We tested the best baby carriers: is it worth buying an Ergobaby?
Is babywearing beneficial? And for the adult who carries? Are all baby carriers the same? If you have just had a child or are on the way, it is quite likely that these (and many other) questions will begin to haunt you. Portage has been in fashion for some time, although it is an ancient practice.
A car; a car seat; a crib or bassinet (have you thought about co-sleeping?); a changing table, a bag to transport the baby's essentials (that is, hordes of diapers, bibs, cloths, bottles, pacifiers, wipes...); bodysuits for any occasion; a breast pump; maybe a bathtub for newborns...
The list can be huge, and we all know that childcare items do not stand out for their low price. So, if you are considering joining the carrier, you should also have controlled its benefits and, of course, which are the best baby carriers for their value for money.
WHAT BENEFITS DOES THE PORTE HAVE FOR BABIES?...
According to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics there are many benefits for the baby.
A more secure attachment is promoted, which improves development and creates independent and secure adults.
Babies sleep better and in premature babies the kangaroo method offers great physical and emotional benefits.
It improves muscle tone and the physiological curvature of the back, as it protects its development.
It favors breastfeeding as it is so close to the area and milk production is increased.
It prevents postural plagiocephaly or head deformation because it does not spend as much time in the crib.
It favors a correct development of your hips.
They cry less, since they feel more protected, they suffer less from infant colic, they have less stress and a greater tolerance to pain, they expel gases better
... AND FOR ADULTS?
Autonomy and mobility are key. Keep in mind that the adult can move quite freely and do things while he is carrying her child. In addition, it can help cope with postpartum depression as it improves the mother's self-esteem because babies cry less and sleep better. It's not a bad thing for the back either. Of course, they must be used correctly, they must be ergonomic and approved.
And here we come in, we are not going to debate whether the baby carrier is vital or not, but we are going to try to find the best baby carrier for its value for money.
One of the most on the list of gifts for the baby shower is the Ergobaby. Four ergonomic carrying positions, for children up to 20 kilos, belt with lumbar support, padded and adjustable shoulder straps, breathable 3D Air Mesh material...
Its structured seat allows the natural posture of the baby (the famous frog position), it has neck protection and UV 50+ sun protection. You can put it in the washing machine without any problem (and luckily) and you have it available in different colors.
You can buy it here for 159.90 euros.
One of the drawbacks of the Ergobaby is its price, above 150 euros. For this reason, we have dived into Amazon in search of similar alternatives, with very good opinions but a much lower price (between 30 and 40 euros). There have been three: Lictin, Infantino and Eccomum. We have given them to three couples with children who already practice babywearing and who already have the famous Ergobaby. The assignment has been clear: Is it worth spending 150 euros or do cheaper alternatives also fulfill their function?
Lictin backpack, 34 euros
You can buy it here for 34.68 euros.
The first that we are going to evaluate is the Lictin backpack. Six positions, up to 20 kilos of weight, soft fabric to avoid friction, 3D mesh and breathable waist... A priori, the characteristics are similar to the Ergobaby, even this one wins for its 2 extra positions. It has a built-in hat to protect the baby from the sun, wind or rain and a chain to hang pacifiers or a small toy. It also thinks of the adult, because it has a side pocket to store your mobile phone or keys.
It has a padded seat and of course it can be adjusted and the weight is evenly distributed.
You can buy it here for 34.68 euros.
To find out its strengths and weaknesses, we give it to Natalia and Rudy, a couple with two daughters aged 2 years and 7 months (Sofía and Lily).
We have two little girls, one two years old and one five months old. Since our oldest (Sofia) was born, we have been OBSESSED with the Ergobaby backpack. I don't know what we would do without it, it's the only way we have to calm our girls down and make them fall asleep. The backpack has traveled with us to the US on our honeymoon, we have taken it on vacation to the beach, we have hiked in the mountains, we even use it in the kitchen while preparing dinner.
When we got ready to try a new backpack (Lictin brand) we took a very serious look at ourselves and thought: "It's impossible that we like it as much as the one we have". Starting with this feeling of owing our lives to Ergobaby, we have tried to make a review as objective as possible.
