I have always loved the idea of babywearing. Well, not always--it never even occurred to me with my first two (ages 11 and 15). But when I got pregnant with third, 10 years after my second, one of the first things I did was buy a sling.
After DD2 was born, I tried wearing her, on and off, for about 5 months. I was miserable. I hurt. She hated it. We were both uncomfortable. It just wasn't working for us. I handed the sling over to my best friend shortly before her baby was born (9 mos after my DD2).
She wore her DS more diligently that I wore my DD2, but she had the same complaints I did. So, she set about looking for another sling, and in the process, she found that my original sling (a pouch by Lucky Baby) was sized too big for either of us. She ordered a different sling (don't remember which), sized it correctly and wears her baby ALL the time and loves it.
I tried her sling on, but still found that the simply fact that slings hang on one shoulder causes me a great deal of discomfort. I have TMJ and all of the neck, back and shoulder pains that go along with it. So, I figured that I might fare better with a soft-structured carrier that distributed the weight evenly. After much research, I decided to bite the bullet and order a Beco Butterfly.
I've had it for about 2 weeks now and I have to say I have almost no complaints. My DD2 will be 1 yr old in 2 weeks. She's 25 lbs, wiggly and solid. She hated the pouch, but loves to be carried in the Beco. I can do just about anything with her on my front or back, including house cleaning, exercising, cooking, laundry, you name it...Sometimes, if I don't have all of the straps adjusted just right (like, if someone else in the family has been wearing her and so my "standard" adjustments are changed), I'll get some pain in my nect and shoulder. And if I don't watch my posture if I'm standing for a long period of time with her on my front, my lower back will catch, but I think that has more to do with me being out of shape. LOL
Anyway, I say all of that to say this: I was very discouraged with baby-wearing when my DD was younger. But once I was able to find a carrier that worked with my body and our needs, I am so happy with it. I can't imagine how I managed to get through the last year without my Beco.