Starting to back carry?

=Lee=B · October 2013

Ok, silly question.

I wear my daughter in a Manduca. She is 7 months, about 27", 17lbs can sit unsupported for 30plus minutes before flopping over. I carry her when out of the house (she is very happy sitting on the floor playing or hanging off mom and dad while home). I still front carry her and she seems to still love it and I haven't noticed any back pain etc.

When would I be best to start back carry? Should I start now in small spurts so she gets used to it? Or just wait until front isn't working anymore? I really love having her on front...she loves the kisses and cuddles and I can see what she is looking at (everything these days) I can watch for tired cues and get her to nap in there etc.

So basically I am wondering if I should be starting to ease into a back carry or if I can soak up all the front carry I can then switch when needed.

=Lee=B · October 2013

I think I have a small fear she will like the back carry and then resist the front carry!

pixieprincss · October 2013

I think you are fine to heed what your body and baby are telling you. If she's happy and your happy--great! That said, she certainly is an age and size where a back carry would be fine. I think a great place to try back carries is around the house. You can work on getting her back there over a bed, you have easy access to mirrors, and it is much easier to do things around the house with baby on the back instead of the front. You can also start building up your muscles so when she's bigger and heavier, you'll be ready to pass her back there with more frequency and ease.

I will say that my boys have been fine to switch between back, front, and hip carries, especially if nursing is still on the table! Even my 2.5 year old asks to be wrapped on my front when he's scared. I can't walk too much with him there, and he no longer nurses, but I sit and give him cuddles. My 14 month old goes back, front, or hip depending on who's wearing him and what kind of carrier we have on hand. I wrap him back usually, but front if he's nursing. DH wraps him on the front, but will use an MT on his back with him.