Grunting in Ergo?

SushiNoMore

Hi ladies!  I've recently started using the Ergo carrier with my son, and I've noticed that he grunts a LOT when he's in it.  Is this normal, or is something I should worry about?  He was a preemie, so I'm extra worried about his breathing.  

I try adjusting him all the time to see if it helps, and it doesn't seem to make a difference.  He's positioned in a way that doesn't involve slouching, I think.  He's pretty much tummy-to-tummy with me, and his head seems to be aligned well with the rest of his body.

Thanks so much! 

ncbelle

Hmmm...it's hard to say for sure without seeing him.  How big is he?  Are you using the infant insert and froggy legging him?

It might just be that he's sort of fighting against being confined - does he seem like he wants out?

But it could also be that his position isn't good.  It might be worth trying a different carrier that's easier to position a newborn in (since I'm guessing his still more newborn like being a preemie).  The ergo is great but it's not as great for the first few months.  My siggy link has some other options.

You might also see if there's a babywearing group nearby who could take a look and let you try some other things.

Bride2b2004

It might help to post a photo.  Are you doing a front carry?  I find them a little tough to do in an Ergo because of all the padding and all.  I love wraps for LOs in a front carry.

Does he seem uncomfortable?  My DS would ALWAYS poop in a carrier (guess that froggy leg position was comfy for that), could that be what your LO is doing?

ETA: Thinking back, sometimes LO do sort of a grunting noise when content (nursing, snuggling in the carrier, etc.)  What does his face look like?  Does he seem content or unhappy?

SushiNoMore

To answer your questions (I think I have them all here):

He's asleep when he's making the noises.  He seems to LOVE being in the carrier, actually.  In the NICU, we did a ton of skin-to-skin holding with him, and he's a huge snuggler now.  Is it possible that he's just happy?

He is in the infant insert, and he's froggy-legged. 

Also, the noises usually happen only when I'm walking.  Like, he lets out a little grunt with every step.  Maybe it's more like a sigh?  It's hard to describe, I guess.

I also have a vatanai wrap, and I've been working on using it today.  I THINK I have him in the front wrap cross carry okay now, and he seems to be happy.  ncbelle - I've used your website quite a bit to figure out which wraps to get.  You were really helpful a few months ago when i was trying to pick out a wrap.

Thanks to you both!  Any other thoughts are always appreciated.  

fuzzylamb

My 5 week old does the same thing in my Beco Gemini. Think its normal, since newborns have noisy breathing to begin with. She let's out a tiny grunt with each step but stops when I stop walking.