Anonymous wrote:In the ergo, move the strap all the way up to it fastens closer to your head/neck. If it is any farther down then you can't fasten yourself.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest--or you can move it further down if that's easier. But you can probably find a spot for that strap that allows you to fasten it yourself.

OP here --thank you all so much again! usually we do a big grocery shop on the weekend, I either go alone or we all go, including DH, so this isn't an issue. this quick trip isn't a typical occurrence for us because I am usually at work Mon-Fri. I appreciate all the thoughts!

Anonymous wrote:In the ergo, move the strap all the way up to it fastens closer to your head/neck. If it is any farther down then you can't fasten yourself.

+1 to this, have the back strap waaaay high up near your neck.

You will feel much happier and freer as a FTM once you can do this by yourself (I say, from experience!). No more trying to plan only stroller-friendly errands~! It's great.

Practice at home until you feel comfortable doing it while out. Agree with PPs that you can wear the ergo in the car (I did) and then put baby in the infant insert on the car seat, then into ergo.

I would take a handbasket and balance it on the top of the stroller handles. You probably need a stroller with a reasonably structured sunshade to make this work.

I could fit a handbasket sized load of groceries in my stroller basket; any more than than that plus maybe a backpack, and it's tricky to get them home!

Also? Peapod.

First - you aren't stealing until you walk out of the store without paying for it. Second - it doesn't matter which basket/container you put your groceries in. You can use one the store provides, or use your own.

I have done many things - I have pushed a double stroller while pulling a grocery cart behind me , I have used a single stroller while pulling those rolling baskets (Giant), I have used the canopy to put stuff in. I have put my kids in the front and the back and piled groceries around them.

The ergo wasn't practical for me until my son was older and it's a pain to fasten. Baby bjorn all the way! I can fasten it with one hand in the dark. I highly recommend getting one for those in-between months.

I use the stroller basket and/or a recyclable grocery bag that I carry on my shoulder. Just empty it out when I get to checkout.

Stroller basket and a large camping backpack. Helps if the giant self-scanners are working so that I don't have to unload everything. Probably got some looks, but with twins that were too little to sit up or when walking to the store there weren't many other options.

I can fit an entire weeks worth of groceries in the bottom of the Vista. It's low to the ground, though, so it's not my favorite.

I love shopping with my son in the carrier. He's so cuddly. Practice with the Ergo. You should be able to fasten it by yourself. Make the adjustments as noted above.

You can use the stroller but for a bigger trip use the carrier. People are more than happy to help- ask another woman or even a dad. I've seem moms with stuff in the stroller and they also carry large reusable bags. 3. Some stores have shopping carts with a baby seat installed. Shop at those.

I had an Uppa Baby and could place the grocery baskets at the store in my stroller basket. With the larger baskets at Target and Whole Foods I could hang the baskets over the stroller handlebars.

But I also have just thrown stuff under there or put stuff in the reusable bag from home as well.

I used the stroller basket a lot. But it's not going to work if you have to get a lot of big stuff.

However, some grocery stores have infant seats that are attached to shopping carts. You can see if yours has one of those.

I bet there are some YouTube videos that will help you figure out how to put the baby in the Ergo by yourself.

Another consideration - people will help you. While I can typically put the kid in the Becco (similar to Ergo) by myself, sometimes I get twisted and need help. I just ask any random woman walking by for help. Now my DD is big enough for back carry, but when I front carried, it was hard to pick up bulky items. So again, I asked any random person walking by for help. People are generally nice. If the first person doesn't want to help, someone else will.

Get a carrier you can actually use. The beco Gemini clicks at the waist and is almost the same as the ergo, structurally.