[punkinsmommy]

Has anyone else had back pain from wearing a Maya Wrap sling?

I have been using a Maya wrap with my son since he was born. He's now 20 months. I want to keep wearing him in a sling of sorts for as long as possible. He's small, just barely 20 pounds, so I should be able to continue for quite some time.

However, a week or so ago I wore him in the sling while I walked around the mall. DS was asleep, and I had flip flops on which I'm sure contributed to the situation. A few hours after the mall I ended up with the worst sciatic back pain I have ever had. Next to childbirth it was the most painful thing I have experienced. It hurt for 2 days.

Dh pointed out that I had similar, albeit not as bad, pain the time before that from using the Maya.

I want to continue to wear my ds, but if the Maya is going to give me this pain I'm going to have to switch or stop or something. A friend of mine has suggested a Moby, because it won't weigh on one side. DO you think that would help?

 

[cmmrk1974]

Jess,

I think carrying a 20-lber in a MayaWrap for more than 20 minutes or so would cause many moms back pain. I couldn't do it! I need a carrier that distributes weight over both shoulders, like a Mei Tai, a woven wrap, or an Ergo. So I sort of agree with your friend... a wrap would help distribute your son's weight better, but I would go with a woven wrap, not a stretchy like the Moby. A woven wrap will offer better support.

 

[LianneM]

I wear my DS - 18mo, 21-22 lbs - in a maya frequently, and often for an hour or two at a time. The only time I have discomfort is if he's really squirmy and getting it off balance. I find that if I can keep it spread over my shoulder and across my back, I feel ok. If he falls asleep I swing him around to the front so he's in the center of my body, not on the side, and that helps too. For times he really wants to see out I put him in the Maya Tie (mei tai) and he loves it. I usually wear him on my back but sometimes the front. It uses both shoulders and also wraps around the waist, so it's very balanced.

 

[lilylove]

I also have a 20mo 20lber. I use a Maya or other rs with him often. I find a MT or wrap to be easier on my back for long periods of wearing him, but it's not too bad with a rs. I just have to be very carefull about how it is spread and remember to wear him nice and high. A good rule of thumb is butt-bellybutton, they should be roughly the same hieght.