Although I’ve reviewed the first-generation ergobaby soft-structured carrier as well as a more recent third-generation ergobaby carrier (which also includes a dad’s perspective), the new Dewdrop colour was begging to be shown off, and I knew just the mom to give it a whirl. She received a Dewdrop ergobaby SSC in exchange for her honest review.
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Melanie is an east-end Toronto mommy of a soon-to-be six year old (whirling dervish) son and twin baby girls — 6 months old as I write this. I am a full time TV producer, when I’m not on maternity leave. I don’t have much free time on my hands at all right now, but if can I can score a few hours over a nice dinner and a bottle of wine with close friends — or even my dear husband — life is good! But then, after complaining that I never get time alone or away from the house, when I do….I MISS MY BABIES! (Crazy, right?!)
A bit about me: After giving birth to our first child, I was thrown for a loop because right away, I realized motherhood wasn’t as easy as my friends made it look…but they didn’t have colicky babies! The day my boy was born, the crying and screaming began. My son was verrrrrry colicky and this raged on for many, many, MANY months — nine to be exact (but who’s counting?). After battling some health issues of my own, it was time to dust myself off and start trying for a second child. This would prove to be yet another uphill battle. Getting pregnant and staying pregnant this time seemed impossible. I got pregnant the first cycle of trying with my first and now, cycle after cycle, it just wasn’t happening.
I decided to seek the help of a clinic for cycle monitoring; I didn’t want to use any fertility drugs or treatments because I was petrified of having multiples. After having one colicky baby and almost jumping off a bridge, I couldn’t fathom managing two!
Well, guess what? After more than a year of trying naturally, I finally got pregnant — with TWINS!
After getting over the shock, I started to think about all the extra STUFF we needed! Two of just about everything. We had a hand-me-down carrier, but what if both babies needed/wanted to be carried by a parent at the same time? We had heard good things about the ergobaby carriers from friends so, when given the opportunity to review one for Mommy Gearest, we jumped at it.
THE GOOD
I love the feel of the cotton and I love ergo’s designs — ours is “Dewdrop.” Grey with a striped hood, so nice and neutral.
I also love that it comes in organic cotton.
What’s also great about the ergobaby carrier is that it’s easy on the baby’s body; there’s no pressure on anything and they can sit in it pretty naturally from what I can tell.
I was worried about what appears to be a lack of lumbar back support because I do have a rotated pelvis and some lower back pain. That said, I can honestly say that so far, I’m very comfortable using the ergo carrier — probably because of the nice padding on the straps and the support around the waist.
I must admit, I’ve only used the ergobaby as a front carrier so far but you can eventually use it to carry your baby on the side (hip) or on your back. I will be experimenting with this soon. Give me time, people!
The other positive here is that this carrier can be used up until your baby is about 45 pounds! That’s called getting “bang for your buck.”
THE GAFFE
The ergobaby carrier was tricky for me to use on my own for the first several weeks. There is a learning curve — especially with the top clip. [Editor’s note: It shouldn’t take any more than two or three weeks to master the top clip closure; if you’re still having trouble, it could be positioned too low. Try moving it up closer to the nape of your neck. If you’re still finding it challenging, try to hit a store that specializes in babywearing and they should be able to help you troubleshoot.]
THE GEARS
4.5/5
So…where can you get it?
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