All you need to know about the Ergo 360 baby carrier

Have you tried the benefits of babywearing? Specifically, have you considered buying an Ergo 360 baby carrier? If you haven't already let us help you make the decision by telling you all about it.

Let's talk benefits first; a baby carrier helps support the baby's natural posture, can help to reduce infant crying and strengthens the bond between you and your baby. Using a baby carrier benefits you and your baby emotionally, cognitively and physically.

Is this your first time using a baby carrier? Here are some basic things you need to know. Firstly, a baby carrier can be used from day one. You can bring your baby from the hospital to your home in a baby carrier, it's possible that you'll need an infant insert to use inside it.   

The Infant insert will ensure that your baby feels snug, safe and content. it gives the baby a comfortable support inside the carrier. It's important to use the infant insert with babies from 0-6 months old because it provides cushioned support for the head and neck with structure. It also keeps the baby's legs in the ergonomic "M" shape.

There are two ways you can use the Ergo 360 infant insert:
 

• For a total support for your newborn baby inside the carrier, you can use the whole insert

• For babies with stronger necks and better head control you can use just the pillow part as a cushioned booster

Also if your baby meets the following requirements, you won't be needing the insert even if you're using the Original Carrier or the 360:
 

• He or she is 4-6 months old

• Has good head or neck control

• If he or she can see over the top of the carrier

• When you sit him inside the carrier the bottom doesn't bunch around his legs. 

Make sure your baby meets this last requirement because if you graduate him before he gets to that milestone there could be outward traction of the hip joints. You don't want that because it can stretch the ligaments and create instability when he grows up.

The second thing you need to know is that there are different baby carrying positions and when to use them appropriately are determined by the baby's weight, age, and developmental stage.

For the first six months of your baby's life, the front-facing position is the ideal one to use. This baby carrying position has two sides.
 

• Front inward facing

• Front outward facing

Aspects of how a baby develops in the first year can relate to ideal baby carrying positions. So if you want to use your baby carrier right, take note of the following information.

The front-facing position is best for the first 6 months of your baby's life because he is more content being carried in this position, facing you. During the first couple of months of this developmental phase the baby is adapting to life outside the womb, so he doesn't need much stimulation.

Between months 2 and 3 when the awakening period begins, the primary task of your baby will be to get to know your face and facial expressions. That is why the front inward facing position is ideal for this phase. You will be helping your baby in showing him how to communicate with others by watching you.

When your baby starts to protest and it feels like he wants to yell "I want to see the rest of the world!" Then it's time to switch baby carrying position, it's time to use the front outward facing position. This will happen around the 6th month, that's when your baby starts having good head a neck control.

This baby carrying position is not recommended for long periods of time, it's better if you use it for short periods and in environments that are calm and well-known to your baby. It's recommended to alternate between front inward and front-outward position, so your baby doesn't get over-stimulated or overwhelmed and so he can continue to have a clear view of your face. 

You can include two other baby carrying positions with the Ergo 360. 
 

• Back carry

• Hip carry

Back carrying is originally known as babywearing. It is one of the most liberating baby carrying position. it enables you to have your hands free while keeping your baby safe from whatever you're doing. It's also the most daunting baby carrying position for the parents. 

One benefit of the back carrying position is that it allows you to perform a lot of tasks, that would be difficult with the baby on the front. You have to follow the safety precautions, but the back carry proves indispensable when you have to go shopping or go do the laundry or do a meal prep or do the dishes. All those tasks become easier with back carrying.

The back carrying is the third baby carrying position recommended to try. Use it only when your baby is able to sit up on his own. The back carrying centers your baby on your hips, so it's easier to bear the weight and if the baby carrier is soft structured it will support your baby's legs in a natural seated position.

The back carrying position will provide your baby with a space to play and observe the world around him.

The video below is a guide on how to do the back carrying position so you can try it.

The hip baby carrying position is a variation of the front inward facing position, but you can attempt this position once your baby has rich the strong and consistent head and neck control milestone. That will happen around the 6th month, then you'll be able to try this baby carrying position and see how your baby likes it.

We'll leave you a short video where you can find a guide on how to use your Ergo 360 in the hip baby carrying position. 

After all this information you could be asking: What is the optimal baby carrying position? To answer that you have to understand your baby's development. A healthy development goes from initially requiring great amounts of closeness and parent interaction to a greater independence and a need to explore the world. Just have in mind that this world exploration needs a continuous parental support. 

That being said, the experts strongly urge you to carry your baby in the front inward facing position as long as possible. You can place the baby carrier in the front, on your hip or even in the back. Resort to the front outward facing position for short periods of time.

Since back baby carrying position is, as said before, daunting to the parents, here are some tips so you can do it correctly and safely for you and your baby.
 

• When placing your baby in the carrier, to avoid any injury you can do it over a bed or cushioned surface, or you can ask help from another person.

• Use the baby carrier in the back position only when your baby accomplishes a strong and consistent head and neck control and when his hips and legs open naturally into a spread position.

• Your baby should be close to your body, to achieve that tighten the shoulder straps. Take care to not over tight, your baby should feel snug but he has to be able to move.

• In the carrier, your baby should be centered. To achieve that you can do some up and down bouncing while pulling on one leg carefully and the opposite side of the carrier. 

• Your baby should sit fully in the pouch. If the carrier seems to be in the lower back of your baby you could pull up the shoulder straps and slightly bounce so his weight falls toward the waist belt.

What you want the most is for your baby to be happy, right? Well, a carried baby is a happy baby  And a happy baby is a happy mommy! See the cycle here?  Babywearing is a win-win for you and your baby, it takes them to their safe place and it enables you to do other chores while holding him or her close.

Try the different carrying positions that you can achieve with the Ergo 360 and start experimenting the joy of keeping your baby close and safe.