Comfort: Mei Tai vs. SSC

[liliaceae]

Which is more comfortable on the tummy and low back, for both front carry and back carry?

I have a BH Mei Tai, and I'm using a front carry with my 14ish lb baby. It's causing pain in my mid and lower back, and puts uncomfortable pressure on my belly. It looks like the straps would really hurt my belly if I used a back carry. Would a SSC be better for these issues?

[chase_mommy]

I haven't any experience with SSC but couldn't help responding. When I read about your mid and lower back pain it made me wonder if you are keeping baby close enough to you. Make sure those top straps are tight and baby is close. If baby is kind of reclined out there that will throw off your center of balance and ouch. Also, are you tying the waist straps super tight, like wearing a pair of jeans 2 sizes to small and then sitting in them? If so, loosen them up a bit. When I first started using the MT I was doing that and it was uncomfortable! When I am around period time and my tummy is extra sensitive I try the waist straps lower on my abdomen or higher. Sometimes above the boobs but no to often since I am large chested. I know the MT don't work out for all people but I love mine, it just took some tweaking and getting use to. Good luck!

[alegna]

I agree that baby sounds too loose. Personally I find a MT much more comfortable than an SSC, BECAUSE I can get it much tighter.

-Angela

[liliaceae]

Thanks for the tips, I'll try to get it tighter next time and see how that works. Do you know of any sites that have good pics of a MT being properly worn?

Also, is the MT comfortable on the stomach when you're doing a back carry? It seems like the straps would kind of dig into your belly.

[alegna]

I don't criss-cross when I have the baby on my back, I do backpack style straps. The kozy site has a lot of pics and the babyhawk site has some.

-Angela

[chase_mommy]

Originally Posted by liliaceae

Also, is the MT comfortable on the stomach when you're doing a back carry? It seems like the straps would kind of dig into your belly.

I don't have any trouble with it. I just don't tye my waist straps so tight I can't breath. The need to be secure but not supper tight, iykwim. As for the straps they don't bother me either. At first I crossed the straps over my chest, like and 'x', but that really looks horrible on my large chest. So I now wear them as Angela described. You can also Youtube Mei Tai, they have a lot of great demos there.