Plus size mom wanting EASY back carry for 10 month old

[bellydancemommy]

Hello! I was hoping for some suggestions for a back carrier my 10 month old. I currently use a moby for front carry but, I am a single mom and would LOVE something easy to use for back carry. I can't get her on my back by myself. I am plus size 20/22 so would need something to accomodate that aspect. I would love all suggestions you have. Thank you so much! Robyn

[fruitfulmomma]

You can't get her on your back at all? Or just having problems with the Moby? I never could get the hang of the Moby on my back, the fabric was always too lose and cut at my neck.

I have an Ergo and it works really well. They have an extension belt available. It takes a bit to get used to but I've had it almost 3 years and can swing my 11mo old back there pretty well now. Actually, I prefer to do it myself because I always feel I am going to miss something if someone else is helping.

What I do to get her back there is put her on my hip and move her around with one hand and reach back the other way and grab her leg. Then with the first arm I pull up the carrier into place. Once it is all buckled, I put my hand between her butt and the carrier and adjust it so that she is seated in the bottom.

HTH

[bellydancemommy]

Thanks! The only carrier I have is the moby so I can't get her on my back alone with the moby. I will check into the ergo. I just know I would get so much more done if she wasn't hanging on the front of me thanks so much for your suggestion!

[skueppers]

The Ergo works great for me with the extension belt, though I cannot use it in the hip carry position because the shoulder straps aren't long enough. I don't consider this a major loss, as I'm happy with a ring sling for hip carries.

I'm sure there are other soft structured carriers that would also do the job -- a plus-sized friend of mine finds the BabyTrekker much more comfortable than the Ergo, but I've never tried it myself.

My best tip for making a back carry work in the Ergo or other SSC is to use a mirror to practice. I was totally uncomfortable getting my baby onto my back alone until I did it once with a mirror -- after that, it was a piece of cake!

[momtomine]

i am the same size as you, and i have a becco. i dont need an extension, and even have a bit of extra strap. i could even wear my DS1 when i was very pregnant with DS2. i think that the waist strap goes up to 50 or 52 inches, so i think it would be great! i love mine, and back carry all of the time.

[LittleBeauty'sMom]

I have a mei tei w/ xtra long straps. We got the straps for DH who is a VERY big man, around 320 pounds. He can wear DD in the back carry with ease. HTH

[ellairiesmom]

Definitely a SSC (soft structured carrier). And if you head over to http://www.babywearer.com/, you can read up on tons more besides Ergo & Beco in the Choosing a Soft Structured or Asian Inspired Carrier.

After having DD, I ended up staying a 16/18 & have LOVED my Kanga (www.bloo-kangaroo.com). The padded waist on it (and similar brands) actually eliminated some of my muffin top issues & I would say was as close to flattering as I could get wearing a carrier. I think her waitlist closed but instead of doing a custom, you could look for a used on on FSOT.

There are some great videos on the site as well as on You Tube that really help walk you through getting your LO on your back too. I find that this one:
http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/v...kangascoot.flv can be easy to get when practiced. Practice next to the couch or near the bed for awhile till you get it. The hip scoot works for any backpack type carrier pretty much.

I like the Mei Tais too, but the tying around my waist didn't help the muffin top. A nice, padded buckle waistband REALLY helped!!!!

Also-Babyhawk is coming out with a half buckle carrier this month. They are easily accessible & don't typically have a wait list. You can still pick out your fabric & colors. It will be the tie MT shoulder straps, BUT a buckled waist.

PM me if you have any other specific questions-but I find that the babywearer is the place to go. I just love that site for all things babywearing.

[lifeguard]

Another plus sized mama here who loves the ergo. It is definitely my go to carrier now & it is super easy to get ds up onto my back (the first few times I was nervous but I quickly became confident doing it). I'm about a 20/22 as well but the waistbelt on the beco wasn't long enough for me - so it must have something to do with how you're built.

[bellydancemommy]

Thank you all so much for the great suggestions! I am going to be doing my research...I did find a used ergo in my area that I might go check out tomorrow. Thank you again for responding.

[halomancer]

I am a little smaller than you and can use a Beco or Ergo with the waist strap around my hips. The straps on my Kanga XT are much longer. My DS is very long-torsoed, so I could never do a hip scoot, I flip him over my shoulder and slide him down my back. I started by setting him on a carrier on the bed (I think I saw it on the Kozy site). Find a spotter and practice putting her in a piggy back position.

[Adasmommy]

I just wanted to chime in to say that you can practice putting your baby on your back while sitting on the edge of your bed--that way there isn't far to fall and it's a soft landing!

You can also practice with something heavy like a bag of flour or rice, so you don't turn your baby against the whole idea while you get the hang of it!

Good luck, and have fun!