How does a mom get stuff done when she has a baby that constantly wants to be held? It’s a question I never knew I’d need to ask, but I learned the answer to after the birth of my second child.
But let’s go back a little. I’ve been a fan of babywearing since 2014 when my daughter was born. I read several baby and parenting books that talked about babywearing when I was pregnant and I liked the idea of attachment parenting. I wanted to do as much skin-to-skin time as possible and I knew the benefits of babywearing were huge.
For example, babies who are worn cry less often and babywearing can also improve the bond between mother and child.
Besides all that, babywearing has one obvious benefit; it frees up your hands.
When my daughter was born, I bought and was given, a few different carriers. I had an Original Baby K’Tan wrap, a Moby Wrap Classic, and a Cuddlebug wrap which is very similar to the Moby. While I was on maternity leave (and looking for a way to stay at home with my daughter), I spent a lot of time holding her, cuddling her, and laying on the couch while she slept on my chest. Although she enjoyed being held, she also enjoyed her independence and from a few months old was content in a Rock N’ Play, on her play mat, or in a Bumbo.
She was a calm and happy baby. I went back to work when she was 10 weeks old and got a lot done by moving her to different stations around my house and working while she napped.
After the birth of my second child, I knew I would need some help getting things done with a three-year-old underfoot.
Not only that, but my son was a different kind of baby. He had reflux, was colicky and wanted to be held constantly. He was never content unless he was being carried and a lot of times wasn’t content then either. We spent most of the first three months of his life in the house due to his unpredictable screaming and crying. In order to get anything done, I had to find a solution for easier babywearing.
Enter the Ergo.
I bought an Original Ergo carrier with an infant insert. The carrier was high quality and really comfortable and I started using during the long days at home. Though I really liked it, I found it a bit difficult to get my son into the infant insert and then put him and the insert into the Ergo carrier. I could do it at home over a bed, but I was too nervous to do it in a parking lot, or building, or anywhere that else that I might need to go. We also had the issue of spit up. His reflux caused him to spit up a fair amount so the infant insert was always getting wet and would take a long time to dry (it’s very similar to a pillow).
That’s where the Ergo Omni 360 came in. I got the Omni when my son was three months old. The Ergo Omni 360 is an all-in-one carrier that easily adjusts from newborn stage to toddler. It has the same level of quality and comfort as the previous Ergo carriers, but is much, much easier to use.
Here’s how it works:
You simply move the velcro to the colored section depending on your baby’s size, buckle around your waist, put the baby in, buckle at the shoulder then pull the straps tight. The carrier is easy to adjust and super comfortable. It doesn’t feel bulky.
The main thing I love about the Omni was that I could use it with my newborn immediately without additional accessories. The material of the carrier is easy to clean with a wet washcloth and doesn’t easily absorb spit up.
Here are some of the best features of the Omni:
- Ergonomic, forward facing option (and easy to switch!)
- Adjustable from newborn to toddler
- Lumbar support for extra back comfort
- Includes detachable storage pouch
- Crossable straps
- No infant insert required for newborns
The Omni 360 has all of the carry positions you could want. It grows with you from week 1 to 36 months. The crossable shoulder straps give a personalized fit.
I’ve worn the Omni for three hours while walking around an outdoor event and was comfortable the entire time. It is the only way I can go grocery shopping with both kids because it frees up the cart by letting me leave my son’s bucket car seat in the car.
My son is now nine months old and crawling all over the house. He has a longer attention span and enjoys exploring. But he’s still a clinger. Though I love his cuddles, I wouldn’t get much done without wearing him. Since he’s interested in the world around him, the outward facing forward carry is perfect for keeping him entertained while I get stuff done.
The Omni gave me some of my sanity back and made the transition from one kid to two a little less painful.
If you’re interested in getting your own Omni 360, you can find out more here.
I received a complimentary Ergo Omni 360 for this review.
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