Front and back baby carriers give you great versatility when deciding how to carry your baby. Slings can be worn on the front or side but usually are not recommended for holding the baby on your back. Wraps work very well as front, side, hip, or back carriers – positions are limited only by your imagination and your skill in tying the wrap. Some of the newer structured carriers are designed so that newborns are worn on the front while older babies can be carried on your back using the same carrier.
One of the most popular multi-position carriers is the Ergo Baby Carrier. This soft fabric carrier is unique in its flexibility and comfort, fitting adults from 5’ to 6’6” comfortably with the adjustable chest and shoulder straps. With an extension for the waist belt, it will fit adult waist sizes to 51” (the carrier itself fits up to 43” waists without the extension, and only one extension should be used for safety). The Ergo is fitted with a wide lumbar support system to help you carry even the largest toddler for longer periods of time and in complete comfort, and the carrier itself weighs only 2.2 pounds. The capacity rating for the Ergo is ninety pounds which is probably much more than you can actually carry!
The Ergo can be purchased with optional accessories including a baby infant insert, needed for safety with the smallest babies, and the baby front pouch, which is an attachable pouch for diapers and the like.
Growing with your baby
When you first introduce your baby to the baby carrier, you’ll want to use the infant insert to keep the baby safe. This padded insert allows you to comfortably secure your baby in the carrier in a sling-like position that’s perfect for nursing, and then the privacy hood might come in handy too.
As your baby grows and develops better head control, the infant insert can be removed so that the Ergo acts as a front pack, a side carrier, or a hip pack (once the baby has the ability to sit up). The hood can be used to keep the sun out of baby’s eyes or to cope with a quick rain shower.
Once the baby has good head control and the ability to sit up well, you can use the Ergo as a baby backpack! In the beginning you will need two people to help, until you feel comfortable positioning baby on your back yourself. When removing the pack after a great walk, what I usually do is sit on the couch and remove the shoulder straps.
The Ergo Baby Carrier is great for babies – not only does it keep them close to the center of the action, but it actually encourages them to develop good posture. When in the Ergo Baby Carrier, the design encourages them to use their legs on your body as part of their support system, and the seated position provides more support for your baby’s growing spine.
Other multi-position baby carriers can be used, of course, and you should try several to see what’s most comfortable for you before purchasing. However, few match the versatility and comfort of the Ergo while fitting so many different adult sizes.
