How to wear baby on back

[Birdie B.]

My daughter is finally getting big enough that I'm uncomfortable wearing her on my front. For short trips it's fine, but I love to hike, and wearing her on my chest in a sling or Snugli makes my back hurt after a while. I have a Maya wrap, a Moby and a Snugli. I love the Moby but it's too hot to use during the summer, especially on a long hike. Can I use the Maya wrap on my back, or should I get another carrier? What's the best way to carry a babe on your back?

[MamaKickyPants]

I would not recommend wearing your little one on your back in the sling (Maya wrap). It is not secure enough for a child that small, even with bigger kids it can be tricky to master. Same for the Moby - it is too stretchy to be safe in a back carry.

I would reccomend a mei tai or a soft-structured carrier. In an SSC, the Ergo is a very popular option. It has a nice padded waist strap so the weight sits mostly on your hips, and is super easy to get her on your back with. It also has a pockets and you you can get the extra backpack that attaches for hiking. If you want something even easier, I'd check out the Beco - you put the child into the carrier first, and then put it on your back like a backpack. It also comes in some pretty colours.

Mei Tais are another option, they are like SSC, but with long straps instead of buckles. I like them because I have more ways to tie the straps to get it exactly how I want it. If you can find one with a padded waist it'll take you into toddlerhood. Babyhawk and Kozy are good unpadded ones, Kindercarry, Bamberoo and Beanslings are some padded waist brands.

You should check the 'For sale or trade' forums on www.thebabywearer.com to see if you can find a deal on a used one. Sometimes Ergos pop up on craigslist, but you've gotta be quick, and only buy locally so you can make sure it's not a fake, as there are knock-offs floating around.

[SuzyLee]

I have used a mei tai and an ergo on my back for hiking. I found an older model Ergo (the main difference is the hood design) on CL for 50$. That was a total steal.

Mei tais are cheaper, and have more options for tying, but SSC's are quicker and easier to put on and off (definitely more dad-friendly).

I have used a ring sling on my back, but with an older baby with excellent head control. And I only did it bc I didn't have any other carriers with me. It is a lot of pressure on your chest/shoulder when you use it for a back carry, although better than when they are on front.

[LionTigerBear]

I have successfully "worn" babies as little as 4 months on my back in a wrap. It is very secure and totally safe, once you get the child in correctly. The thing, is, getting there is kind of a pain and a little dicey if you don't have help, at least until you have it down "pat". The Ergo is really, really great and easy for a back carrier, LOVE it, but it's over $100 so I don't know if you can just run out and buy that right away (I wouldn't be able to!)

Here's what you can use around the house which is somewhat unattractive (bulky with odd bits of sheet corner sticking out!) but totally utilitarian in a pinch: the South American back carry with a simple piece of cloth (i.e. a large flat bed sheet works just fine.) It is easier than using the Moby-type wrap because the Moby wrap is so LONG. Anyway, I found the link to the video explaining that hold here in this forum, over two years ago. Sorry, I can't find it anymore. Will try to look again later.

[tessie]

I'll be watching this with interest for tips as I'm trying to get the hang of a back carry as my 20lb 8 month old is getting too heavy to front carry.

I use a calin bleu wrap and am really struggling to get her on my back and all fastened on tightly. There are many videos on youtube but I'm just not getting it.

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by tessie

I'll be watching this with interest for tips as I'm trying to get the hang of a back carry as my 20lb 8 month old is getting too heavy to front carry.

I use a calin bleu wrap and am really struggling to get her on my back and all fastened on tightly. There are many videos on youtube but I'm just not getting it.

Which carry are you trying to learn?

I learned on the Back Wrap Cross carry with a chest belt. The chest belt allows you to snug the baby up on the 1st pass with the wrap, then you can concentrate getting the crosses spread and snug. This is the video I liked best.

