This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Andrea Toman for winning an ERGObaby Carrier!
I am happy and proud to describe myself as a baby-wearing mom. A lot has been written about the benefits of wearing your baby (Benefits of Baby Wearing from LLL and 10 Reasons to Wear Your Baby) and my desire was to be a ‘baby-wearer’ from the time my first was born, so I dutifully asked for and received a baby carrier and tried to wear my sweet baby from the beginning.
While I did use the baby carrier a lot, but I would not have classified myself as a baby wearer because that first carrier and others that followed, (you know the ones that you find at the local baby stores) just weren’t comfortable enough to allow me to wear my baby for long periods of time day-in and day-out.
8 1/2 months pregnant wearing 2 year old Nick
That continued until I was expecting our 8th baby and my mom purchased me an ERGObaby carrier. I was 7 1/2 months pregnant when I first wore one of my children in the ERGO and Savannah (then 16 months old) spent 2 1/2 happy hours while we shopped. No tired shoulders or sore neck, just a completely content little girl who enjoyed being so close to her mommy and a mommy who had discovered that baby wearing could be comfortable.
What is an ERGObaby Carrier?
An ERGObaby carrier is a soft frame baby carrier designed for use with babies with good head control (4-5 months) up to children around 40 pounds. (ERGO does provide an infant insert that enables you to wear your baby from birth through 4-5 months. I will be trying that accessory and telling you about it after our little one is born in July.)
The carrier has been tested safe up to 90 pounds, so really it’s for as long as both you and your baby are happy using it. We still wear our 3 1/2 year old and our 2 year old and yes, I am still wearing them even though I’m 8 1/2 months pregnant. However, I might encourage them to ask one of their siblings or their daddy to “ERGO” them.
The ERGO is designed to enable you to carry your baby in three different positions front, back or hip carry.
The ERGO is also equipped with a sleeping hood that supports the baby’s head when they are sleeping. Trust me, this is a wonderful and important feature, because the ERGO is one of our boys favorite places to nap when we are on the go.
What makes an ERGO different?
The ERGO was different from the other carriers that I had used in that the weight of the baby is carried on your waist, not your shoulders, back or neck. This is amazingly comfortable and Mark and I have carried our babies on 6 mile hikes over rocky terrain quite comfortably.
In whatever position you are wearing your baby, the baby faces you and conforms to the shape of your body. This not only makes the ERGO more comfortable, it also allows you to interact with your baby. Even when I’m wearing one of our boys in the back carry position (and can’t see their face) the interaction is sweet, they will rub my back, ask me to rub their legs and point out different items of interest as we walk along. And of course, when they are tired they will lean their head up against my back and go to sleep.
“The ergonomic design supports a correct sitting position for the baby’s hip, pelvis and spine growth. It disperses most of the baby’s weight between the hips and thighs and helps prevent compression of the spine.” This is much better for the babies growth and development than other carriers that dangle babies by their crotch.
Why we love our ERGO.
Need I say anything more? Our two youngest children, whom we call our ‘ERGO babies’, have had this reaction nearly every time we pull out our ERGO. Until just before his third birthday Colby would bring me the ERGO or ask me to “ERGO” him during that” tough-for-little-kids-time-of-day” while mom is getting dinner ready.
After 7 children I was finally a baby-wearing mom and our family has been reaping the benefits ever since. We no longer use our stroller, or have to leave a store because the baby is screaming. Our babies have been much more portable and adaptable to going and doing in different places at different times. Because they are able to comfortably nap in the ERGO it’s much easier to have a more flexible schedule without having a miserable little one.
We even used the ERGO to train one of our boys to sit still during church. From the time he was just a few months old we would simply put him in the ERGO at the beginning of the service and our hyper active, overly stimulated little one would calm down and eventually take his morning nap in the ERGO.
Isn't it beautiful?
As a mom of soon-to-be 10, there are very few things that I consider “necessary”, a good, quality baby carrier is one of those things, don’t settle for less, baby wearing doesn’t have to be painful or uncomfortable. It really is worth it to find a baby wearing product that you love, for our family the ERGO is one of those products.
Buy an ERGObaby Carrier.
You may purchase an ERGObaby carrier from between $105 and $148 at ERGObaby carrier.com.
Don’t forget to check out their infant inserts if you want to use it with a baby younger than 4 or 5 months, their practical front pouch, perfect for camera, keys and cell phone and other accessories!
