Ergo vs. bjorn

[Dalilama]

Hi All-


I'm currently 23 wks prego with my first. Im researching baby carriers but not sure which I should opt for. I currently have a sling I intend to use, but would also like a sturdier carrier for longer outings...I've good things about the Ergo Baby as well as the Baby Bjorn---what are your opinions??

Also--

Is the Ergo only inward facing?
Are they both appropriate for a newborn to 6 mo old?

Sorry if any of these questions are dumb...never done this before..

[hoodlims]

the Beco Gemini sounds like your best bet. Sturdy soft structured carrier (SSC) with option to forward face.

[rin]

The Bjorn is great for newborns. There are always a million on craigslist. The Bjorn is horrible for heavier babies, say over 12-15 lbs, since there's no waist support and all the weight hangs on your shoulders. The Bjorn can be either inward or outward facing, but front carry only.

I loved the Ergo for past the newborn stage. To use it for a newborn you need to buy an insert, which I never did. The Ergo is only inward facing, but can be either front or back carry.

However, some kids have their own preferences that don't line up with the parents'! My DD loved the Bjorn but hated the Ergo. In your shoes, I'd probably get a used Bjorn & then wait until it started being uncomfortable & see if there's a place around you that does carrier workshops where you and the baby can go try out different carriers to see what works for you. I live in a pretty small town and there's one baby store that does carrier workshops, so depending on what part of the country you live in this might be a nice option.

[hoodlims]

Oh, and both the Ergo and the Beco are appropriate for newborns. They both have a newborn insert that you remove when they get to about 15lbs. The Beco carrier comes with the newborn insert, the Ergo's is additional. The price reflects that too.

[Kaylee31]

I'm also 23 weeks-- Congrats! :)
I was never successful w/babywearing the first time around. I had a ring sling which was ok, and a Baby Bjorn that DS never seemed comfortable in. And of course once he got heavier, it was uncomfortable for me to wear and hurt my back. I also wasn't aware that the Bjorn is sometimes thought to be harmful for babies b/c of the pressure it puts on their hips & spine. I've since heard it & similar carriers (like Snuglies, etc.) referred to as "crotch danglers".
This time I plan on getting a Beco Butterfly (another SSC), which is newborn-friendly, but doesn't have the option to face out.
Here is a good comparison of the Ergo & Bjorn: http://www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com/comparison_baby_bjorn.html
I'd suggest either getting a carrier from a local store, or online from Amazon, so you can return it if it doesn't work for you.

[SnuggleBuggles]

The Bjorn is great for newborns. There are always a million on craigslist. The Bjorn is horrible for heavier babies, say over 12-15 lbs, since there's no waist support and all the weight hangs on your shoulders. The Bjorn can be either inward or outward facing, but front carry only.

I loved the Ergo for past the newborn stage. To use it for a newborn you need to buy an insert, which I never did. The Ergo is only inward facing, but can be either front or back carry.

However, some kids have their own preferences that don't line up with the parents'! My DD loved the Bjorn but hated the Ergo. In your shoes, I'd probably get a used Bjorn & then wait until it started being uncomfortable & see if there's a place around you that does carrier workshops where you and the baby can go try out different carriers to see what works for you. I live in a pretty small town and there's one baby store that does carrier workshops, so depending on what part of the country you live in this might be a nice option.


Agreed. I had a Bjorn and a Beco. The Beco was awesome once ds2 got to be heavier than about 15lbs. The Bjorn is simpler to use, imo (just remember that you have it right when you can kiss the top of their head while in the carrier- so many people do that wrong). I always kept the Bjorn done up on one side so I could just slide the baby right in after I put it on.

The Beco was just great for effortless carrying. It felt good and comfortable. I used it as a front carry and a back carry. Unfortunately I never mastered gtting him on my back without help but with help it was a nice option.

I got my $'s worth out of both of them.

