Ouch! My back hurts...

[funfunkyfantastic]

So, i've had plenty of back pain in my life. And it only got worse when I was pregnant with DD even though I had constant chiropractic care. I even had chiropractic care for a while afterward, but had to stop a couple of months ago since we're broke. I just made myself a wrap, but no matter which way I wear DD, i'm in pain! I've even done the torso carries and even that hurts me. Maybe i'm not doing it right... or maybe my back is just super sensitive? Anyhow, I ordered a Mei Tai on ebay and am awaiting it's arrival. Supposedly they are great for mommies with back pain. I guess we'll see! Any other ideas? My back is in super bad pain today from a front carry position I tried yesterday! (and it even felt comfy at the time!)

[MommaShark]

Well, not sure what is wrong with your back but the research I've done talk about the importance of strength training your back to lesson pain......my mom and I have had chronic back pain and I have a fused disk but found that yoga and free weights (done at home for free - you can use cans of food for weights) have totally helped.

A well put on wrap shouldn't hurt, a mei tai shouldn't hurt either......maybe when the child is over 15-20 pounds you might want something with a waist belt (Pikkolo, Beco, Ergo...)

Stay away from slings and hip carries......maybe post photos of your carry to make sure you got it right. People over on thebabywearer.com forum are also helpful.

[cotopaxi]

What mei tai did you get? Sad to say some of the ebay ones aren't too great. I think with your kind of pain you will want something with a well-padded waist. Another option is a soft-structured carrier - those have thick foam padded waists, which are supposed to distribute more of the weight off your back and to your hips - that might be even better for you. Ergo and Beco are two popular ones.

[pixiepunk]

is it all-over backpain? or upper back, or lower back? does it involve your neck and shoulders?

to some extent, you have to build up your babywearing muscles for a while. you really do use specific muscles in specific ways when you wear a baby,and that is different in front carries than back carries and depending on the kind of carrier.

what kind of fabric did you use to make your wrap? it might not be supportive enough. also, and how are you wearing it? (ie front wrap cross carry, rucksack carry). check out youtube for videos on different wrapping options. and make sure the wrap is spread out wide across your back, not bunched up, and also that it's really snug. sometimes you will need to retie it more snugly after your LO settles down into it.

i have some neck/shoulder/upper back issues, and i have found a chunei to be the best thing ever. it's not the prettiest carrier out there, but it totally takes the weight off my shoulders completely, distributes it across my torso, but without the pull that i've had with other torso carries with a wrap and a traditional wide podaegi because the velcro and buckles and waist belt hold things so securely, and the shoulder straps (which don't bear any weight) hold things up so they don't sag. it's been a life-saver for me, my shoulder issue has been flaring up lately (been seeing my chiro which helps immensely) but even SSC's were not comfy for more than 15 minutes when it was at its worst - and i've been babywearing for 6 years straight. if you're interested in checking them out, www.hosausa.com and www.thekoreanbaby.blogspot.com both sell them.

[cotopaxi]

Good suggestion, pixiepunk. I always forget about chunei because I've never used one... that is probably the style that best relieves pressure from the back/neck though I bet!