Win an ERGObaby Carrier.
I’m thrilled that ERGObaby has offered to give one of my readers their very own ERGObaby carrier. Our family LOVES this carrier, we recommend it all the time and we firmly believe that it’s completely worth the investment.
To enter:
- Leave a comment on this post telling me about your baby wearing experience (or lack thereof).
Additional entries: (Please leave a comment for each additional entry.)
- Share a link to this giveaway on your Facebook page.
- Tweet about this giveaway and leave your Twitter ID.
- Post about this giveaway. (3 entries, leave a separate comment for each entry)
- “Like” or become a fan of Raising Olives on Facebook (or let me know that you already do).
Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents and will end at midnight on Thursday, June 24th.
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Hi, I'm Kimberly. 
Leaving a comment and entry for my wife, who knows that it’ll be tough for me to add another carrier to our collection. (We just found out we’re expecting our 4th…our carriers far out-number our children!)
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I shared the link on FB just now.
I love love love to baby-wear, also. Started at birth with a pouch, can’t wait till #2 is cooking so that I can authorize purchase of an ERGO (or win it!) or a Moby. I have always been eager to try on someone else’s baby carriers and haven’t used my *gasp* baby bjorn since kiddo #1 was about 10lbs
That was a while ago!
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Loved wearing my last 2 babies but my baby bjorn would hurt my shoulders and back after wearing an hour or less. Would love to try an ergo and have been wanting one!
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daily tweet-http://bit.ly/cfVfE6
madtownspriteatgmaildotcom
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Liked on FB, reposted on FB and leaving a comment here! Haven’t had the opportunity to use a carrier yet (my first was stillborn), but crossing my fingers for the future!
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I have a sling from a popular brand. It was fine (one at a time) until my twins were about 10 lbs, then they seemed uncomfortable. When I washed it, the fabric seemed to twist, so it got worse. The only thing I can think to do with it, now is to give it to someone smaller than me. Perhaps the slack will help with the problem.
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I love wearing my babies. Though it’s been 6 years since we’ve had a little one, so I’m starting all over again. I’d love to have an Ergo for our new baby!
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posted on facebook user knittingprose
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Liked on Facebook : )
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I want to win. I would love to be the grand prize winner! I really have been enjoying your website. Keep up the encouragement!
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Just became a fan on Facebook!
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http://homeschoolproject.blogspot.com/2010/06/hardly-homeschool-but-who-wouldnt-want.html
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#2 entry for post http://homeschoolproject.blogspot.com/2010/06/hardly-homeschool-but-who-wouldnt-want.html
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#3 entry for post http://homeschoolproject.blogspot.com/2010/06/hardly-homeschool-but-who-wouldnt-want.html
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twitter user knittingprose
thanks!
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We love ours but could use a second for my husband since we may soon have 2 little ones (we are in the adoption process)
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I liked you on Facebook
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I liknked to this giveaway on Facebook
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I have tried wearing all three of my boys (the youngest is 5 months) and, just like you said, I can’t quite consider myself a baby-wearing mom. The carriers we have had aren’t comfortable for longer than 30 minutes to an hour. I would love, love, love to have an ERGO that both baby and I would be comfy for longer periods of time!
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I haven’t had any baby-wearing experience – even with three littles. Hubby usually wears the little ones because the carrier we have just wasn’t working for me (the kiddos spend their time on my hip
). This ERGObaby carrier sounds great and would make outings so much easier!
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I tweeted about it! (buffaloesbw)
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I have four children and I have worn all of them. I can’t imagine parenting (especially more than one!) without babywearing.
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My tweet; http://twitter.com/HSlater351/status/16856154868
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I like you on FB.
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I tried to wear my son. He was wiggly from the moment we conceived, I think! He really didn’t like the sling carriers, that I had. I think He’d like the freedom of his limbs in the ergo
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I’m a fan of raising olives on FB
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While I would love to say I am a “baby wearing” mom…I can’t, yet! Everything I have tried is so hard on my shoulders and back that I give up after a month or two! With blessing #3 on the way I am praying to find a way to get an Ergo!
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tweet
http://twitter.com/mommyericae/status/16856351945
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I wear my 18 lb. 5 month old in a sling but it’s been killing my neck! The ERGO looks perfect!