[Anandamama]

I'd also suggest getting a mei tai of some kind or an Ergo. They are both easy to get the baby in and on your back. Just lay out the carrier on a couch, bed or the equivalent, set your baby in it, squat in front of your baby and do the waist tie, then gently get ahold of the shoulder straps and hoist your baby to your back. Lean forward while you get everything adjusted so your baby is laying on your back. I was worried about putting my baby on my back too early so I didn't start until 8 mo. or so, but I think I could have started earlier - probably around 5 mo. Now she is 2.5 yr. and still likes to ride on my back in the Ergo. Ergo's are nice because they do support weight better on the hips and probably last longer than most mei tais. The Becos look great but I've never tried them. I got my Ergo on craigslist for $40. Hope this helps. I know it was a big revelation for me when I realized I could get my baby on my back easily all by myself and then be able to be much more mobile and functional.

[baturay]

A mei tai, a buckle carrier or a woven wrap would work for back carries. Being able to put your baby on your back is so life saving and really helps, especially when you have other little ones to care for. I had my third on my back on week one. I think the biggest hurdle is getting over the fear of doing it, then once you are over that, it's just practicing and soon you'll be a pro. Practice with a friend behind you and/or over a soft surface.

[Birdie B.]

Thanks mamas! I feel like I understand back carrying a lot better now. I'm looking at Ergos - wow they look great, but $$$$! Are they really worth it? How long do they last?

[jocelyndale]

Originally Posted by Birdie B.

Thanks mamas! I feel like I understand back carrying a lot better now. I'm looking at Ergos - wow they look great, but $$$$! Are they really worth it? How long do they last?

I still wear my 27mo son. Granted, he's only 23lbs, but we use it all the time. DH wore him a bit today, in fact. Of our three mile walk, DS walked about two miles, in and out of the Ergo from time to time.

For any hikes longer than a short jaunt, though, I actually use a frame pack. Those get pricey, though. If you're not going on all day hikes, the Ergo will serve you nicely. I got a Deuter KidComfort III so that my son could see above my shoulder, so that I could carry a water bladder, and so that I'd have room for a few essentials with a pack that distributed weight to my hips well. It was a gift from my mother.

[tessie]

Originally Posted by KristyDi

Which carry are you trying to learn?

I learned on the Back Wrap Cross carry with a chest belt. The chest belt allows you to snug the baby up on the 1st pass with the wrap, then you can concentrate getting the crosses spread and snug. This is the video I liked best.

I was trying to do a rucksack one. I have a super wriggly baby which doesn't help.

Thanks for posting that link. I haven't tried that and will give it a go.

[Anandamama]

Originally Posted by Birdie B.

Thanks mamas! I feel like I understand back carrying a lot better now. I'm looking at Ergos - wow they look great, but $$$$! Are they really worth it? How long do they last?

We've used ours for 1.5 yr and got it used and it shows no signs of falling apart. They seem very sturdy. Do you know how to shop on craigslist? Ebay also has a lot. You can find them used from about $45 to $85. And there are classifieds on MDC, too, right?

[pollyanna123]

I've always been a back-wrapper wannabe, but it just hasn't worked out for me.

Through two kids, however, I seriously don't know how I would have survived without my 4th generation Beco!! You can still get them used over at thebabywearer.com

The 4th generation Beco is similar to the Ergo, which I also have. I just find the Ergo to be bulkier, and the body is shorter. The Beco Butterfly makes getting the baby onto your back very easy and safe, so that might be a great place to start.

[staceychev]

I've been wearing DD since about 10 months on my back in an old-style Babyhawk Mei Tai. It was hands-down my favorite baby accessory. Believe it or not, I carried her on my back in it for a short hike earlier this spring (before I was pregnant!) ... and she just turned 4 and is 32 lbs!

[Birdie B.]

Wonderful update!

Thanks for answering all my questions - I really appreciate it. As I was sitting on the computer yesterday, researching Ergos and other carriers, I heard a knock at the door. It was the FedEx man, with a package labeled "Ergo". My wonderful wonderful friend decided that I needed one and bought it for me! :: I hadn't even told her I wanted one, but we're planning to visit her in California soon, and she wanted to make sure we could take the baby on hikes. :

I immediately tried it out and I love it! It's pretty easy to use by myself, and SO comfortable. I'm so glad to have it - now we're all set for summer hiking!