Beth

[BayGirl2]

Beco butterfly, Beco Gemini, Pikkolo, and Ergo are all great options for soft structured carriers. The Portable Baby has a great comparison on their site. I use both a sling and a Beco for my newborn and love my Pikkolo too.

I personally don't think a Bjorn is worth it for the short lifespan and discomfort for parent. And the babies in them look really uncomfortable to me.

[Pilotbaby]

Beco butterfly, Beco Gemini, Pikkolo, and Ergo are all great options for soft structured carriers. The Portable Baby has a great comparison on their site. I use both a sling and a Beco for my newborn and love my Pikkolo too.

I personally don't think a Bjorn is worth it for the short lifespan and discomfort for parent. And the babies in them look really uncomfortable to me.

I am looking at all of the options that you have Amy. Can you tell me which one is the coolest? Am worried about wearing the baby for long periods of time in the summer and both of us getting too hot.
Thank you!

[wellyes]

Ergo for sure!
I like the moby wrap for newborns :)

[larig]

Another rec for the ergo. I still carry my 3+ year old in it, on my back. He's not a small one either--well over 35 pounds. He still loves it. I can carry him over a mile on my back in it. It's just that well made and has a great hip strap.

The ergo also allows for a side carry.

[mjs64]

I had a Baby K'Tan (stretchy wrap) for DS as a newborn and a Beco Gemini (can be used with a newborn). Love them both! Gemini was not too hot in the SoCal summer, not at all.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I really recommend finding a baby wearing group, like pp mentioned. I bought an Ergo and it turns out it was way too bulky for my frame and it rubbed my arms. I was able to return it but I wish I had tried it. After that I found a baby wearing group (might have been called NINO- Nine In Nine Out) and it was awesome. Moms who knew how to baby wear and had a gazillion carriers to try on (and borrow if you were a member).

Beth

[lizzywednesday]

I am looking at all of the options that you have Amy. Can you tell me which one is the coolest? Am worried about wearing the baby for long periods of time in the summer and both of us getting too hot.
Thank you!

When babywearing in the summertime, dress lightly to try and temper the body heat-to-body heat of baby & mama.

You might want to look into an Ergo Performance (which is not cotton, but made from tech fabric, so it wicks perspiration away) if you're super-concerned with heat or if you're in a hotter climate:

http://www.quirkybaby.com/ergo-baby-carrier-performance-grey.html

The only thing that really stinks about an Ergo is the newborn insert sold nowadays is super-bulky and I'd have used it a lot more with a late-fall or early winter baby, but my DD was an end-of-winter baby, so it was pretty useless for us. I much preferred my woven wrap for most of her infancy!!

[BayGirl2]

I am looking at all of the options that you have Amy. Can you tell me which one is the coolest? Am worried about wearing the baby for long periods of time in the summer and both of us getting too hot.
Thank you!

I own a collection, so here are my thoughts. I went to a babywearers meeting to try on SSCs before buying one. I probably would have gotten an Ergo, but the straps felt to bulky for me, so I got a Pikkolo first. Later got a Beco because I found a deal and liked it for back carries. My DH also uses all of them. I like/use all that I have, but here are my opinions:

Pikkolo - super easy to use. Like it for 4+ months old for facing out and in on front. Works for back carries but a bit harder to get on back. Still use it for our 2 yo. Haven't tried it for a newborn, but it should work. Easiest to BF in and maybe the coolest SSC because there's no inner fabric.

Beco Butterfly II - Like the inside pouch to help hoist them into a back carry. Newborn insert is built in. Straps are more complicated to figure out but offer a lot of flexibility. I've been using this for shopping with my newborn, but at 5 weeks just took out the insert, she's already tall enough to use the main pouch. DD gets me very sweaty in it but she sleeps so well in there!

Pouch Sling - Keep these in our diaper bags for quick in and out. Useful around the house too. Use for newborn cradle carry, kangaroo carry for older infant, and hip carry for the toddler. My favorite brand is SlingLings. The coolest option IMO, but not as good for longer outings since its asymmetrical.

