How long can you wear baby before YOU get tired?

[chix99]

So I've been on this thread for Pikkolo advice (thanks for all the help Ladies!!) and I think I'm starting to "get it."

But here's my question, after wearing baby (Who is 4 months old and about 13.5 lbs) for more than 20 minutes FFI, my shoulders start to hurt. Not horrible, but I do feel it. IF it makes a difference, I am walking the whole time because baby won't let me sit either.

Is this normal? If not, is it the carrier, or the way I'm using it (wrong)?

I just want to "troubleshoot" and make sure that it's not that I'm using it the wrong way or maybe that I need another carrier for my bodytype.

Thanks!

[MommaShark]

Hi,
On my front I can carry my 16 pound almost 6 month old for hours....but I get a snug fit! That's how she naps - on my front while I walk. I started when she was 2 weeks and have worked my way up to long carries.....the Pikkolo is very adjustable - but maybe you're not getting it quite right....either a photo (use mirror) or visiting a brick/mortar store that carries baby carriers would help...w/o photo I can't help much

[Bokonon]

I wore my 20 lb. 8mo in a BabyHawk-style Mei Tai for 3 hours this morning, walking the whole time, up and down hills at the zoo. I was very comfortable and so was she! I had the stroller with me, so if my back had hurt at all, I would have put her in it, but honestly it never even crossed my mind!

[MamaPhD]

I can wear my DD (13 mo 22 lb) in Ergo in the front easily for 1 hour when we go grocery/mall shopping.

[BrittneyMarie]

I can wear my 4 mo 13.5 lb dd for hours in a moby without hurting, and i have back issues to begin with.

[Quirky]

Babywearing is definitely an activity that requires physical strength so the more you do it, the stronger you will get! Make sure baby is snugged up against you, bottom no lower than your waist -- think high and tight, not low and loose. It should get easier with time and practice -- although people with pre-existing conditions or tendencies to back/shoulder/neck pain may always find that they don't have the stamina other people do.

So it's best not to compare yourself to other people so much as to compare yourself to yourself -- just like working out -- are you getting stronger over time? Is it more comfortable over time particularly as you tweak the adjustments to ensure the best fit? Are you paying attention to your posture and making sure to stand/move in ergonomic ways? Are you paying attention to your overall physical health, making sure you get some exercise? Etc.

[chix99]

Thanks to all the feedback. Very interesting and lots to think about. Sounds like a combo of making sure I"m wearing her correctly as well as building up my own endurance.

Thanks!

[MamaPhD]

Yeah, quirky has good points now that I think about it. I've been wearing my DD since she was abour 2-3 months old and now she is 13 mo, so I did have some practive, huh?

[almadianna]

Half a day easy, but my body is used to it. I think you have to develop those muscles for sure!

[thtr4me]

Wearing for longer times is definitely something you have to work up to if you have not worn for long periods before. Its funny, I can tell when DS has a growth spurt, because all of a sudden, I get sooo tired wearing him for a normal amount of time. I'll stick him in a scale, and sure enough, he will have gained a pound or two since the last time I weighed him. It usually takes me a week or two to adjust to his additional weight.

[junipervt]

Originally Posted by almadianna

Half a day easy, but my body is used to it. I think you have to develop those muscles for sure!

just what I was going to say. I can carry DD much longer than DH can & he is pretty strong. We've realized that carrying babies/toddlers must use different muscles than installing wondows.

[FelixMom]

You have received excellent advice. Keep baby as high as possible, and snugly close to you, whatever the carrier.

Gradually build up the length of time you carry your baby to build up the endurance. you'll get there eventually!

Half a day is not a problem, and for two winters I did tandem babywearing, with a newborn and 20-month old totalling 20lbs. The first few times, my knees complained, but then I got used to it.

Good luck

[ann_of_loxley]

Really depends on childs age and how often you wear them.

If for example, worn all-day-long from birth... then you could really wear them all day long indeffinately almost (your body just slowly builds up its stregth to their slow and gradual weight gain). If you just wear here and there though, then it might not always be the case.

For me - as a baby...all day long. As a toddler...for quite a few hours until I got tired.
I had to stop wearing my son though at 45lbs because that was just my limit! lol

[GoBecGo]

If for example, worn all-day-long from birth... then you could really wear them all day long indeffinately almost (your body just slowly builds up its stregth to their slow and gradual weight gain).

This was very true for me. I wore DD daily from birth to about 13 months, then at least 4-5x/week for another 8 or 9 months, and it was only when i dropped to 2 or less x/week that i began to "feel" it when i wore her. The more you do the easier it gets My dad likened it to the story (biblical?) about the calf...anyone know it?

[goobergrl6]

I wore my almost 2 yo 28lb ds yesterday around DC for about 3 hrs in a Beco. It has been a while since I used it so I did feel it some...then I realized I forgot to snap the chest strap. LOL It was MUCH better after that and tightening the waist strap.