Buying tips for travelers: As you travel with your child, having a comfortable carrier, wrap or sling can make a tremendous difference in your ability to sightsee and explore a variety of changing terrain. As well, wearing your child close to you can give you both confidence as you explore unfamiliar territory, like crowded markets, busy train stations, and subway systems. Yet which child carrier, wrap, or sling is right for you at home and as you travel may change by the destination--and by the pound as your child grows. Truth is, there are not very many carriers that work well for newborns and very small infants, and aside from the framed backpack carriers, there are few that will be comfortable to wear for long periods once your child reaches 20 lbs. Your size and stature, and your partner's who might be sharing the carrier with you, can also make a difference in what works best for you. With all of these points in mind, here are some of Shelly's top-recommended child carriers for traveling parents. (More coming soon!)
Why Shelly Rivoli recommends it:
While the Ergo carrier costs more than most other soft child carriers and slings, it may be one of your most travel-friendly options overall. You may also be able to use it far longer than other models since you can start using it with your infant and most parents can continue to use it comfortably through 2 years. Use the Ergo to wear your child on your front or back (or side, but we found front or back preferable). Many parents who hoped to use it right away with the infant insert weren't happy with it for their newborns (be aware), but most parents find it quite comfortable to use from babyhood through toddlerhood, and some even use it beyond as a backpack carrier. The padded shoulder straps and hip belt, combined with a chest strap, give the support you would want carrying a 20 lb. or 25 lb. pack on a hike, and the "kid compartment" is snug against the parent whether on the front or back (or side), with no fabric between the two. This makes it easy to gage your child's temperature--and even breastfeed on the go. We also really appreciate the straps adjusting fairly easily to accommodate two parents of very different sizes, and the extra pockets and hidden sun hood / head holder come in very handy, too. The Ergo does not allow you to wear your child facing out, however, though many children seem to enjoy seeing the world from a "hug" position as when worn on the front or a piggy back position on the back--however, a precious few will tire of turning their necks to see everything from the side and may not ride as contently in the Ergo for extended periods of hiking and sightseeing. Getting your child onto your back also requires a little practice and is definitely easier as your child gets bigger and sturdier (and can stand on a chair while you load her), but it is doable with a baby as the video will show you. For no internal frame, it is surprisingly supportive, and it folds up small enough to travel in most diaper bags.
Why Shelly Rivoli recommends it:
While the Ergo carrier costs more than most other soft child carriers and slings, it may be one of your most travel-friendly options overall. You may also be able to use it far longer than other models since you can start using it with your infant and most parents can continue to use it comfortably through 2 years. Use the Ergo to wear your child on your front or back (or side, but we found front or back preferable). Many parents who hoped to use it right away with the infant insert weren't happy with it for their newborns (be aware), but most parents find it quite comfortable to use from babyhood through toddlerhood, and some even use it beyond as a backpack carrier. The padded shoulder straps and hip belt, combined with a chest strap, give the support you would want carrying a 20 lb. or 25 lb. pack on a hike, and the "kid compartment" is snug against the parent whether on the front or back (or side), with no fabric between the two. This makes it easy to gage your child's temperature--and even breastfeed on the go. We also really appreciate the straps adjusting fairly easily to accommodate two parents of very different sizes, and the extra pockets and hidden sun hood / head holder come in very handy, too. The Ergo does not allow you to wear your child facing out, however, though many children seem to enjoy seeing the world from a "hug" position as when worn on the front or a piggy back position on the back--however, a precious few will tire of turning their necks to see everything from the side and may not ride as contently in the Ergo for extended periods of hiking and sightseeing. Getting your child onto your back also requires a little practice and is definitely easier as your child gets bigger and sturdier (and can stand on a chair while you load her), but it is doable with a baby as the video will show you. For no internal frame, it is surprisingly supportive, and it folds up small enough to travel in most diaper bags.
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We just love our Ergo. Don't know how we got along without it. Thank you mom for the wonderful gift
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