Does the Ergo baby carrier really work well for side holding?

As long as your child is under 40 pounds, you should still be able to use this carrier. The “best” or “better” carrier is debatable because each child and parent is different. The important thing is to find something that is comfortable for both of you and consider the ratings and reviews only if you’re narrowing it down. The three reviews I would pay attention to are safety, comfort and durability.