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I have worn our three since each was born. I love a ring sling for when they are tiny, very easy to nurse in. We switch to a Patapum (similar to ERGO) when they have good head control. My husband has pretty much taken over the Patapum as his own so I don’t get to use it much. Also, I have a lot of back pain after wearing in the Patapum for a while and have to use the stroller more than I’d like. I’ve heard wonderful things about the ERGO and would love to have one. Our 2-yr-old, 7-mo-old, and new baby coming in December would all love it I’m sure!
(I also became a fan on Facebook)
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Would love an ergo carrier for our third baby! We’ve borrowed friends’ ergos to test them out and have really liked them. Need something to ease shoulder and neck pain experienced with last baby.
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My baby wearing experience is limited to slings. I would love to try an ERGO!
mommys3lilbirds@gmail.com
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I found once I had more than two kids, I needed to learn about baby wearing. Right now I just have a Hugamonky and have liked that, but it is limiting when and where it can be used. Ergos sound great!
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I linked on facebook
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I tweeted about it – @mrskatie
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I “like” you on facebook. (It would be awfully hard NOT to like Raising Olives
)
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I’d really like to “wear my baby” more than I wore the other 3. I’ve tried a couple different carriers, but they seem to hurt my back after a long time. This one sounds great and I’d love to give it a try.
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I tried babywearing with my youngest and was using a moby wrap. I loved wearing her but hated the wrap. It took to long to put on and the ends were always getting dirty when I was putting it on.
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I’d love to try an ERGO with my little one as my back sometimes gets tired. Praying for you!
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I tried the slings, not a fan of them. Had a hard time doing it right, and my little man hated it. I’m guessing others do it better because they are very popular.
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My friend recently bought and ERGO carrier to wear to the local homeschool conference and said it is the best (she has a lot of experience with 6 children). I am expecting our second this holiday season and would love to wear this one longer than I did the first (4 months). I have tried a MOBY and BJORN style carrier and struggled with back and shoulder pain, but from all the things I have heard this is the carrier to wear all day. I would love to win this carrier for our new little one, but I am sure whoever wins it will love the gift.
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With my oldest, I tried babywearing too late and she was too heavy and we never found the right carrier. With my next, I would like to start out wearing him or her and do it right.
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I’ve worn my 4 month old in a long fabric wrap since she was born. The constant physical connection with her is precious, and she is so content in it. She’ll go to sleep within seconds if I put her in when she’s fussy. I put her in a stroller for the first time two days ago because my back was sore, and it felt so strange to have her so distanced from me, to push her away from my body. Didn’t like it at all!
My 2 year old daughter, who we adopted when she was 15 months old, has been whiny and crabby recently, and I’m wondering if it’s partly adjustment to sharing me with her little sister, who she sees being worn close to my body every day. I’ve started to offer the mei tei to her to give her the chance to be close to me like her sister is, and she loves it. For some reason I’d never worn her before – I think I thought she was too big already when she first came to us – but even three minutes in it now is enough to help her feel more connected to me, and, I think, more secure.
But my back is starting to protest all this babywearing, and I’m interested in trying an Ergo.
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I posted this to facebook.
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I am pregnant with my 5th child. I have been interested in baby wearing but have never had a good carrier. I had a cheap one with my first child and it was awful so I gave hope. I have heard many good things about the ergo
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I haven’t had a lot of experience with baby wearing. I am a graduate student who nannies part time for a family with 2 (going on 3!) children. I used a Hotsling for the younger boy (now 14 months old) when he was an infant but that only worked until he was around 5 months. I then used a Bjorn, but that was hard on back/shoulders/etc.
I love the look of the Ergo. If I could have one now I could use it with the boys that I take care of now, and then keep it to use with my own children and/or give it away to someone that needs it. I often use public transportation and it would be very nice to be able to wear one child to keep them up out of harm’s way and minimize the use of a stroller – which is a real pain on the metro or bus. Buses make you take the child/ren out and fold it. Metro is often crowded and hard to maneuver even the smallest stroller around during peak times or tourist season.
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I am going to be heading into unchartered territory for us this fall when we have twins. We also have a 16 month old. Yikes. I tried the Moby, without success, and LOVE my Ergo. With three kids, another Ergo is a must as I won’t waste my time with anything else! Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
farrah dot ritter at gmail dot com
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Well my baby wearing experience didn’t go so well. The first time I tried to use one of those wraps that I think recently got recalled. I hated it. Then I just ended up with one of those generic kind you get at wally world. I would love to try an ergo.
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I’m already a fan of yours on FB.
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Linked the giveaway on my FB wall.
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