My shoulders kill!

[MeredithK]

DS has decided he likes to be worn now. Which is great as it provides another nap place. He is 6 months and weighs about 15 lbs. He's a pretty small guy. I have a moby, baby k'tan, ring sling, and a Pikkolo. The pikkolo is the most comfortable, but my shoulders are killing me. I wore him in the front for an hour today and l thought I was going to die.

I can't imagine wearing him as he gets bigger. I was having flashbacks to being a kid carrying a super heavy backpack!

Are all SSCs like that? Is it something that comes with babywearing or is it me? I love wearing him, but I don't want to hurt myself in the process.

[ElaynesMom]

I can easily carry my 26 lb 2.5 year old in our ergo for 1-2 hours, maybe more. It has a structured waist belt (that actually sits at your hips, not your waist) and it transfers most of the weight off your shoulders onto you hips. You can buy an add on structured support belt for your pikkolo, it's made by the same company.

Oh, and back carriers will probably start to be more comfy for you as you lo is getting bigger. Just practice on a bed or couch for awhile if you're nervous.

[MeredithK]

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if the support belt still works with a front facing in carry? I can't quite picture how that would work with the crossed straps.

It makes sense that my shoulders hurt as all the weight is carried there. Are my hips even supposed to be carrying any of the weight?

[sncmom]

I had lots of shoulder and neck pain with my ring sling and baby bjorn. But I found the ergo much, MUCH more comfortable. I can easily carry my DD for hours in it. I agree with the PP that the difference is that almost all the weight is on your hips instead of shoulders. Good luck.

[Sk8ermaiden]

I definitely think you should experiment and find what works for you.

I can wear the Beco with very little shoulder pain.

My mei tai gives me major shoulder pain after an hour.

I wore a Didymos wrap for 6 hours with zero shoulder or back pain.

My baby is about 16 lbs. I do MUCH prefer back carries - the front ones always seem to hurt at this weight.

Th Pikkolo does front facing outward, right? You weren't doing that were you? That would kill for sure!

[ElaynesMom]

Originally Posted by MeredithK

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if the support belt still works with a front facing in carry? I can't quite picture how that would work with the crossed straps.

It makes sense that my shoulders hurt as all the weight is carried there. Are my hips even supposed to be carrying any of the weight?

The support belt doesn't go anywhere near the shoulder straps, you thread the waist belt through the add on support belt to make the waist a structured waist. You can still wear your baby on the front facing in with the straps crossed in the back, but you wouldn't be able to use the support belt with a front facing out carry.

Here is a picture of the support belt on the pikkolo, though the pictures are a bit small:

http://www.catbirdbaby.com/support-belt-pikkolo-carrier

I'd see if the support belt/back carries make a difference for you before purchasing a whole other carrier. The support belt is only 22 dollars.