When did you start wearing your babe on your back?

[Erinz]

I have a 4mo and a 3yo. I wear my 4mo all day with the exception of his morning nap when he sleeps in our bed. That time is spent dedicated to one-on-one with my 3yo who completely and utterly needs and deserves it. So... I'm thinking my life would be easier if I could actually get some stuff that requires the front of my body done during the day and could if I start wearing my babe on my back for part of the day. He has good to excellent head control and we just started using the Ergo as designed on the front last week and he fits great in it. I think he's 16.5/17 lbs now.

When did you start on the back? Curious!

[baturay]

Originally Posted by Erinz

So... I'm thinking my life would be easier if I could actually get some stuff that requires the front of my body done during the day and could if I start wearing my babe on my back for part of the day.

Yes, it really would be. Being able to do back carries has made mothering so much easier and in particular, mothering my older ones. Definitly worth learning and you so can do it!

He has good to excellent head control and we just started using the Ergo as designed on the front last week and he fits great in it. I think he's 16.5/17 lbs now.

Now that he has good head control, you can try it with your Ergo. Start out with him on your hips and the Ergo over him (but the straps not on you yet), and then scoot him and the Ergo to your back and pull the straps over your arms. Done! Just make sure he's centered on the Ergo when you get him to your back.

With a carrier like a woven wrap or a mei tai you could do it day one. My last wee one was on my back before he was a week old. Takes practice and getting over the intimidation of having a little one on your back, but women around the world go about their days with newborns on their backs. You can do it...go mama!!!

[funkymamajoy]

I started a back carry with a woven wrap around 6 weeks. A friend of mine has pictures of her 1 day old on her back.

[Quirky]

With a Kozy, I started at under a week in a high back carry. LOVED it! With a Beco, I was able to get my then 3 month old on my back in a buckle carrier.

With carriers like the Ergo I tend to advise parents that 5-6 months is the time to start thinking about it -- but that's based on when most babies are comfortable doing a wide straddle in the Ergo and have the upper body muscular development not to be flopping all over the place. It's completely dependent on the baby, though, and it sounds like your little guy is good to go -- he's a good size and as long as he's not complaining that his legs are spread too far apart, then he'll be fine!

I think it is never a bad idea to encourage flexibility in our babies. I think babies can become very set in their ways and attached to a particular carrying method -- which can make it challenging to change things up and carry them in other ways later on. So the earlier you can get them used to the idea that hanging out on mama's back is a good thing, the easier life will be down the road as he gets bigger and heavier.

[Kiara.I]

Originally Posted by Quirky

With carriers like the Ergo I tend to advise parents that 5-6 months is the time to start thinking about it -- but that's based on when most babies are comfortable doing a wide straddle in the Ergo and have the upper body muscular development not to be flopping all over the place. It's completely dependent on the baby, though, and it sounds like your little guy is good to go -- he's a good size and as long as he's not complaining that his legs are spread too far apart, then he'll be fine!

And if he *does* complain about his legs being too far apart, what about tucking one in like he's sitting cross-legged, and having the other one out?

[Quirky]

Originally Posted by Kiara.I

And if he *does* complain about his legs being too far apart, what about tucking one in like he's sitting cross-legged, and having the other one out?

Feasible but perhaps a bit more challenging for a back carry unless there's someone there to help? Maybe if you started out with one leg froggied in a hip carry and hip scooted around to the back? I haven't seen people tuck a leg in once baby is in a back carry, so I'm not sure if there's another way to do it.

Although I tend to advise a position where the foot is parallel to the hip belt, knee bent, in the froggy leg position, just because I think that that's more comfy than having the foot potentially fall asleep from being tucked under.

[Erinz]

OK I'm going to try it tomorrow! Thanks for the feedback and encouragment

I wore my 3yo on my back a LOT in the Ergo but not until he was older simply because I didn't need to sooner! Having one kid is a lot different than two (and beyond, I'm sure!).

My husband will be home tomorrow so he can help spot me a few times to make sure I get the hang of it and our little dude looks safe and comfy in there. I'm VERY excited!