Mei tai or podaegi- will they cause blocked ducts?

[MissRubyandKen]

I'm considering making a mei tai or podaegi for my toddler. I can't seem to get the back carry down with my wrap. Looking at instructions for back carrying with the mei tai and podaegi I'm wondering if I should worry about blocked ducts? I can't wear an underwire bra at all because I am prone to blocked ducts, which I'd like to avoid of course! Is there a certain way that is better than others to avoid blocking ducts with the straps?

[possum]

You can bring the straps over and around your shoulders, back under the same arm, cross or twist them over baby's bum, and on around your waist to tie them in front instead of crossing them over your chest.
I'd go for a mei tai; I find it much easier to get good weight distribution with a MT than a pod.
Melinda

[cyclamen]

I have a bit of a tendency toward blocked ducts* and I use a podegi (wide and narrow) every single day. I frequently use the torso carry (on the wide pod) without problems, but gave up tieing tibetan (on the narrow) as that seemed to cause trouble.

With the wide pod in a torso back carry, I find that doing a twist before crossing the straps back under baby's legs (like for a mei tai) high over the baby's (or in your case, toddler's) bottom/back takes a lot of the weight off the front part that is above your breasts. I tie the torso carry pretty high, and fold down the top part, so there's a good cushion and it doesn't rest right on my breasts. This is my most used carry. I made my pod for cool weather wear and it is fully padded, both straps and blanket. I use this probably from 1-8hrs a day (baby only ~15lbs though) depending on what errands I have to run. I can imagine, though, if you tie it low or too tight it could cause problems

With the narrow pod, I bring the straps over my shoulders, then around the back, twist, and under the legs. Never had any problems with this either.

I personally like the podegi better as I felt the mei tai squashed my belly, and I feel like I have better control by using only the top strap, but I know most people prefer the mei tai. I'm thinking about making a traditional style MT, though, which is tied differently (over the breasts, though, so probably not what you are looking for).

*I've been taking EPO every day though, and also block feeding because of oversupply and these together seem to have fixed the problem for me. So it may not have anything to do with how I tie.

[cyclamen]

also see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryandaniel/2549916417/

you can also tie it lower.

or quite high

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6011272...ool-666616@N21

[pixiepunk]

you might also want to consider a chunei. i think it has less pressure on the breasts than any carrier (and i have both wide and narrow pods and MT's in my carrier stash as well). there are a few good threads here on chunei if you do a search, i'd look but i'm NAK and typing one-handed