Moby D - Wrap works best for smaller babies. Ideally if you wrap it in the morning you can pop the baby in and out throughout the day. I admit I don't use mine enough to make it worthwhile. Hot in warm weather.

[lowrioh]

I've had a Original Ergo, Ergo Sport, woven wrap, Beco Butterfly, a ring sling and a pouch sling. I borrowed a Bjorn and my shoulders KILLED me after using it for an hour.

DD1 liked the Ring sling when she was a newborn and I started using the Ergo and then Beco when she was around 4 or 5 months. I was never happy with the inserts in either of them. I preferred the Ergo over the Beco because it fit me better so I ended up selling the Beco.

With DD2 I used the woven wrap (I didn't have it for DD1) until she was 4 or 5 months and then moved over to the Ergo Sport. She didn't like the sling at all. At first I was intimidated by the wrap but it is actually dead easy once you get the hang of it.
I traded the Original Ergo for the Ergo Sport because it has a longer waist belt and the shoulder straps can extend further so it fit me and my giant husband better.
So basically, it depends on your body and the preference of the baby.

[swissair81]

I have a Pikkolo. I love it. Also loved, Baby Hawk Mei Tai.

The Ergo did not work for me in a big way. I wouldn't recommend the Bjorn to anyone I know whose back I care about. Awful.

[ABO Mama]

I'm another mama who is against the bjorn...it hurt a lot! I wouldn't waste my money on one. I love wraps for new babies, and a nice structured carrier for an older baby (beco, pikkolo, ergo, etc).

[AustenFan]

We have a Bjorn and and Ergo, and my first two outgrew the Bjorn within a few months, but DD2 is still such a peanut (13 lbs) that I can still use it fairly comfortably at 7 months. Our Ergo is easier on the back, but you do have to wait to use it if you don't want to deal with the infant insert.

Just borrowed a friend's Pikkolo and LOVED it! Seems the best of both worlds. If I didn't already had two, I would buy one.:)

[Pilotbaby]

I own a collection, so here are my thoughts. I went to a babywearers meeting to try on SSCs before buying one. I probably would have gotten an Ergo, but the straps felt to bulky for me, so I got a Pikkolo first. Later got a Beco because I found a deal and liked it for back carries. My DH also uses all of them. I like/use all that I have, but here are my opinions:

Pikkolo - super easy to use. Like it for 4+ months old for facing out and in on front. Works for back carries but a bit harder to get on back. Still use it for our 2 yo. Haven't tried it for a newborn, but it should work. Easiest to BF in and maybe the coolest SSC because there's no inner fabric.

Beco Butterfly II - Like the inside pouch to help hoist them into a back carry. Newborn insert is built in. Straps are more complicated to figure out but offer a lot of flexibility. I've been using this for shopping with my newborn, but at 5 weeks just took out the insert, she's already tall enough to use the main pouch. DD gets me very sweaty in it but she sleeps so well in there!

Pouch Sling - Keep these in our diaper bags for quick in and out. Useful around the house too. Use for newborn cradle carry, kangaroo carry for older infant, and hip carry for the toddler. My favorite brand is SlingLings. The coolest option IMO, but not as good for longer outings since its asymmetrical.

Moby D - Wrap works best for smaller babies. Ideally if you wrap it in the morning you can pop the baby in and out throughout the day. I admit I don't use mine enough to make it worthwhile. Hot in warm weather.

Thank you Amy. This is such great information. You are the second person who has mentioned the ease of the pikkolo. That is one of my greatest concerns b/c my husband will be gone much of the first year and I need to be able to get the baby in and out. Also considering the Beco Gemini- in your experience, do you think that one is as easy to use? Thank you again!!!

