Favorite carrier for back carries?

[bezark]

So, I've always heard how much easier back carries are for bigger babies.
DS is 22lbs and until today we'd only done front and hip carries, which is fine most of the time. However, there are some situations in which it would be a lot easier to have him "out of the way" - unloading a grocery cart, cooking, doing dishes, etc.
I put him on my back in our Kozy carrier for about 30 minutes just now, and my back is SCREAMING.
All we have at the moment are 5 wraps, a Mei Hip and 3 mei tais. I don't do wraps during heat waves.

Could I be doing something wrong, or should I try something else? I'm considering getting a chunei for fall/winter, but definitely not now while it's so hot out.

[alegna]

Kozy. I would guess you're doing something wrong. Most likely not tying tight enough.

-Angela

[jewelsJZ]

Thanks for posting this. I am in the market for a back carrier myself to use when I need to be more "hands free".
Am interested to see what is recommended.

[fruitfulmomma]

I've had an Ergo few years and I really like it. It has great support on the hips and shoulders and is buckled, not tied.

[buttercups.nest]

I really like my mei tai. i don't tie over the shoulders though, instead i do an X across my chest, which feels more secure for me. i am preggo and have been using my mei tai up until about a month ago when my belly really got big! oh, and my daughter is 25 lbs, so she's no lightweight!

[GoGoGirl]

I can wear 17 lb DD on my back in the mei tai for as long as she'll let me without it hurting my back. Can you post a picture of how you're doing it?

I twist the straps around each other twice behind her back before I cross the straps under her legs and tie them. (Did that make sense? Should I find a video?) I've heard that doing that strap twist behind the baby's back can help support their weight.

[Carrruth]

I've never used a Kozy, but I wouldn't think it should hurt that much. Where is it hurting you?

Personally, I love soft structured carriers. I find them so easy to do back carries since it's like wearing a backpack. But I wouldn't think there should be much difference between a SSC and a Mei Tai for a back carry. Maybe extra padding on the straps of a SSC?

[jellies]

yes you definitely need to get a good carrier for back carries.. i think backpack kind of carriers like Ergo are good.. of course there are many other brands out there with details that differ abit here and there.
i love back carries.. in my opinion, SSCs will be better for back carries because it's easy, just buckles and within 10 seconds you are done and totally handsfree.

as for chunei, it definitely is a life saver in the colder months.

[maymorales]

chunei's are super comfy for back carrying. just be sure to get the correct size.

I do agree with pp that you can benefit from other experienced wearers to help you trouble shoot. pics would help with your baby your back.

[MamaPhD]

My DD is almost 9 mo and 21 lb. We got Ergo a couple weeks ago and it is really good in front/hip/back carries, especially the back carry. I do use the back carry to get stuff done like vacuuming, cooking, dishes, etc and she usually falls asleep. I feel it really helps me to get in a good posture, too! (sorry, sounding like their instructional dvd). But baby is comfy even when I stand totally straight and I don't feel like I have to lean forward to compensate for her weight. I tighten the straps pretty tight so DD is close to my back and center of gravity is not so off. Give that a try.

[isabchi]

Ergo and Woven wrap sling....I love both!!:

[natty529]

ergo!

[nukuspot]

posted in seperate post

[*MamaJen*]

Ergo, hands down. You know how a hiking pack distributes the weight on your waist? That's what an Ergo does.

[Lauren710]

I've found that with a mei tai, a high back carry is much easier on my back than a regular back carry - I tie the waist straps just under my chest instead of at my waist. I also like to cross the straps in front or tie with a chest strap because I hate how the straps pull on my shoulders otherwise, I feel like I'm fighting against them.

That said, I do prefer my Ergo for back carries, but DD gets mad because she can't see anything. Right now she'll only tolerate it if she's sleepy. Most SSCs distribute the weight much differently than a mei tai, for me it's more comfortable in a back carry while the mei tais are more comfortable on the front.

[KristyDi]

The Kozy shouldn't hurt like that. I'd say search for some how to videos on youtube (any Mei Tei instructions would work doesn't have to be Kozy) and see if you can figure out a carry that works for you.

It should be tight enough that you LO's front is in contact with your back. If you let him lean away from you it will kill your back. Making sure the body of the carrier is up to LO's armpits, or higher, helps w/ this too.

My personal fave MT carry is ruck straps tied tibetian.

[Pandme]

I have an Ergo (2, actually) and love them for back carries, but I also have a Kozy and no way should it hurt that bad (I don't even LIKE MTs for back carries because I have scoliosis and I just find the Ergo padding more comfy). Kozy is one of the MTs I actually WILL wear on my back, it's pretty good.

Best thing for support though is my hemp Didy, but that's a wrap and there's a learning curve with back wrapping (well worth it though).

[bezark]

Eek! I made this post and forgot all about it!
A friend of mine teaches a babywearing class at our local birth center, so I had her check out my technique and show me some new ones, but it never really got comfortable.
I tried out an Ergo, and it is heavenly. She gave me one of her demo Ergos for free, and I got another second hand for DH so we don't have to keep adjusting straps back and forth.
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