Talk to me, ladies: Ergo vs. K'tan

UberBiz

I need a carrier for my chubster. He is 2.5 months and pushing 14 pounds. I'm a tiny person (4'10") and he is just getting too heavy for me to carry around all day long. I love the idea of a k'tan (or mei tai, always wanted to try one of those) and the versatility of it, but I know it has to be the right size for each individual. If I got a XS, FI wouldn't be able to use it (he is 6') so I'd have to get another one for him. (maybe, if he wants it)...

The ergo is adjustable, but it is more than twice the price of a k'tan, and even if I get 2 k'tans (because FI is so much bigger than I am), an ergo is still more..., but is it worth it? Can you front-face in an ergo? I feel like that's an important feature for curious babies, and I know you can front-face in the k'tan.

Opinions on both are welcome!

tokenhoser

Skip the K'Tan. It's stretchy, so it's not going to work with your baby very well at that weight.

Front facing isn't an important feature unless you want to hurt your back some more. Curious babies do better in back carries, and so does your back. 

I have an Ergo Sport (bought on babysteals for $75) and a mei tai (the Infantino Sash is a great starter carrier for around $35). I like the mei tai more with a younger baby, and in the summer (the Ergo infant insert is like a freaking quilt). 

DCMerged

I have both and much prefer the Ergo

Birdies08

I agree with tjer K'tan being too stretchy to start using at this point. What about  mei tai? I don't know the prices, but the same size should fit both of you.

That being said, I adore our Ergo. A back carry is super easy in it, which is great for baby being able to look around. 

Emerald27

I love my Ergo, and I'm a small person too!

I got mine on Craigslist for 50. There are ways to get the carrier you want for less than the retail price! Good luck!

JJ_13

I love my beco gemini. It's similar to the ergo but a little more structured and allows for front facing as well (which I don't do often, but do like to have the option).

Danni7535

I have a big baby too. He's now 20 pounds and 6 months old. Anyway, the K'TAN never felt comfortable with him. He was too big for it. We love our Ergo Performance carrier. It's worth the investment. If you have to have a front facing carrier, I would get a ring sling. You can do a kangaroo forward facing carry in it. Sakura Bloom has instructional YouTube videos demonstrating the different carries. We use our ring sling a lot around the house.

rboisvert

theresat858:

JJ_13:

I love my beco gemini. It's similar to the ergo but a little more structured and allows for front facing as well (which I don't do often, but do like to have the option).

The downside of the Beco, if one is wanting to save $, is that most babies outgrow it by 6-8 months. It has a very narrow base. I did love it with my newborn, though.

The beco has an adjustable base (snaps out for bigger babies).  My 2 year old is still very comfortable in the Gemini we have.  She's slight (26 lbs) but she'd be fine in it for a while still, she's just outgrowing "being worn". 

I LOVED our k'tan but I agree that he's too big to get a lot of use out of it from here on out.  I have the infantimo mei tie and for the money it's fine.  I hate it mostly because I'm bigger and I can't get the ties back around to tie in front.  It's the same reason I hated the moby.  If you're a xs/sm it might be really comfortable. 

pixieprincss

Ditto to the K'tan having a limited lifespan for you. I'd say that after 15 lbs it gets saggy. As for a soft-structured carrier, Ergos are notorious for not fitting folks under 5'1/5'2 very well (also, large busted ladies). Beco tends to work better for those folks. That said, there are so many carrier options, small brands that big box stores don't sell, that if there is a babywearing group in your area, that is a great place to go and try various carriers on: https://onyababy.com/blog/2012/06/find-a-local-babywearing-group/

cpmich

Skip the ktan. An Ergo, beco, action baby carrier, Kinderpack, or Kanga is a better call.

Check out a local babywearing group to try things on.

You can find good deals on nice used carriers if you register and check out the for sale or trade forums at thebabywearer.com. also a lot of posts about carriers good for petite moms.

UberBiz

Unfortunately, I live in North Bumblef*ck, NY and there are precious few groups for anything up here without having to travel an hour or more.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll look into different carriers, the beco looks nice, and I looked at a couple others yesterday (though now I can't remember lol). I just know that when I had my daughter, I had some cheap-o carrier and she absolutely loved facing outward. I always felt awkward with her on my back because I have very long hair and it just gets in the way. I know that's a lame excuse, lol, but yeah, I guess I'll definitely skip the k'tan. Thanks!