MT Back Carry

[matts_mamamama]

Ok, I've seen all of the instructions, but I think I must still be missing something! Are my babes arms supposed be tucked in or outside of the straps???? He seems too scrunched up with his arms in and I can't seem to get him up high or snug enough. UGH. Front carry is no big deal (except I can't get things done! lol)

[Caryliz]

Kelley has posted really great instructions for a *high* back carry on the Kozy site: http://www.kozycarrier.homestead.com...tml#anchor_118 (and scroll down to "high back carry"). These were the only really clear ones I could find for a high back carry.

As for arms in vs. arms out, it depends on the age of your babe. Once they can support their own heads, it becomes a matter of personal preference. My ds ALWAYS has to have his hands out or he squirms and fusses something terrible! (Just make sure, if you have long hair, that you tie it up or put it in a scarf, or those hands will do nothing but pull and play with Mommy's hair )

Good luck!

[Jenlaana]

I love my mei tei, and we don't take our daughter anywhere in public without using the front carry. That being said, I still have NO CLUE how to do the back carry. Is that high carry for a newborn? My daughter is 4 1/2 months old now and can hold her head etc. I put her on my back one day and I don't know if I did it wrong, or squished her or what but she screamed bloody murder like I'd never heard before and I haven't done it again.

Man, I really wish there was a mei tei expert that I could walk up to and ask for "live" help. ugh

[Caryliz]

Originally Posted by Jenlaana

Man, I really wish there was a mei tei expert that I could walk up to and ask for "live" help. ugh

Is there a babywearing group or NINO chapter near you? They could help!

Where do you live? If you are in or near NYC, come join us at slingsinthecity.com! Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 21. There will be lots of "mei tai experts" in attendance!

If that doesn't help, try looking under "Find your tribe" here on MDC. I know there are others out there!

[Jenlaana]

I'll have to check the find your tribe area. Unfortunately I'm in SC, and about to move into the middle of nowhere part of SC (town we're moving to has 500 people in it)

Are there any really great mei tei wearing videos or anything? Maybe I should just take a ton of pictures of me attempting it and you guys can tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Its just frustrating because I LOVE my mei tei and the way it fits and how happy my daughter is in it and how comfortable we both are together (I could go on for days on how great it is!) I just can't do much with her in the front carry.

[Caryliz]

[QUOTE=Jenlaana]
Are there any really great mei tei wearing videos or anything? Maybe I should just take a ton of pictures of me attempting it and you guys can tell me what I'm doing wrong. [QUOTE]

Actually, yes, there is a babywearing DVD ! It's about $25 plus shipping. Go to http://www.tummy2tummy.com and check it out. (I think you can download free clips off the site if you want to see more of what it's about.)

And if you want to post pix, I'm sure lots of people would be happy to help!

Good luck --

[cmmrk1974]

Originally Posted by Jenlaana

Its just frustrating because I LOVE my mei tei and the way it fits and how happy my daughter is in it and how comfortable we both are together (I could go on for days on how great it is!) I just can't do much with her in the front carry.

Which part is giving you the most trouble - getting her on your back? Which method are you using to get her on your back?

I first started MT back carries when Leo was about 4 months, and it did take some time before I felt really comfortable doing it.

Originally Posted by matts_mamamama

Ok, I've seen all of the instructions, but I think I must still be missing something! Are my babes arms supposed be tucked in or outside of the straps???? He seems too scrunched up with his arms in and I can't seem to get him up high or snug enough. UGH. Front carry is no big deal (except I can't get things done! lol)

whichever your baby prefers! Leo didn't care where his arms were for a long time... but after he got to be maybe 9 months he wants to have his arms out all the time... so he can grab everything we pass by

[Jenlaana]

I'm going to check out that tape.

I thought I was doing it right by seeing an explanation on the babywearer, but admitedly, I was alone so it was really tough to see. I basically tied it around my waist like I would for the front, put her in it, and then slid it around under my arm and crossed the arms over my shoulders across my chest around the back and then back around to the front and tied below my breasts. I got her up there and got it tied, but she screamed bloody murder, even after walking around for a couple of minutes to try to adjust her to it. I don't know if she was pinched somewhere or scared or didn't like it or I did it wrong or what. Was so hard to figure out with just a mirror and a stack of pillows as my help.

[Caryliz]

It *sounds* like you are doing it correctly, but as you said, she could have been pinched or just frightened. It's hard to tell without someone standing next to you to check out what you've done! Still, might be worth another shot when dd is rested, fed, and in a good mood.

It took me forever to master the back wrap (and I still wouldn't call myself a master!) because ds had a fit every time I swung him onto my back. I thought it was me, but I think now he just wasn't used to it and it scared him a little. But the first time I got him into the correct position and secured tightly without fussing, he was so excited by this new position that he chortled and screeched and swung his legs all the way down 4 flights of stairs! So hang in there and keep trying!

[cmmrk1974]

Originally Posted by Jenlaana

I basically tied it around my waist like I would for the front, put her in it, and then slid it around under my arm

Do you mean that you started like a front carry, and then rotated the carrier and your DD around to the back? I'm trying to envision it... that sounds like a good technique... never tried that! My concern with doing it that way, I think, is that when I do a MT back carry, I like to have DS up high. So what I do is tie the waist straps first, and tie right under my boobs. I then hold DS in front of me, so that we are facing the same direction, and lift him over my shoulder and onto my back. I've found that doing this "Santa Claus" or "shoulder toss" method helps to get him higher on my back, which is both more comfortable for me, and allows DS a much better view of what's going on - this makes him a lot happier!

Here's a video I did for a friend of getting DS on my back. Keep in mind he's about 11 months here... but if your DD is 4 1/2 months with good head control, you should be able to do this too
http://www.pittsburghnino.com/mtback.wmv

Here's another one - this is the start of a rucksack with a wrap but it's the same idea.
http://www.pittsburghnino.com/ruckback.wmv

It helps if you can try to do this in front of a mirror. Another idea to throw out there - if you have a digital camera and it takes video, see if there's somewhere you can put the camera and record your attempt... it can be really helpful to then see what you're doing!

[Jenlaana]

Christy, are those links working? It said page not found when I just checked.

[cmmrk1974]

sorry about that - fixed links.

[Attached Mama]

so glad you all posted this stuff - i just tried the back carry today with DD and found it really uncomfy. We love the front carry - well, she liked to be on my back, just felt 2x as heavy to me. I feel like I couldn't get her tied closely enough to me so the weight was hanging off of me. Will try some of the tips

We love the mai tai tho!! DD doesn't like the sling too much 'cause her feet have to be free and I find she gets heavy quicker in the hip carry with it. I can carry her forever in the mei tai tho. And she doesn't even mind being all snuggly in it which surprised me as she usually is like the PP 9 mo old who has to have hands free to touch everything in sight.