My Ergo Carrier
While I was still pregnant, I was thinking about baby slings/carriers. I wanted a carrier that would be worth having, so that I can get things done while carrying the baby around too...when I've got to homeschool three other children, it is going to be a necessity to be able to do that! 
I've bought many slings/carriers/etc in the past that have put way too much strain on my shoulders and back, and i usually just give up using them because they are so uncomfortable to me.
I happened to be on the Duggar Family website one day, and noticed that the carrier that Michelle Duggar uses is the Ergo brand, and she recommends it on her site. Surely out of anyone, she would know what feels the most comfortable and works the best. If I am going to take the recommendation from anyone, it would be a woman with 19 kids!
The Ergo carrier is pretty expensive...I ended up spending $105.00 for the carrier itself, and then another $25.00 for the infant insert. You can use the carrier until the baby is 40 pounds so I thought it would be worth it if it works as well as the website's video makes it sound. You can carry the baby on your hip, back, or front (unless they're a newborn of course).
I was so pleasantly surprised by how this carrier feels when you put it on. I've worn it with Ian several times now when we go to town, or just walking around the house. There is almost NO pressure on my shoulders- all of the weight is on my hips, where it should be. The carrier supports my back and is very, very comfortable. The baby feels weightless in it, and I can bend over and do all of the things I need to do without feeling like the baby is going to fall out. He's very secure in there. And I have two free hands!
I can also breastfeed him while wearing the carrier and it isn't even noticeable- so I could be in the store feeding him and no one would ever be able to tell. That will make life so much easier, since I used to have to stop everything and make a trip to the bathroom to feed the baby (when I was grocery shopping or out with my other babies).
Here is how easy it is to put on the Ergo carrier (I had some people on Facebook asking about how it works).... once you have the shoulder straps adjusted right, you just snap the hip strap around your waist, and make sure it's secure.
Once it's secure, let the front part of the carrier hang down until you're ready for the baby...
You put the baby on the infant insert like this...
Then, fold up the sides and lift the baby, placing him in the cradle position across your chest. Then lift up the strap on the side where his feet are and put it over your shoulder...
Then just snap the back, and you're done!
The baby is so secure in there, and usually just sleeps and makes cute baby sounds while i walk around.
When he gets hungry, I just adjust the infant insert, and pull the covering over the top of his head (it snaps into place), and voila, I can get things done and feed him at the same time! So easy!
I highly recommend this carrier to anyone who has a baby. Here is a video that shows a little more information on how to use the carrier with the insert..
I've bought many slings/carriers/etc in the past that have put way too much strain on my shoulders and back, and i usually just give up using them because they are so uncomfortable to me.
I happened to be on the Duggar Family website one day, and noticed that the carrier that Michelle Duggar uses is the Ergo brand, and she recommends it on her site. Surely out of anyone, she would know what feels the most comfortable and works the best. If I am going to take the recommendation from anyone, it would be a woman with 19 kids!
The Ergo carrier is pretty expensive...I ended up spending $105.00 for the carrier itself, and then another $25.00 for the infant insert. You can use the carrier until the baby is 40 pounds so I thought it would be worth it if it works as well as the website's video makes it sound. You can carry the baby on your hip, back, or front (unless they're a newborn of course).
I was so pleasantly surprised by how this carrier feels when you put it on. I've worn it with Ian several times now when we go to town, or just walking around the house. There is almost NO pressure on my shoulders- all of the weight is on my hips, where it should be. The carrier supports my back and is very, very comfortable. The baby feels weightless in it, and I can bend over and do all of the things I need to do without feeling like the baby is going to fall out. He's very secure in there. And I have two free hands!
I can also breastfeed him while wearing the carrier and it isn't even noticeable- so I could be in the store feeding him and no one would ever be able to tell. That will make life so much easier, since I used to have to stop everything and make a trip to the bathroom to feed the baby (when I was grocery shopping or out with my other babies).
Here is how easy it is to put on the Ergo carrier (I had some people on Facebook asking about how it works).... once you have the shoulder straps adjusted right, you just snap the hip strap around your waist, and make sure it's secure.
Once it's secure, let the front part of the carrier hang down until you're ready for the baby...
You put the baby on the infant insert like this...
Then, fold up the sides and lift the baby, placing him in the cradle position across your chest. Then lift up the strap on the side where his feet are and put it over your shoulder...
Then just snap the back, and you're done!
The baby is so secure in there, and usually just sleeps and makes cute baby sounds while i walk around.
When he gets hungry, I just adjust the infant insert, and pull the covering over the top of his head (it snaps into place), and voila, I can get things done and feed him at the same time!
So easy! I highly recommend this carrier to anyone who has a baby. Here is a video that shows a little more information on how to use the carrier with the insert..
I LOOOOOVE my Ergo! I got mine through www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com, where they offer a money back guarantee, and they also sometimes sell "used" ones - mine barely seemed used at all! (you can see them www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com/used.html">here.)
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I can't believe how amazing you look so soon after having the baby!
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You look AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
When you get time, update us on how the end of the pregnancy went as far as the gestational diabetes and the Karen Hurd diet. My thoughts have been with you on that, hoping you were able to handle the situation your way and avoid the insulin.
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@L.C.T.
I was thinking the same thing - how great Bethany looks!!!
Wow, didn't you just give birth??? You look great! (I did not look like this at all....
Hope you are enjoying your baby.
May God bless you.
ANN
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I *love* my Ergo. I'm so glad you found yours. I nearly got an infant insert for my baby (now almost 1 year old), but I used a Moby wrap that I already had. You will use it so much! My husband even has his own. I got mine when my 7 year old was 15 months old and have only had a short break in using mine.
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I found my Ergo on craigs list...for $75 I think. I never bought an infant insert...I just swaddled my newborns and put them in upright. I have to say that I prefer my Maya wrap/sling for the first little while because for one, sitting down with the Ergo is not comfortable and having just had a baby, you don't want to be on your feet all the time and homeschooling a few other kiddos, you're up and down between chorse and sitting next to someone to help them. Also, a sling is quicker to put on/off, get situated, etc. Which, when they're newborn to about 2-3 months is pretty important to me. Also, in the sling, I can put them over to one side while i'm doing something but with the Ergo they're RIGHT in front, a little in the way. However, about 4 months the Ergo becomes my lifeline. At that point they start riding my back in the Ergo. It's WONDERFUL because you're not having to reach around the baby to wash dishes, fold laundry, iron, etc (not that you would want to iron with a baby on the front). You can do so many things with the baby behind you, out of the way and yet happy and conforted that they're with mommy. It's wonderful for grocery shopping, a trip to the park...ANYTHING where you're not going to be sitting (again, it's not great for sittingwether it's on the front or back). Another perk is that you can wear it and your current baby (on your back)almost right up to your due date when pg. I think I stopped about 3 weeks before I had the next baby. I LOVE this carrier!! I hope to get a new one if we have another baby. This one has been going strong for nearly 3 years and 3 babies, used almost continuously!!
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Here I am almost 55 years old and wishing I was at the stage of needing one of these carriers. This is going to be such a helpful thing you're passing along to all those young mom's out there! Wow, I'm going to keep this information so that I can pass it along to my daughter who is telling me I'll be having another grandchild! Thank you again, Bethany for such a useful tutorial too!
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Bethany you look AMAZING!
Thanks for the recommendation... I'll definitely keep this in mind for the future!
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Thank you all for the kind words!!
Amy (Mother of many), I will try to make a post to update about the gestational diabetes very soon! Thanks for asking!!
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That baby carrier looks so easy, thanks for the photos to show how easy it is to put on.
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