Maya wrap is killing me!!

[Rollermommy]

I've been using my Maya since dd was born (7 lbs) and now she is 3 mos. old and 17 lbs.!!! She's enormous!! I can't wear her for longer than 10 min. without feeling like my shoulder is being dislocated. I was in a dept. store last week for 30 min. and literally had to sit down in the floor because I was in so much pain. I've watched the video about a hundred times and I know Ive got it on right, so what's the deal? I'm pretty little (4'11'', 100lbs) so I try to wear it as high as possible and spread it out liberally over my shoulder. Is there something else I should be doing? Any suggestions? I hope there is a better way to do it that I'm not aware of 'cause I can't buy another sling and dd loves it so much. :

[FreeRangeMama]

The most important thing for me was to make sure the back was spread out and straight accross my back (not twisted or bunched up). Other then that, just try different positions, if one doesn't work for you try to move her around a little, sometimes just shifting the child's weight a little will make a big difference. Also, once they get a little bigger the hip position is the most comfortable, that way your hip bears some of the weight as opposed to your shoulder.
HTH
Laurie (still slinging my 32lbs 2yo )

[DaryLLL]

Maybe your shoulder is dislocated? Kind of kidding, but, really, if your back is in good shape, you should be able to wear her longer. Perhaps you should see a chiropractor? Carrying heavy babies is hard work, and you are tiny, and it can do a number on you. I went to a chiro finally, after 3 kids. My lower back was messed up.

[Clarity]

did you get yours with the free video? watch it again. Are you folding out the shoulder cap flap over the point of your shoulder? That spreads it out, but it also keeps the rings from digging into your neck. And don't have the rings TOO high, or they end up on TOP of your shoulder. You can dowload the video in pieces from the maya web site too I think.

My sis carries a 26lb 10mo ok. She does try to get a massage every few weeks because any lifting on a babe that size takes it toll, not just using the sling or not.

[bo night]

switching sides? hmm . .

it did take me a while (like six months) before i could carry dd w/out feeling it, but it was definitely not that intense. maybe just do short intervals while you build up those muscles.

i hope you figure out what the problem is soon!

[smeta]

Maybe if your babe had a huge growth spurt your body hasn't caught up to carrying her weight yet. If that's the case, it should get easier!! I find it's more uncomfortable if I have the rings up too far also - make sure they're at your armpit.

[tuscany123]

I agree, my baby is 17 lbs, and I can't do the cradle hold anymore. I wear her on my hip now, and it works a lot better. DD likes it too, she can see more of everything going on around her.

[Ravin]

Just to add, w/ the Maya you can go to the hip as soon as the babe has good head control because you can snug the fabric all the way up behind the shoulders.

If it's really not working for you, you might consider putting it up to swap on the Trading Post. I'd swap it for an ABC, they're a lot easier on the shoulders and back because the weight distribution is over both shoulders and the hips.

[aira]

DS is a big 6 m/o now and I've found that I keep spreading the fabric out more and more the bigger he gets. Now I have it almost fully covering my back and shoulder! Try not just spreading the shoulder, but also the back and around baby as much as possible.

Are you using the cradle hold? (Sorry if you said I don't remember!) DS never liked that, soI've always had him upright.

The last thing that *might* help, is that the vid says to make the pouch and put baby in and then tighten around him/her, in that order. I find that tightening the fabric first, leaving just enough room to get baby in is WAY better for us. (I'm 5'0" myself with a huge kiddo.) Just make minor adjustments once baby is in place. That way you're not endlessly girting up fabric and ending up with an akward fit.

I also recommend a *good* chiro! I see mine about once a month--more if I pull something out. It really is hard work carrying around the young'uns all day!

Hope that makes sense!! Good luck!!!

[stafl]

You've already gotten really good advice.
I have found that if I have any of the sling fabric up next to my neck, it kills my back. I have to spread the majority of the fabric down past my shoulder, and then spread it across my back, no bunching or twisting. (that's why I like them with pleated shoulders better)
Try switching sides, and different holds until you find one that works for you.
Also make sure you are carrying baby up as high as possible, if baby is too low it adds more strain on your back.
I also have to see my chiropractor fairly regularly.

moving this to babywearing forum, where maybe you'll get some more advice or a different point of view

[Artisan]

I would try the hip carry -- that was way more comfortable for me (I have problems with back pain too). And if that still doesn't work, maybe try a padded sling (works better for me) or a wrap/Kozy style sling that uses both shoulders/your waist to distribute the weight?

[mahdokht]

As soon as my littles get to about 15 pounds i switch to hip carry. It makes a very big difference.

[geekgolightly]

my back always hurt when i used a one shoulder carrier. i switched to the mobywrap www.mobywrap.com and can now walk two miles with no back strain whatsoever. i wear him all day off and on now.

[ZanZansMommy]

I have to agree with Aira Adjusting the sling fabric so you can just pop the baby in is SO much easier than pulling all that fabric. Once I figured this out I used my Maya a lot more. I am also small (5'0 & 105lbs) & I've found if I pre-set my wrap I can carry DD comfortably for about 1-1.5 hrs. I see my chiropractor daily cuz i'm married to him Good Luck!