Ergo back carry, I don't get it

[maptome]

I can't figure out how to get DD (7 months, 21 pounds) on my back by myself. I watched the video on the Ergo website, but I can't do that. Any tips? Do I need to lean forward when trying to get her on?

[Drummer's Wife]

Try it over a bed, so you feel more comfy. Strap the waist belt on, toss baby on your back (with practice, it gets really easy), hold baby and lean forward, then pull up the arm straps. Can you have someone spot you the first few times until you have it down? What will happen is that your LO will learn the drill, and will hold on tight and make it easier.

Maybe watch a few more videos, on youtube? Just to see different techniques.

[maptome]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

Maybe watch a few more videos, on youtube? Just to see different techniques.

Thanks for reminding me about youtube. Duh, self. I watched some videos, but all of the babies seem so still. My babe leans back, wiggles her arms and legs, and pushes me away. We'll keep practicing. Thanks!

[ASusan]

I had DS face away from me, and I flipped him over my head onto my back - saying, "Superbaby!" while I leaned forward. And then pulled up the straps around. But, yea, he was sorta still and seemed to know that he was supposed to hold still while he was on my back and I was pulling the straps around.

[AFWife]

I lay the Ergo down (on the bed works well) and place DS on it. I sit and strap the waist strap (loose at first), lean back and put my arms through, and sit up and pull him up with me. Then I strap the chest strap, stand, and tighten the waist strap. It's the easiest way I've found to do it.

[Michigan Mama]

Originally Posted by AFWife

I lay the Ergo down (on the bed works well) and place DS on it. I sit and strap the waist strap (loose at first), lean back and put my arms through, and sit up and pull him up with me. Then I strap the chest strap, stand, and tighten the waist strap. It's the easiest way I've found to do it.

nak

i did it this way at first but on the couch...

[jenneology]

I had a really hard time with it at first too and was scared to try again for a long time. With my son I waited until he was a year old and then he was so nervous because he realized that I was nervous. I tried a few months later and it was easier to do. Then with my little girl, I was comfortable putting her on my back at 3 months old. Now its really easy. For me it was a matter of practice.

[lifeguard]

I could never figure out the over the head thing with ds.

I put the waist strap on & on of the shoulder straps loosened (usually the right one). Then I pick ds up on the opposite hip (left) & reach around my back with my arm that is in the shoulder strap (right) & grab his foot (right). Once I securely have his foot I shimmy him around my hip towards my back & under my arm & lean forward. Then I just need to pull the remaining shoulder strap (left) on & couple bounces & strap tightening later he's in.

This video shows what I mean (of course she is using the opposite hip than what I described - sorry).

[HarperRose]

After fastening the waist strap, I wing the kid over my shoulder, lean way forward so they're almost flat on me, then put it on like a jacket.

It took A LOT of practice, though! And I can NOT do one arm, then the kid, then the other arm. Entirely too confusing and it feels unsafe to me.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

We use one of two techniques.

1. Put on ergo, put one strap up, put baby on hip, lean forward, shimmy baby across back, pull up other strap

2. Sit on couch, have baby stand behind you with hands on shoulders with one foot on either side of ergo, arrange ergo, put straps over shoulders, stand

[Super~Single~Mama]

I did it the way the showed on the video - do the waist strap like you were going to put baby on your hip. Then hold the straps (with baby laying back in the carrier) and scoot the ergo around to your back. Then do the straps.

It was easy after the first few tries, and I could even do it myself when baby was screaming and fighting (he always calms down on my back - getting him there is a trick sometimes though!).

[maptome]

This video worked for me, finally!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fngwvv7lOQ

[Drummer's Wife]

Yay! Glad you figured it out. With practice, it gets easy enough to do in your sleep ;-)