comfort for scoliosis - tips for using ergo and hotsling, please!

[saritajoy]

I've been wondering if anyone else has scoliosis or back pain and therefore has to be more cautious about babywearing?!?!

I'm 31 and have had mild scoliosis since puberty - I'm used to living with the pain and see a massage therapist and chiropractor fairly regularly. I'll admit that I'm not so great about stretching and exercise aside from walks with DS. My baby is 10 weeks old and I own both an ergo and a hotsling. All of his life I have been trying to figure out how to use them without hurting myself! A side note - since I live in Costa Rica buying a different baby carrier at the moment isn't really an option...

My LO and I love the hotsling - it's fast to get on and get him into, and I seem to have more freedom of movement, especially for household chores and even eating meals if I need to. It's lightweight (good for a tropical climate!) and not too bulky to pack around in the diaper bag. Plus he can sit up and see out (cradle hold) when he's awake and lie down and sleep (he just kind of slouches into it from the cradle hold) when he's tired. The downside is that after a couple of hours my shoulder and back are killing me!!! I believe that I have followed the video instructions for the cradle hold. Plus I do trade off shoulders, though I prefer to wear it on the opposite shoulder from my dominant arm for more ease of movement. Any suggestions from others with scoliosis or back pain for making it more comfortable or longer wearing?

I was so psyched about the ergo before my DS was born since it should be ergo-nomically superior for my back! Yet I haven't seemed to be able to get the hang of it with the front carry with the infant insert and haven't been using it as much as my hotsling. I've just watched the videos again on the ergo website and I think I've been doing it correctly. In any case, I always feel like my shoulders are being pulled forward. Mine is a denim organic so it seems to be too many layers and particularly heavy cloth for a tropical climate, especially with the infant insert. Any tips from others with scoliosis or other back pain?

Thanks in advance!

[Ellp]

Hi Sarah,
I have scoliosis as well, but mine is a on the moderate-severe side.

I've worn both my kiddos (ages 21mo and 4yo) since birth and what I find helps is to find a 2 shoulder carrier which also has waist support. The Ergo is nice for when the babies are older/bigger, but its not so great for the newborn-6mo age.

I find that pouches are great too but for short carries like 20 minutes. My kiddos are fairly light, 22lbs at 21mo, but I find that they pull my back sideways too much to be comfortable.

MTs and wraps are great for 2 shoulder carries. If you can get one and practice with it I'm sure you'll find it a great relief. The secret is to have them snug against you and at waist level or above.

It will take some exercise till your abdominal and back muscles develop. Just wear them a little more each day. HTH!

[charleysmama23]

Hey, I had severe scoliosis as a kid and had spinal fusion to correct it. As a result, lots of chronic back pain. I wore dd in the Moby all the time (still do) and found that the key was wearing her snugly against me no matter which way we used it (though the front carry with her facing me is easiest...she prefers to look out though!). If it was loose, I was always in pain. Oh, and walking around or swaying while wearing her instead of just standing still. Good luck!

[HarperRose]

I've never been dx'd w/ anything, but I see a chiropractor regularly and have near-constant back pain or discomfort. I can't wear a 1-shoulder baby carrier. I found that anything over both shoulders has been much easier and less painful for me. My current favorite is a WAHM mei tai, but I've used a homemade cotton gauze fabric wrap that was also plenty comfortable. It just has entirely too much fabric for me.