There are tons of sites about baby wearing and a bazillion slings, wraps, and carriers. Though I bought a jogger type of stroller for all day outings, I knew that I wanted to carry my baby for shorter outings like trips to the grocery store, so I bought a Karma Baby Carrier Sling online while I was pregnant. I did use it, but over all that before baby purchase was a mistake. It didn’t fit us well and I wound up using it only on our few restaurant outings. I had her in my lap while I ate and the sling simply kept her from rolling off. It was wholly uncomfortable to walk around with her in the sling because I wound up walking as if I was pregnant again. My sling wasn’t adjustable at all because all the slings with tie, wrap, hoop ring adjustments looked like one needed to be a Navy Seal knot tying expert to use and I suck ass at knot tying.
My baby shower doubled as Kurt’s birthday party and he received a Snuglie baby carrier made by Evenflo. It didn’t fit him at all. I found it comfortable for short periods, but it was difficult for me to get Sophia in and out of it. Sophia didn’t like it especially when I tried facing her out, but I used it for my grocery trips until she was big enough to sit in a grocery cart on her own with a cover. It wasn’t comfortable at all when she was old enough to sit on her own, so I stopped using it. By the way the Snuglie looks and functions very much like the BABYBJÖRN, but costs A LOT less. I’m just sayin’.
At that point I stared using an simple umbrella stroller for quick shopping needs at places without shopping carts, but then I found the Ergo baby carrier. Something about it made me think, “This is the one”, but because the other two products didn’t work out, I wanted to try this one on in person. I went to their site and found a retailer near me. It turned out that the place I chose was also a chiropractor’s office. Talk about a great endorsement. They let me try on the Ergo and helped me fit it right. I was sold. It’s an awesome carrier and well worth the price.
Infants cannot be carried front facing with the Ergo, but Sophia never liked that anyway. She prefers to face me and know that I’m right there. An infant insert can be purchased for use with newborns which sort of turns the Ergo into a sort of sling. Older babies can be worn on the hip or on the back, which makes the Ergo last into toddler hood. I LOVE my Ergo! It’s so comfortable and for me it’s so much easier than a stroller that I use it for all day outings. It’s awesome. Did I mention that I love it? 
November 10th, 2008 at 7:57pm
My “baby” is 27 years old and I can say they didn’t have nearly all the cool stuff for moms back then like they do these days.
Skittless latest blog post… Heads Or Tails #64 - Where *or* Wear
November 10th, 2008 at 9:36pm
I’m all for baby carrying but my kids never were…
That carrier sounds awesome!
MommyWizdoms latest blog post… You know you’re a Twitter junkie when
November 10th, 2008 at 10:44pm
Yes, but how do you feel about it? Because you know those first two products didn’t work out… *giggle*
Darnit. I have been lugging my cousin’s kids so much the last couple of weeks, my arms could use a break. Maybe I should get one.
smarmoofuss latest blog post… Heads or Tails: Tails - Where
November 11th, 2008 at 6:37am
I see on your sidebar that it’s 95 days to go….how exciting…..your life will never be the same. Heck, you can count on it…I am a grandmother now, tell me about life changing. LOL
My HoT is posted, all about Veteran’s Day and the last one —one sweetheart I lost to the Viet Nam War. Come by, won’t you? Happy Tuesday to you.
November 11th, 2008 at 6:57am
That is such good info and might save someone from wasting their money. Kudos!
November 11th, 2008 at 12:05pm
I carried my babies around in a harness on my back or in a halter device wherein I could breast feed while walking about and still maintain some privacy, Unfortunately my back now is telling me off for carrying them around so much.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:47pm
I love the title! Sounds like a good choice of carrier to me - I’ll check it out.
Tumblewordss latest blog post… Paradox Haiku
November 11th, 2008 at 5:51pm
This blogs like an Info-mercial
November 11th, 2008 at 6:58pm
We had some kind of baby sling when my kids were little, but it wasn’t very good. My husband carried our son all day at the zoo when he was a couple months old. It was much better than a stroller because it was a very chilly day, and he was much warmer that way. I never really used it much.
November 13th, 2008 at 2:53pm
I have a sling and used it a bunch when Justin was little, but not really now. I used to have a Bjorn but lent it out before I was even pregnant the second time and never got it back. When I used it with Gavin I remember it hurting my back. I do a lot of things with Gavin where I can’t use the stroller for Justin (think preschool Halloween party in a tiny little school house). Where did you go to get your Ergo? I’d like to check it out and all I came up with on the site were stores. I like the idea of a chiropractor’s office helping me fit the thing, but I’m afraid of what theyr’e going to say about my crazy back.
Sarahs latest blog post… So Profound
November 13th, 2008 at 10:02pm
Hootin’ Anni - The 95 days is for a friend of mine.
I know it’s almost Friday, but I’m making my rounds and I’ll be at your blog soon.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:32pm
Anna - Yeah that’s one thing I like about baby slings/carriers. I like to put the carrier on under my jacket and then zip it up over the baby to keep her warm. They also aren’t so cumbersome like strollers. The drawback how hard it can be finding one that fits properly and is easy to use.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:37pm
G-Man - It wasn’t *that* bad, was it? The difference is I don’t blog for money. Whatever I promote is because I actually use it and like it enough to pass it on. I have had some manufacturers contact me after the fact for blog giveaways though.