The first thing that caught our attention is that the material is much lighter than the Ergobaby. This is good, since when rolled up it is quite small and can even fit in your bag. We admit it, the Ergobaby takes up more space and is a hassle when you want to put it in a handbag and take it with you just in case. That said, the Lictin backpack material seems less durable.
When trying on the backpack we did not like the back support, it does not finish adapting to the waist. The backpack has a velcro and even using the smallest size it is still a bit big. This is a problem, because the goal of making it ergonomic is precisely that you can carry all your weight on your back.
The Ergobaby supports the back better and allows better weight distribution. Another negative point is that you cannot change the adjustment of the seat, that is, in the Ergobaby you can make the fabric where the child sits bigger or smaller so that it adapts to the weight and height of the baby. This factor is very important, since the legs have to be in the shape of an M and the seat that a one-month-old baby will need is not the same as that of a 1-year-old child. The Ergobaby has velcro straps that allow you to open or close the fabric more where it sits, leaving more or less opening in the legs.
The Lictin backpack is very, very good for its price. It's comfortable and our 7 month old loves it. Both backpacks have the option of putting a cloth over the head so that the sun does not hit it when we go out for a walk. But our opinion is clear: it all depends on how you want to use it, but if you can afford it (we're talking about 150 euros), buy the Ergobaby.
Of course, we doubt that for 30 euros you will find something better than the Lictin. The pity is that the price difference is so great and that there is no backpack with a price in between that improves the performance of Lictin a little and that does not reach three figures.
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You can buy the Lictin backpack here for 34.68 euros.
You can buy the Ergobaby here for 159.90 euros.
Children's backpack, 45 euros
The Infantino brand backpack will be tested by María and Benito, parents of Naira (21 months) and also lovers of portage. This model has a hood and an ergonomic seat to support the knees. The shoulder straps and the belt are adjustable and it has two positions of use. It is for children up to 18 kilos.
You can buy the Infantino backpack here for 44.99 euros.
As a new mother, one of the things I discovered shortly after becoming pregnant is that the world of childcare products is endless. And when I say infinite, it really has no limits. There are fairs, specialized stores, professions that we would never have thought of... When you start looking for a baby carrier, you can find thousands of opinions and comparisons, so when giving an opinion I want to make it clear that I give it as a mother. I am not an expert in portage, despite having read a lot about it. I will only share my impressions as a mother as I do on my blog, Learning to be a mother.
In my case, I have tried three different solutions: the Koala Cuddle Band from Koala Baby Care, the Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh backpack and the Infantino Cuddle Up Ergonomic Hoodie backpack.
For the first few months, my favorite solution was the Koala wrap. When they are less than 6 months old, babies have little control of their body and I was looking for more adjustment. It is put on like a t-shirt, so you don't need anyone's help to hold the baby while you tie the knot. The fabric is breathable and being made of cloth it fits well both for larger people (as is the case with my husband) and for me. After a year it was already too heavy and we changed to the backpack, also for long walks or for trips.
You can buy the Koala scarf here for 44.70 euros.
My friends gave me the Ergobaby backpack, the Ferrari of backpacks. And I'm going to compare it to the Infantino. It is indicated from 5.5 kg to 18 kg, which in an average baby translates into 4 months to 4 years.
The Infantino allows you only two positions: front position and back position. Here she wins the Ergobaby backpack, since she allows you all the carrying positions (front position facing in, front position facing out, hip position with one shoulder and back position). This is probably of little importance at first, since up to 5 or 6 months you carry the baby only in the forward position, but after one year it is very useful to have other options.
The Infantino backpack has a protective hood attached with Velcro and with a fastening bow. It is colorful, made with a very soft and cute fabric. However, it is an extra that is only useful for when the baby is very small. In Naira's case, the hood sits at her shoulders, so we don't use it.
I must admit that if there is one thing with which I have opted for the Infantino backpack, it is that it has a front pocket. It is used to put your hands during the walk and is very practical. Instinctively, all mommies and daddies tend to place them under the bum when it is facing you. It's the biggest bullshit in the world and I admit it, but the first day I used it I loved it and I thought that just for that it made me go a little more comfortable.