[BayGirl2]

Thank you Amy. This is such great information. You are the second person who has mentioned the ease of the pikkolo. That is one of my greatest concerns b/c my husband will be gone much of the first year and I need to be able to get the baby in and out. Also considering the Beco Gemini- in your experience, do you think that one is as easy to use? Thank you again!!!

I haven't tried the Gemini, it came out after I bought my others and I've resisted shopping for more. If its like the Butterfly, it would be good to use alone because its easier to get into a back carry. The Butterfly is more complicated but very adjustable once you figure it out. Does the Gemini have a similar pouch inside? If so, I think it may be the best of both worlds.

[Pilotbaby]

I haven't tried the Gemini, it came out after I bought my others and I've resisted shopping for more. If its like the Butterfly, it would be good to use alone because its easier to get into a back carry. The Butterfly is more complicated but very adjustable once you figure it out. Does the Gemini have a similar pouch inside? If so, I think it may be the best of both worlds.

Thank you- I don't know what the pouch is so I will have to look online and see if it has one or not. Thank you so much.

[BabyBearsMom]

I wore my DD starting at 2 weeks with the Ergo and infant insert (I had a c-section so couldn't wear her until I healed). It was wonderful! So comfortable and DD loved it. My DH still wears DD on his back now and she is 29 lbs! DD still loves snuggling in close.

I am not a fan of the out-facing baby because I think it causes extra strain on your back. It is much more comfortable to have them facing you and more natural for your body IMO. My DD never felt deprived by not being able to look around. She was happy to look to the side and snuggle up with mom. I really hate Bjorns, and find them extremely uncomfortable.

[mommylamb]

I really disliked my bjorn. By the time DS was 3 months old, it hurt my back too much to use it. I got an ergo when he was about 9 months old and used it for a long time.

This time around, I want to get a moby wrap for when DS2 is a little. I do not own the ergo infant insert, so I can't use my ergo until he gets older anyway, and I'd rather get the moby than buy the insert I think. I'm actually hoping to borrow one anyway.

[lizzywednesday]

I haven't tried the Gemini, it came out after I bought my others and I've resisted shopping for more. If its like the Butterfly, it would be good to use alone because its easier to get into a back carry. The Butterfly is more complicated but very adjustable once you figure it out. Does the Gemini have a similar pouch inside? If so, I think it may be the best of both worlds.

No, the Gemini is kind of like what could happen if an Ergo and a Bjorn had a baby. Easy-to-use carrier, includes a forward facing-out position and can do hip & back carries; built-in support belt (like the Ergo or Boba) but narrow base where baby sits (like the Bjorn, but not as crotch-dangly because it's a bit wider than the Bjorn is); criss-cross straps for front carries (like the Bjorn) ... make sense?

There's no pocket/pouch like the Butterfly, but there are cincher cords that can shorten the body to kind of make a pouch for Baby to sit in when he/she is itty-bitty, but it's not like the built-in infant insert of the Butterfly.

It's a great carrier anyway, IMO, and if I were in the market for a new SSC, it would be on my shortlist. My DD and I tried it last fall and she snuggled right in like it was our trusty Ergo!

[acmom]

I had the Bjorn Active with my first and got very little use out of it. She was little and not big enough for it at first (the minimum weight was 8 lbs I think) and then I only used it comfortably for a month or so, and then it killed my back. With my second, I really want to be able to wear him so I could have my hands free for my toddler, so I tried a few other carriers at a local store. I tried the Ergo, Pikkolo, and Beco Gemini. They were all more supportive than my Bjorn. The Beco Gemini was the most comfortable for me and my baby. I liked all the different positions options too. He was early and tiny when he was born too, but the Gemini said it could even be used with preemies. It was still comfortable to wear him at 15 months. It has great back support and is really easy to use. There was no insert needed at any point and I used it comfortably all through the summer as long as I dressed both of us lightly. I wish I had had it for my 1st!

[CKfamily]

First time posting (our baby is due in February)...

