best carry for heavy baby w/poor head control

[shell_sea]

Hi all - my 2mo is now 15lbs and I'm struggling to figure out the best carry for us. She has some head control at this point but not enough for me to feel secure carrying her without support for her head. We've been doing FWCC in a didy, but she wants to wiggle her head out from beneath the wrap to look around. When she does this her head lolls back and I have to tuck her back in all the time or hold her head while it's out, making it a not-so-hands-free carry. Cradle is uncomfortable because she's so big and long. I'd like to do a hip carry because she's heavy, but again, not enough head control makes that a problem.

Any other ideas for us? Anyone carry babies this young in a back carry? I'd prefer not to buy another carrier - we've got a long didy, a medium one and an ergo.

[greenmamapagan]

Would she tolerate the sleep hood on the ergo? I've not used one with a babe so young.
My babes both did the wriggle the head out thing too, DS is 5 weeks and determined to keep his head out unless he's fast asleep. He does have pretty good head control though so I just remember to put my hand behind him if I have to lean over or move suddenly. Not much help am I?
I do know people who back carry teeny babies. Usually in a Tibetan rucksack carry - I gather it's easier to support their heads in that carry.

[baturay]

Do you have a picture of you wearing it? My kids have been fine in a front or back carry without having their heads covered (which they hate when awake). The simply rest their heads on my chest (or in a back carry on the back of my neck or between my shoulder blades). Some freedom to move around is what helps them develop head control. I sometimes will use my hand (when in a front carry) to help with head support, but really, my kids have had amazing head support from the beginning and I kind of think it's because I've not overly supported their heads (just my own theory with a small sample of three ).

[abckidsmom]

Originally Posted by baturay

Do you have a picture of you wearing it? My kids have been fine in a front or back carry without having their heads covered (which they hate when awake). The simply rest their heads on my chest (or in a back carry on the back of my neck or between my shoulder blades). Some freedom to move around is what helps them develop head control. I sometimes will use my hand (when in a front carry) to help with head support, but really, my kids have had amazing head support from the beginning and I kind of think it's because I've not overly supported their heads (just my own theory with a small sample of three ).

This. I mostly carry my 5 week old in belly-to-belly in the maya, or snuggled down in the ergo on front. The fabric gives her a little support, but mostly she either holds her head up or rests it on my chest. Not good if I'm doing much other than sitting or walking, but good enough. If I have to bend down, I just support her head with one hand.

[Quirky]

ITA with the other posters -- let her have a bit more freedom to move her head and look around. That's what's going to give her the exercise she needs to develop head/neck strength. The more time she spends awake in a carrier, or carried in your arms, without her head being supported, the stronger she'll get. As long as her head doesn't snap backwards, it's perfectly fine if she wobbles and bobbles around. Her neck won't break!

If she's not got better head control in a month or so after letting her have more exercise, I'd definitely talk to your ped about it. There may be something going on that needs to be looked at.