Baby-wearing Question

[Willow82]

Does anyone else find it uncomfortable? I intended to do a mixture of baby wearing and using the pram this time round and have hired the beco Gemini from the local sling library.

My DD loves being in the sling and has silent reflux so is more comfortable in the sling anyway. Therefore, I've ended up solely baby wearing whilst out and about. I don't mind this and generally find the sling quite comfortable but my DD will only nap in the sling and often will want to be in there even whilst awake. So I end up wearing her for most of the day which is beginning to take its toll. I'm beginning to get muscular pain in my neck, shoulders and back which will only get worse as she gets bigger. I'm not sure what I can do about this, I've tried putting her down in her Moses basket but she will only sleep for about 20 mins. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Rainbow82]

I haven't tried the beco gemini but have used a stretchy, a woven wrap, ring sling, mei tai and a connecta and have never had a problem except a couple of times when OH has worn the connecta and I haven't adjusted the size correctly and it's been a bit loose, then the straps tend to cross too high in my back and ride up to my neck. After a while like that it does feel like I've pulled my muscles but that's they only time that happens and DS is going through a really clingy stage so is worn a lot at the moment.

Could you go back to the sling library for some advice on getting it right enough and positioning of the straps? Sometimes it can take a few goes to get the right carrier for you and LO so maybe you could try a few others as well. The right carrier is out there and shouldn't cause you any discomfort. Also in a couple of months or so you will be able to carry your LO on your back which will help.

 

[Button#]

I sometimes get achy shoulders with the mei tai if she's been extra wriggly and pulling against me or if the straps aren't in the right place. I normally switch to the woven wrap then as it's much more supportive and never hurts.
I agree to get the sling library to check you've got it on properly and maybe try some others.

 

[RaquelDee]

My bub would have one nap a day in the carrier from around 8 weeks, it was the only way I could get her to have a decent nap in the afternoon. At around 5 months I started to find that my back was getting pretty sore every time, so I switched from a woven wrap to something more structured (Ergo 360) which seemed to give much better support. She dropped the nap altogether at around 6.5 months. It is temporary so hang in there! It can also make a difference to wear really supportive shoes if you are on your feet, or to use lots of cushions to support your back if you get the chance to sit down while using the carrier.

 

[MindUtopia]

I would go back to the sling meet and get some advice to make sure you are wearing her correctly and in the way that's most comfortable for you. There is definitely a degree of strengthening that has to happen when you first start babywearing, especially if you haven't been especially active during pregnancy. You're using different muscles and in different ways than you probably have been up til now. You might also just have some lingering tightness from pregnancy or from holding her when feeding, etc. Sometimes that just takes time to work out. But it shouldn't be hurting you enough at this point that it's making you not sure you can wear her. One solution might be to use a wrap, which is lighter weight and more flexible. I have a carrier (Ergo), but I definitely found it was less comfortable on my back and shoulders than a wrap. Also, you might just need to sit down more when you aren't out and about. I personally couldn't sit down comfortably in the carrier, without a strap or a buckle digging in somewhere. But in a wrap, it was great. My daughter slept all her naps in there and I would just sit down on the sofa and relax once she was asleep. It just meant minimising the time I was on my feet while my muscles were getting used to wearing her, which took some of the strain off. That might not be possible if you have an older one to run around after, but if you can find ways to sit down more while she sleeps, that might help.

 

[Willow82]

Yeah, I think I will go back to the sling library and make sure she's positioned right. I might consider another carrier as well. The only reason I got the beco as it was the only buckle carrier she could fit into when she was a newborn. I did try the moby wrap but I was never confident putting her in it despite being shown.

I should probably sit down more. Even when it's just me and her, I'm always doing something in the house or out and about. I always feel I should be making myself useful when she's napping! Although with my son, I was more than happy to sit down with a book or tv when he was napping in his crib.