Thursday, March 20, 2008
BabyHawk vs. Ergo
Now that the weather is starting get a little closer to what one would consider "spring" to look like, we're thinking about getting out a little more, being more active, and enjoying the outdoors. Families are looking at investing in a carrier for the months ahead, and one question I get asked quite frequently is whether I would recommend an Ergo Baby Carrier versus a BabyHawk Mei Tai. There are a few things to consider when choosing one of these two carriers:
How old and how big is your baby?
Most carriers are rated for use with children up to 35 pounds. The Ergo is rated to 40+ pounds. This is also the weight limit that most parents feel is the maximum they are willing to carry, and by the time most children reach 35 pounds, they are, for the most part, able to walk longer distances or are riding in a stroller more frequently. If your baby is a newborn, my recommendation falls immediately to the BabyHawk because of the "built-in" head support available, whereas you will require the additional infant insert to use the Ergo safely with a baby who has not yet developed head and neck control.
How long will you be wearing your baby?
If you will be wearing your baby for shorter periods: for example while doing housework, short trips to the bus stop, etc., the BabyHawk may be a more versatile choice. I personally find it easier to put my son on my back by myself with the BabyHawk because of the long straps than with the Ergo. However, if your child is heavier/older, and you will be wearing your baby for more than an hour on a frequent basis - for long walks, hiking, etc., most families find the Ergo more comfortable over the long term for this type of use.
The Ergo has thicker padding in the shoulder straps, and the design does distribute the weight of the baby into your hips more than the BabyHawk mei tai. An Ergo is also generally more "dad-friendly" - dads like the mainstream look of it and the backpack-style adjustments mean that there is very little learning curve.
Because the Ergo has slightly more generous padding than the BabyHawk, an Ergo will take you well into the toddler years (I can still wear my daughter, at nearly three years old in the Ergo, but it's a little less comfortable in the BabyHawk because of her length). I also find that if I plan to be wearing the carrier for more than an hour, the Ergo is more comfortable on my shoulders. I do still love my BabyHawk, but if I am going out for a long walk and have the choice, I will generally take the Ergo. If I need to wear my son around the house while I'm mopping, etc., then I will tie on my BabyHawk.
Seaonality
Although we're coming in to spring, quite often I have found it easier to tie on a mei tai around my bulkily-dressed baby and self, than to wriggle into an Ergo over my winter coat.
The Ergo Baby Carriers will be restocked in a matter of days for Spring, including the new Organic Ergo Baby Carriers in beautiful chocolate brown and forest green!Labels: BabyHawk, carriers, Ergo
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