Ergo Baby Carrier

Our first baby carrier purchase occurred 6 years ago with the birth of our first child. Back then, the "best" baby carrier available was the Baby Bjorn. This carrier worked fine for the limited use it had, but after wearing it for any amount of time I could feel muscle strain in my upper back. Times have changed, and now there are many more baby carrier options available. After moving out here to Manhattan, I knew we were going to have to re-evaluate our baby carrier decision, due to how much use it was going to get with baby #3. When it comes to climbing in and out of subways (or in and out of taxis) life is so much easier with out having to deal with a stroller. So we were on the hunt for a durable, comfortable carrier-and we found it in the Ergo. These carriers are amazing. The "beauty" of these carriers comes from the way the carrier distributes the weight of the baby. In most carriers, you carry the baby essentially with your shoulders. With this carrier, the baby's weight is mostly carried by your hips, which makes the load much easier to bear. The shoulder straps are very cushioned and do not dig into your shoulders. The band that goes around your waist is actually a fabric covered piece of neoprene-very comfortable. One of my favorite things about this carrier is that you can carry your baby in 3 positions: on your front, on your back, or on your side. My son is now 17 months old and he loves the back position. What child doesn't like a piggy-back ride from mom or dad? The material is a very durable cotton with almost a canvas-like feel to it. There is a pouch in the front which is big enough to hold a diaper, a small bag of wipes, my keys and my wallet. So, you can really leave the diaper bag at home for quick trips out in the Ergo. There is a piece of fabric that you can snap into place if your child falls asleep in the carrier, to stabilize his/her head. You can also use this fabric for extra privacy if you choose to nurse while wearing the Ergo. One thing that is really touted by the Ergo company is that this carrier is better for your baby. They claim that the "sitting" position your child is in while using the Ergo, is better for your baby's spinal development than the traditional "hanging" version used in the Bjorn. I am not sure of the validity of this statement, but I will say my son seems more comfortable in the Ergo. The Ergo carrier is around 92$, which is a little steep, but when you consider that it carries up to 90 lbs, you will still be able to carry your child in it when they are in middle school :). Joking aside, I have friends who have carried their 2 and 3-year-olds in this while they have gone hiking. So, you are going to get a lot of mileage out of this, especially if you plan to have more than one child.
The only down side to the Ergo really is that it isn't the most "attractive" carrier out there. The shoulder straps are big and bulky (which also makes them quite comfortable), and not the most stylish option. If this is a big concern for you there is the Beco Carrier as an option as well. Similar in functionality to the Ergo, but with a lot more color/pattern options, and a $125 price tag to boot.
You can purchase the Ergo Carrier at Amazon, BabyCenter or at the Ergo website.