You can buy the Infantino backpack here for 44.99 euros.
The waist of the Infantino adjusts from 66 to 127 cm, which is fine for someone of average size. However, if it happens to you like me, that you have a larger husband than normal, I do not recommend this backpack.
For its part, the Ergobaby has lumbar support for greater comfort, which makes it perfect for longer journeys and for when the baby is heavier. The Infantino has a mount, but it doesn't fit the same way.
It is important to bear in mind that the Ergobaby backpack is also evolutionary and adapts to the baby's size as the months go by, something that does not happen with the Infantino.
For new mothers, the Infantino may be easier, because it is much easier to position the baby without help. The Infantino is separated by parts and the Ergobaby is not, so you have to put the lumbar part and raise the baby at the same time that you raise the straps.
Another key to look at is perspiration. When you carry you are close to the baby, so you generate a lot of heat. With the Infantino, my husband and I have ended up bathed in sweat, since the fabric is worse. The Ergobay has the latest ventilation technology to ensure you both stay cool.
The washing of both can be done in a machine without problem. And in terms of weight, dimensions and space they occupy, I would say that they are quite similar."
WHICH ONE DO I STAY WITH?
"In the last factor in which the Infantino backpack does win is in the price. Without a doubt, the Ergobaby is not a backpack that can be classified as cheap. However, making a comparison of value for money, I think that, if it is something that you are going to use, it is worth paying for what it offers.
You can buy the Ergobaby Omni 360 here for 189 euros.
You can buy the Infantino here for 44.99 euros.
Eccomum, 50 EUROS
The Eccomum backpack also has an affordable price of 50 euros and the brand ensures that it adapts to the development and different needs of the baby. It has three different combinations and the 3D memory cotton seat adapts perfectly to the contour of the baby's hip. The load is distributed very well thanks to its adjustable and padded straps and belts and it is made of soft classic cotton, for good breathability and great resistance.
We give this to Veronica and Alba (16 months) to try.
You can buy the Eccomum backpack here for 49.99 euros.
"When my daughter was born, my friends in town gave me an Ergobaby baby carrier. And I've used it every day since daycare started in September. It's very close to home and the car is too bulky to make such a long journey. short.
A couple of months ago I was offered the opportunity to try another from a cheaper brand, but with very good opinions on Amazon. After testing both models, I have drawn the following conclusions.
The Ergobaby backpack adapts very well to your body and to that of the baby. It has reinforcements in the lumbar area of the back, something that is greatly appreciated when the little ones get older and weigh more. Plus, the straps are long enough to fit anyone, regardless of height. Likewise, it stands out for its good finish and it is noted that the materials with which it is made are very resistant.
You can buy the Eccomum backpack here for 49.99 euros.
In addition, you can buy (separately) an adapter for newborns that is integrated into the backpack and that comes in handy during the first weeks or if the baby was born small. Of course, the price of all this, unless you find a good offer, is around 170 euros. In conclusion, quality is paid. As a gift for a family member or friend it is perfect. Also if you are going to use it a lot, as is my case, and you can afford it. I would choose her again.
Regarding the Eccomum backpack, the most outstanding aspect is its price, perfect if you do not want to spend a lot of money or if you think you are going to use it little, since it more than meets its objective from a value for money point of view.
As positive aspects, it has several pockets to store your mobile phone, wallet or house keys, something that the Ergobaby does not have. They are very useful if you do not want to also carry a bag or full trouser pockets. In addition, it can be disassembled, which allows you to wash a specific part that has been stained, and therefore also dry in less time.
It has a removable base to carry the baby without having the backpack on and not burdening the arms. This comes in handy when the little ones are no longer so little and they want you to carry them in your arms, but not all the time. To put some downside, I would say that the material seems less resistant and breathable and, in addition, it costs a bit to put it on yourself. In conclusion, if you are going to use it occasionally and do not want to spend a lot of money, this backpack more than meets its objective. But if you're really going to use it on a daily basis, you might want to invest a little more in a higher-end one."
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