Reader Question: Ergo Baby Carriers and Hot Weather
This is a reader question from Krista who will be traveling to Italy with her young during the heat of summer.
First off, I want to THANK YOU! for your website. I am going to Italy this July for a medical conference (my son has a genetic disorder) and was going to leave him at home for fear of traveling with him. But after reading your site (everyone else told me it was impossible) he and I will now be jet-setting!
I currently have a Bjorn carrier and while it's fine for random outings at home, I don't think my back will hold up on a longer trip like Italy. I've been looking at the Ergo & it seems great, but is it breathable? We're going in July & I'm just worried he and I will roast! Also- never used a back carrier before, he likes to face out currently- wont I be blocking his views?
Krista,
Overall I have been really happy with the comfort of the Ergo Baby Carrier. I carried D in it until she was just over 2 years old, and she enjoyed riding in both the back and the front. If I hadn't become pregnant with Baby3, we might have used it longer.
That said, with the Ergo, your baby rests against your clothing and skin. Italy in July can be quite hot, and I think that carrying a baby in the front in that heat would be uncomfortable. Carrying baby on the back is somewhat better, and most children are happy to turn their head from side to side to see the view.
Another alternative is to get a true backpack carrier with a frame that lifts the baby away from your body. For hiking, we own and like the REI Piggyback Child Carrier. It is significantly bulkier than the Ergo, and would probably only be an option if you plan to leave your stroller at home. One nice thing about this type of carrier is that you can remove it from your back without waking a sleeping child. It can also double as a child-seat in a restaurant that does not have highchairs (most restaurants in Italy do not).
An in-between option is this Deuter Kangakid Kid Carrier Pack It keeps baby away from your skin (keeping you cooler) but is not much more bulky than a standard daypack. It also has a built in backpack to carry your gear as you visit the country.
One final note - Roman streets are notoriously tough on strollers. Our Maclaren stroller held up well, but the inexpensive umbrella strollers that people usually recommend for travel often rattle themselves to oblivion on Italy's cobblestone streets.
Have a wonderful trip!
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4 comments |
Posted on May 18, 2009 |
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Comments
Tamara on May 18, 2009 at 2:11 a.m.
I am a huge Ergo fan - my son Tom refused to sit in a stroller from about 1 year old and so the Ergo was my saviour - he loves being up high and close to me and it doesn't obscure his view at all.
Having said that - I haven't tried the more structured back packs as I always thought they were far too bulky to carry around and pack.
Joseph Rooney on May 18, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
We love our Ergo. Best carriers on the market
Madonnalisa Chan on May 18, 2009 at 12:31 p.m.
I've been carrying my daughter in an Ergo since she was maybe a month old and she's 18mo. So I carried her in the front until she hit around 20lbs(1yo) and she likes riding on my back. I'm totally interested in the backpack one for day trips in big cities. And looking into Sherpani brand of carriers(since I'm pretty short, made for women) She also is starting to really dislike being in the stroller.
Laurel McCarthy on June 15, 2009 at 9:55 a.m.
Hey, just wanted to mention that ERGO has come out with a new Sport version that is much more breathable than the original! It's made of a light, wicking material, and it has a vent to keep baby even cooler.
It's always hot to carry your child in the heat, but back carries are usually cooler than front carries, and hip carries are another great option.