Need something for naps and long-term holding

[Beauchamp]

I have a Moby and an Ergo Sport (and a 3 week old LO) I also have a bad low back (and recently a sore upper/middle back and neck from nursing and watching her)

My LO wakes up when I lay her down (she sleeps in her car seat right now) unless she is TOTALLY passed out. She prefers to sleep on me, against my chest, etc. Obviously, this is really hard to do during the day. I've used the Moby a few times and it's okay. But my babe likes to be down lower on my chest (at least this is how she ends up in the Moby, I'm not sure whether this is due to it being too loose, but she will scream if I make it tight, which freaks me out) With her lower on my chest in the Moby is pulls my back a LOT. It's so hard to wear her for the couple hours she will nap if she's comfortable. What's been happening is that I have to move her and she gets woken up, less sleep, cranky, etc, which leads to a frazzled mama!!!

I haven't really tried the Ergo since I don't have the infant insert. The one time I tried to swaddle her in a receiving blanket and put her in the Ergo she screamed.

Is there any other carried that might be good for us? Help!

[KristyDi]

It sounds like your LO does need to be higher on your chest and the Moby need to be tighter. Try to get her at or above you belly button.

I'm not sure what to tell you about her not liking it tighter. Have you tried moving constantly until she falls asleep?

[Beauchamp]

Originally Posted by KristyDi

Have you tried moving constantly until she falls asleep?

Well, she screams (shrieks) sometimes when I put her in it tightly, and so I just take her out. It sounds like a pain cry. It's heartbreaking, and frustrating. It's not really working to "practice" using the Moby on my baby. I hate screwing it up and making her cry. When it's loose, she's fine. But then I'm not.

[aikigypsy]

I wonder if it's too hot for her. Is she wearing anything in the Moby? She probably doesn't need to be. You might also try a thin woven wrap, though they're harder to learn than a stretchy wrap I think it would be cooler and more supportive.

[Beauchamp]

nak

I don't think she's hot. Usually a onesie or t-shirt and dipe, sometimes socks. I've only used it indoors, and we keep the daytime AC on 76* with ceiling fans going.

I think she just doesn't like it uber tight, or else her legs go in wrong and hurt her, which is my big fear, and why I do it looser, so I can reach in an adjust her legs to make sure she's okay. seems like there is more room for error w/ the moby

[baturay]

How low are you wearing her? Can you post a picture? If it's too low, it's going to hurt your back no matter what you wear. You can wear her higher by tying the Moby higher on you, so that she's higher up with her head on your upper chest. She'll still be on your chest where she likes to be, but higher and then it'll be more comfortable for you. Maybe try that? It's basically starting the carry higher on you.

[Beauchamp]

I will try this, thanks. I guess the "waist" of the moby should just be up higher. I have a long torso, so that could be contributing to the low problem. She's about...mmm...maybe has her head on or just above my breasts, and her body goes down to my belly button or so. (She was 9 lbs 9 oz a week ago, I haven't weighed her since then.)

I was wondering if something like a Beco would work better (or at least only go on in a way that would eliminate my "user error") I really don't want to spend $100+ on a new carrier, but my back is sore and if it would work it would be worth it. I guess in a few months (weeks?) she'll be ready for the Ergo anyhow.

[greenmamapagan]

Definitely sounds like the moby is too loose. Have you tried retieing it tighter once she's asleep. With such a small babe it should be possible to wear them all day in a stretchy wrap without discomfort. Even with a dodgy lower back (which I have). FWIW I don't like the ergo for front carries. The waist strap always seems to dig into the delicate part of my back.
A meitei or similar (like a beco) might help but I would persevere with the moby too.

[baturay]

Well, based on your last post, she doesn't sound all that low. I think it is a combination of two things. One is just wearing it a little bit tighter and the second is you getting use to carrying a little one for that long for the first time in your life. Meaning, your body needs to develop those babywearing muscles. If I were you, I'd work on wearing the Moby more, because you may feel the same muscle aches with other carriers until you get used to carrying the weight around (even though it's a tiny baby right now, it's still new babywearing for you). The Ergo is not that great for newborns. The Beco is nice, but before you spend $ on it, I'd try the Moby (a little tighter) more. A picture is worth a thousand words and would help to know if you are carrying her correctly.

[dziwozony]

my absolute favourite for wearing a long time & chasing after my toddler while having both hands fully free (not to mention NO shoulder or back pain) is a chunei (www.hosausa.com).

[pixiepunk]

ITA with the pp about the chunei. i've been babywearing for 6 years, and i have tried just about every type of carrier there is. i've just started using a chunei in the last 6 months because of an old shoulder injury from way before i had kids that has been really aggravating me, and the chunei is the only thing i can wear for long periods of time with absolutely no discomfort at all.

www.hosausa.com and www.thekoreanbaby.blogspot.com both sell chunei. you might like one with the insert, which i think would be useful with a tiny baby (which you can find on both sites).