The ERGObaby Carrier Front Position

The ERGObaby Carrier Front Position with Insert

This video explains how to safely use the Infant Insert Heart2Heart to carry your infant close to your body. The Infant Insert Heart2Heart is designed for infants from newborn to 4/6 months, and allows them to be placed easily and quickly into the ERGObaby carrier. There are cushions at the back and bottom to support the natural curvature of baby’s developing back and spine. There is also an optional closure strap to secure smaller infants. The Infant Insert should only be used in the front carry position. To use, first fasten the waist belt and let the carrier hang in front of you. Lay the Infant Insert on a flat surface and place your baby in it so their bottom is on the lower cushion. Their legs should be lifted at an angle and slightly spread. Lift the Infant Insert and position it with the baby’s legs at your belly and the bottom cushion at the carrier’s edge. Hold your baby close and pull the carrier over the Infant Insert. Pull on the shoulder straps. Adjust the baby’s position and ensure they cannot slump down. Ensure their legs are not pinched by the carrier; then tighten the shoulder straps. Regularly check your baby’s position, as it will change as they grow. You can nurse your baby while using the infant Insert by loosening the shoulder straps and using the hood for privacy. To remove your baby, unfasten the chest strap, take off one shoulder strap at a time and lay your baby down on a suitable flat surface. Unfasten the waist belt and take off the carrier.

Using the ERGObaby Carrier Front Position without Insert

This video explains how to use the front carry position without the Infant Insert, once your child is between 4 and 6 months old, able to support their head and neck, and can wrap their legs around your waist. Tips for smaller/petite parents are also given, as well as instructions for how to adjust the carrier and wear it safely.

Removing your Baby from the Front Carry Position

This videoexplains how to remove your baby from the carrier when using the front carry position. Simply remove one shoulder strap while holding your baby with your other hand, then change hands and remove the other strap. Once your baby is out of the carrier, you can unfasten the waist belt. This section also explains how to remove a sleeping baby from the carrier without waking him.

Why do I need the infant insert and how long do I need to use it?

The infant insert was designed for use with babies from newborn to age 4 - 6 months. It supports your baby’s head and neck, as well as spine and hips during those first crucial months of development. Once your baby can hold her/his head up for long periods of time and is comfortable with her/his hips in a splayed position, the use of the infant insert is no longer necessary. The Original Infant Insert can be worn with your baby in the sling, or cradle position, while the Heart2Heart Infant Insert supports the Natural Sitting Position, sometimes called the "Spread-Squat Position", with baby facing you in the carrier. The bottom pillow in the Heart2Heart Infant Insert can be removed from the insert and placed inside the carrier, with your baby sitting on top of it. This allows babies from around 5-6 months old, who may no longer need head and neck support, to be at an optimal height inside the ERGObaby Carrier.

* Note: These two developmental occurrences do not always happen at the same time, but do take place between 4 and 6 months. Since babies grow and develop at different rates, monitor your newborn’s development to decide when she/he is ready for the transition.

I have a 3-month old, 15 lb. son. He has excellent head control for his age, but not so well when he's tired. Do I need the infant insert?

The Infant Insert Heart2Heart is a fabulous accessory that grows with your newborn, so even if he no longer needs the extra support of the insert, you can remove the pillow and have him sit on that inside the ERGObaby Carrier, propping him at an appropriate height without confining him in the insert. This would be the best choice for your baby at this point.

What is the Difference between the Original and the Heart 2 Heart Infant Inserts?

The ERGObaby Original Infant Insert is specially padded and shaped cushion that can be quickly and easily placed in the carrier and readjusted or folded to pad just the right places for your infant. Your infant is then cradled in a cozy, protected environment close to your heart and breast. Your baby is supported with both feet to one side in a sling-like, cradle position.

The ERGObaby Infant Insert Heart 2 Heart is the newest addition to the ERGObaby family of products. The ERGObaby Infant Insert Heart 2 Heart is a specially padded and shaped cushion that can be quickly and easily placed in the carrier and readjusted as needed. This design supports the infant in an upright position. It includes cushioning at the back and a pillow on the bottom, as well as an optional snap closure. The design easily enables parents to ensure that their newborn is positioned correctly on the pillow, keeping pressure off the developing sacrum and supporting the development of the spine and hips. The snap closure holds the baby in a cozy, protected environment close to the heart, as well as in an ergonomically correct natural sitting position. The snap closure also enables parents to remove the sleeping baby from the carrier and allows the baby to stay swaddled, often allowing the baby to remain asleep. As the baby grows and head and neck support is no longer required, parents can remove the pillow from the insert and use it to prop the baby inside the carrier, providing height without the extra support.

Moving your child from the Back Carry Position to the Front

This video shows how to move your child from the back carry position to a front carry position. First, loosen the shoulder straps and unbuckle the chest strap. Slide one shoulder strap off your shoulder and support your child with one hand. Pull the carrier around onto your hip. Hold your child and remove the second shoulder strap. Center your child and the carrier, and slip on the shoulder straps again. Buckle and tighten the chest strap. Tighten and adjust the shoulder straps so they are comfortable.

Moving your child from the Front Carry Position to the Back

This video explains how to move your child from the front carry position to the back carry position. First, loosen the shoulder straps and unbuckle the chest strap. Slide one shoulder strap off and pull your child and the carrier towards your hip. Hold your child and remove the second shoulder strap. Hold both straps tightly in one hand and move your child’s weight to your back. Reach back and grab one shoulder strap, pull it onto your shoulder. Grab the second shoulder strap and slide it on too. Buckle and adjust the chest strap. Finally, tighten the shoulder straps.

Can I nurse my child in The ERGObaby carrier?

Yes, nursing is very easy with the ERGObaby carrier. Just loosen the shoulder straps so that your baby is sitting at the appropriate position for nursing. You will need to adjust this position as your baby grows.

This video shows how easy it is to nurse your baby in the ERGObaby carrier in the front carry position. Slightly loosen the shoulder straps and bring your baby into a comfortable position. When nursing you can use the hood for privacy.

Have you experienced anyone wearing the ERGObaby carrier throughout pregnancy?

Yes, many women have safely used the ERGObaby carrier throughout their pregnancy. However, this is very much an individual preference and we recommend you consult your health care practitioner if you choose to continue to carry your toddler beyond your fifth month of pregnancy.

Can I face my baby out when I wear her on the front?

The ERGObaby carrier is designed in compliance with the recommendations of Dr. Evelin Kirkilionis, and SHOULD NEVER BE WORN WITH THE BABY FACING OUT.

According to Kirkilionis:"Infants in outward-facing orientations can’t turn away from surrounding stimuli. They can't turn inward toward a parent's body if stimuli become overwhelming. In this position the baby cannot make eye contact with his or her parent to evaluate facial expressions, social cues, and so forth to make assessment of the situation. Only choose a baby carrier that allows your child to face you ... never out. There are too many events going on around your baby. A baby has no way to exclude himself from the environment by turning his head away and towards you. Healthy sleep is difficult for a baby who is facing outward. I am not a supporter of the outward facing method of carrying a child."

From - A Baby Wants To Be Carried by Dr. Eveline Kirkilionis (available in German) Dr. Kirkilionis is a human development specialist who has researched babywearing since 1985

For further information from a recent study regarding outward-facing babies, please click on this link:www.ergobabycarrier.com/resources/2009/02/a-recently-published-study-sug.html

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