Ergobaby 360 Carrier Review – Enter Sleepy Dust!

Disclosure: I received an Ergobaby 360 carrier to facilitate this review; all opinions below are my own. Please, people. Post contains affiliate links.

Happy new year, everyone! When I was invited to attend Clever Girls’ Baby Blogger Boot Camp in late February last year, I didn’t know what to expect. Well, I received an Ergo 360 four-position carrier, an Ergobaby wrap, and a couple of velcro swaddlers to review.

photo source: ergobaby.com

Ergobaby 360 Carrier Review

Now that Spawn is five months old, I can wear her in the Ergobaby 360 carrier. She’s still a little short, in my opinion, so I fold a thin receiving blanket in the seat to boost her up.

You can buy the infant insert and wear your baby earlier than five months, but have you seen that thing? It’s hella thick and weird. I can’t see a baby looking comfortable in that thing. But hey, it’s your call.

photo source: ergobaby.com

The Straps

This thing is awesome. At first glance, the Ergo 360 looks bulky and funkier than the Original or Organic Ergobaby carrier. Its padded shoulder straps are comfortable and the velcro waist strap works for me. The straps are also non-skid, so I can wear my OG JanSport backpack on my back while wearing the baby in front.

It took me a while to figure out how to clasp the back buckle, which is located between my shoulder blades. You can adjust the straps so you can reach it easily.

I did end up buying a pair of suckpads (or droolpads) for the straps because Spawn likes to suck on them. Etsy has many vendors who sell them, or you can make them yourself!

Just another trip to Babies R Us…

The Velcro

I know some people are not a fan of the velcro because noise, but I just take it off in another room once I set the baby down. I like the velcro and the waist buckle for extra security. The velcro waist belt is pretty long, and I am sure it can accommodate a larger person.

For reference: I’m 5’3″ and wear US size 10 pants or 29″ waist (or so my vanity-sized jeans say) and there is plenty of belt left.

The belt’s width is wide and supports my lower back comfortably. I wear the belt high because, well, you should. Baby needs to be visible and have a visible airway at all times. (IMO, carriers should not be worn like a pair of 1992 baggy JNCO jeans – at your ass. Don’t Kriss Kross your carrier’s waist belt.)

Positions

At this time, I’ve only put Spawn in the front-inward facing position. That means, I’m wearing her in front of me and she’s facing my chest. I’m most confident with her facing me right now. I may face her outward later when I’m more comfortable buckling her that way. She’s also not old enough for me to wear her on my back, which is fine by me. I want to see her at all times. (I can’t protect her from random strangers touching her if I can’t see them coming from behind! You know, zombie apocalypse and all.)

There are four positions you can wear your baby: front-inward facing, front-outward facing, hip carry and back carry. The oddest position is probably the hip carry because the strap is supposed to rest on your shoulder, but every time I look at the video and photo, it looks like the strap will jam into your neck.

Near the bottom seat, there are a pair of buttons on either side that help make the seat wider or narrower, depending on how you are wearing the baby.

Note: If you are front-facing your baby, it should only be for a short period of time – 10 to 15 minutes at a time per Ergobaby. (Plus it makes sense because you don’t want to overstimulate your baby.)

Back Panel/Hood

There’s an extendable back panel on the Ergo 360 that I really like. When Spawn is facing me, it cushions her neck so she’s not lolling around. (Not that she is – she’s got good neck control or I wouldn’t have put her in the Ergo 360 at all.)

When she’s napping, I’ll unzip pocket and pull out the little hood to cover her face from the sun. It’s been especially nice to have when there are strangers around and all they want to do is get in her face.

I’ve heard that moms pull the hood over and can nurse with the Ergo on. I don’t think I can do this. I would probably have to unstrap everything down to the velcro waistband to nurse Spawn. It might be easier with the original Ergo with the buckle-only waistband.

Sleepy Dust

In 20 minutes flat, I can wear Spawn in the Ergo 360 and she’s out like a light. Enter Sandman indeed! This is important because right now, girlfriend is fighting sleep and I’m dying from sleep deprivation. If this is one way to get her to nap, I’m going to wear her!

Wishlist

• I’d love for the Ergo 360 to have an additional zippered pocket at the waist so I can put my wallet and keys in it. Fashion designers hate women and they never put pockets in pants. A-holes.
• I’d like to know how to fold it up nicely so I can store it in a bag. Right now, I just kind of smoosh the straps down and fold down the belt.
• A storage bag or zip up bag would be great to keep it dust-free and easy to carry and plop into my backpack or car.

Big thanks to Baby BBC and sponsor Ergobaby for providing an Ergo 360 for me to use with Spawn. I am very satisfied with the carrier, and I’m pretty sure Spawn is too!

The Ergo 360 retails for $160 but you might be able to find it for a little less at your local baby boutique or online.

Do you have a baby carrier you like? Have you tried the Ergo 360? 

For reference:

I own a Boba wrap that I used when Spawn was tiny. She’s about 18 pounds now at five months, and the Boba is getting a little uncomfortable because it’s so stretchy. I also own a linen ring sling by Sleeping Baby Productions (highly reco, btw), which I use all the time, especially for easy ups. 

Disclosure: I was provided an Ergo 360 carrier for review. The above is my honest opinion. Durrrrr. Post contains affiliate links.