which would be better? Is the ergo easy to get on and off?

Thanks in advance!

Theresa
Also known as Ella and Chloe's mum :)

[mamafelix]

Hi Theresa

I haven't used either of them personally but I've read great raves about the Ergo from other parents, and a lot of people seem to be using them to carry quite big kids (up to 3-4 years) so maybe you could use it for both?

I guess 'poppability' with a toddler might be an issue though- I use a ring sling (over one shoulder) with Felix and that's great for the on and off factor, but he's getting pretty heavy now so it's less comfy with all the weight in one side. Does the hip seat sit on one or two shoulders?

I've had a look at hip seats before, but I have never actually seen one in real life, or heard from someone who has one so can't really help.

I've also considered getting a ABC (asian Baby Carrier or Hmong) type sling where you can wear them on your back easily, but also on the hip, and it goes on and off easily too.

I'd recommend checking out some of the major babywearing sites and maybe asking the sellers for advice as well. www.carryingaway.com www.mamatoto.org are a couple I visit.
You could post in the 'babywearing' section of the natural parenting forums too- that's where I've heard people talking about Ergo's. www.forums.naturalparenting.com.au

hth

[draught]

Thank you for the advice - and for the great websites. The hipseats I have been looking at are the ones which are like a bumbag - they basically provide a shelf for the baby to sit on and you still use your arms to hold them. So the obvious advantage of the sling or carrier is that you can be hands free. I think I will go with the ergo to start off with and then look at a hipseat when baby is a little older, if I need to. My attraction to the hipseat was the lack of pull on shoulders, but from what I read the ergo will overcome that problem anyway.

Theresa

[draught]

For anyone interested I bought the ergo carrier from Amanda at carrying away (on the bubhub list of shops for carriers and slings) - it is fantastic. I also bought a sling with a pouch (a circular piece of fabric with no clips or rings) for carrying the baby on my hip or rocking her to sleep and that is great too. The beauty of the ergo is thatI can also use it for my 2 year old (on my back) - we tried her out this afternoon and she thinks it is hilarious - and it was comfortable despite her 13 kgs. So I am very happy.