We are also deciding on a carrier, and it seems that one of the primary complaints for the Bjorn is the lack of lower back support. On that note, has anyone tried the newest Bjorn (Miracle)? It definitely seems to have addressed the issue of back support.

Another complaint for the Bjorn that we've seen is that it only lasts up until 26 pounds. It seems that this is still the case for the Miracle Bjorn, while the ERGO states a 45 pound limit. Is this correct? Any experience here?

Finally, we like that the Bjorn can be used without an insert from infancy, but some people say that the ERGO requires a newborn insert and others don't. I'm assuming this is just based on the baby's size? or are there other factors to consider?

[lowrioh]

Another complaint for the Bjorn that we've seen is that it only lasts up until 26 pounds. It seems that this is still the case for the Miracle Bjorn, while the ERGO states a 45 pound limit. Is this correct? Any experience here?

Finally, we like that the Bjorn can be used without an insert from infancy, but some people say that the ERGO requires a newborn insert and others don't. I'm assuming this is just based on the baby's size? or are there other factors to consider?

My Ergo has a 40 pound limit listed and I have carried a 45 pound 3 year old in it just to see if it actually worked and it didn't hurt my back or shoulders. (although I wouldn't want to do that for any length of time :))

You can use the Ergo without the insert but you have to put the baby in side saddle rather than have them straddle the front flap. You can either put them in like a frog and have their legs tucked up into the pouch or you can use a blanket to wrap them up...there are youtube video's explaining how to do it. The pouch width is just too big for a newborn's legs to straddle.

[lizzywednesday]

First time posting (our baby is due in February)...

We are also deciding on a carrier, and it seems that one of the primary complaints for the Bjorn is the lack of lower back support. On that note, has anyone tried the newest Bjorn (Miracle)? It definitely seems to have addressed the issue of back support.

Another complaint for the Bjorn that we've seen is that it only lasts up until 26 pounds. It seems that this is still the case for the Miracle Bjorn, while the ERGO states a 45 pound limit. Is this correct? Any experience here?

Finally, we like that the Bjorn can be used without an insert from infancy, but some people say that the ERGO requires a newborn insert and others don't. I'm assuming this is just based on the baby's size? or are there other factors to consider?

Here's the biggest drawback of a front-carry only carrier, in my opinion - it's a one-trick pony and that shortens the lifespan regardless of how (allegedly) supportive the carrier is supposed to be.

In my experience, a larger baby on your front messes with your center of gravity, especially if you wear the baby forward-facing-out (FFO) because Baby then leans further forward. If you're a bigger person, like me, you might be able to wear a front-carry carried up to the 26 lbs "limit" but, then again, you might not, depending on how Baby is situated.

If you get something like the Pikkolo (with support belt!), Beco Gemini, Beco Butterfly II or ErgoBaby, it has a longer lifespan because you can put Baby on your back once they've got good head control.

Frankly, we had a wrap-carrier and the Ergo when my DD was a newborn. I found the wrap a TON easier to use (even out in public; I could wrap it in a windy NJ parking lot within 15 seconds) with a floppy-headed newborn than it was to figure out the infant insert for my Ergo. A local babywearing group helped me learn how to use the insert, but by then the weather had changed over from cool-to-cold to warm-to-hot and I didn't get any use out of it as my wrap is a woven wrap (EllaRoo brand) and much cooler in warmer weather.

Despite that limitation in the early days, however, I'm still using the Ergo with my DD now ... and she'll be 2 this March. We just got back from a week-and-a-half vacation at my ILs' 2nd home where I used the Ergo for everything except one trip to the mall where we used the cheap stroller we keep out there. (I hate the stroller.)

I've worn DD in our Ergo to TRU on "Gray Thursday", in the PHX Zoo, through two airports, in NYC on the subway, the grocery store and church. The versatility and higher weight limit of the carrier was a huge attraction for putting it on my registry ... and the local babywearers helped me learn to get DD up on my back solo. (I've had folks offer to help get her up and I've politely declined because, regardless of how it looks while I'm getting her into the rig, I can do it in less than 30 seconds if nobody's in my way.)

I've been thinking about the Gemini as another SSC option, though it's got a lower weight limit (35 lbs vs. 40 or whatever of the Ergo), because it's got a FFO option, though I'm not 100% sure I'd need that. My other consideration would be the Pikkolo (my babywearing group likes the wider base of the Pikkolo better than the Gemini) with the support belt. I'd have to try a Butterfly on to see if it was comfy - they tend to be recommended more for more petite mamas, so it kind of put me off them.

Hope that helps put things in perspective for you!

[BayGirl2]

Here's the biggest drawback of a front-carry only carrier, in my opinion - it's a one-trick pony and that shortens the lifespan regardless of how (allegedly) supportive the carrier is supposed to be.

In my experience, a larger baby on your front messes with your center of gravity, especially if you wear the baby forward-facing-out (FFO) because Baby then leans further forward. If you're a bigger person, like me, you might be able to wear a front-carry carried up to the 26 lbs "limit" but, then again, you might not, depending on how Baby is situated.

If you get something like the Pikkolo (with support belt!), Beco Gemini, Beco Butterfly II or ErgoBaby, it has a longer lifespan because you can put Baby on your back once they've got good head control.
....

:yeahthat: My 2.5 year old is 25 lbs and there is no way ever he would fit physically in a Bjorn or that I would wear him on my front. It would be really straining on the back. However we still wear him on our backs in the Pikkolo or Beco Butterfly II. We switched to back carries around 15-18 lbs, but from what I've heard few people could even tolerate a Bjorn up to that weight.

Even for a little baby I personally wouldn't get a Bjorn, I just don't like the dangliness of it. I used the Beco with DD starting at 2 weeks and she's nice and secure with her legs tucked against my body in a seated position, no pressure on her crotch.

The Bjorns are still pretty expensive for such short use. IMO if you are going to spend the money on a carrier, get a good one that does more than just a front facing dangle. You'll get more use for your money, spare your back, and it will have more resale value down the line (if that matters to you).

[CKfamily]

All great advice. I think we'll try a few of them on. It's a good point that only being able to use the carrier until 26 pounds is a bit short considering how much we're spending on it.

[lizzywednesday]

All great advice. I think we'll try a few of them on. It's a good point that only being able to use the carrier until 26 pounds is a bit short considering how much we're spending on it.

Glad we could help.

Thinking about longevity is a big deal and if you check out the message boards at The Babywearer (thebabywearer.com) you can usually find babywearing groups in your area.

I am very fortunate to be near a very active, very knowledgeable group with a decent-sized library of great carriers. They will let group members borrow them for a month with a nominal fee ($5) ... I borrowed a Boba over the summer and my nephew loved it!

[CKfamily]

I think we've decided to go with the Pikkolo. Too bad it's sold out on Amazon right now.

[lizzywednesday]

I think we've decided to go with the Pikkolo. Too bad it's sold out on Amazon right now.

There are plenty of other vendors who sell that carrier for a decent price, and have free shipping (assuming you are in the US) ... like QuirkyBaby here in NJ (www.quirkybaby.com (http://www.quirkybaby.com)) or FrogMama.

[BayGirl2]

I think we've decided to go with the Pikkolo. Too bad it's sold out on Amazon right now.

Great choice. Very easy to use and lasts a long time, we love ours.

I got mine from ThePortableBaby and there are many other sites that sell them. Weird that Amazon is sold out.

[CKfamily]

We'll probably just get it from one of the other websites, it's on our registry at the moment in case it ends up becoming available on Amazon.

Great recommendations, thanks!

[peanut520]

Ergo for sure!
I like the moby wrap for newborns :)

:yeahthat:

we like the slings too since it was easy to throw into a diaper bag for outings. Hated the bjorn.