wearing baby on back

LizBGood

How do you get over the fear of putting baby on your back? I mean... you can't see him! What if you tie wrong and your LOs nose is buried in fabric or he's flopping all around? I'd like to try it as DS is getting less content in his FCC but I'm petrified of back carries! (I would take this to thebabywearer but I don't have an account there and do here.)

Adventurers

I didn't back-carry until my DS was almost 6 months, and I practiced very carefully getting him on there in front of our big bathroom mirror or on the bed.  I probably had my hands back there holding on to him the first few times we practiced too.  After a little practice, you'll feel pretty secure with it.

pixieprincss

I started at 3 months with DS on my back, but we mostly just did it at home until he was 6 months and I was confident. We  did it lots and lots with me kneeling in the middle of the bed and looking in a mirror.

 I hope to start with this baby as a NB because back carries are just so, so amazing. In a wrap, you can wear a young baby in a very high back carry so his face is close to yours. Also, in a wrap, even if the fabric is over baby's face--it is breathable (not optimal, but not horrible). That said, I used this mirror quite a bit when we started...

https://www.rei.com/product/701052/chums-rearview-mirror

(I replaced the carabiner with a clip that I could fasten to the wrap.)

Actually, I should start using the mirror more again. I think I've gotten sloppy just going by feel. I can always check in car or store windows when those are nearby, but that isn't always the case.

KateLouise

I learnt how to do parts of the carry in stages. First I just focused on getting LO on my back, over a bed. I'd try it a few times and then stop for the day.

Then I'd move onto the next part of tying the wrap (I like a double hammock, so that meant passing the rail across my bust. Got that bit nailed, then added on the next step.

If you do it at home, and check how it looks in the mirror, and wear LO for a while you'll learn pretty quick what is comfortable for you and LO, and if you're at home then it's easy to re-tie it or simply let Lo down. 

SqueezeTheClay

I watched a lot of youtube, decided on a carry, and went for it, with the video playing.  The first few times, I was scurrying over to the mirror constantly and all hunched over, it killed my back and left me wondering if I could handle this back carry business.  The next few tries were sloppy, but I just kept at it to get the feel for it.  Within two weeks I was going for it without a mirror, without a bed, and getting comfortable with the idea of going "public", which I did finally last week after about three weeks of at home back wearing.

On thing I will mention, if you start with the double hammock which starts off-center on your wrap, the practice helped me figure out where to start on the wrap to get the knot in the right place for my body.  More importantly, I figured out that I was starting the wrap in the wrong direction for my needs, just copying the video left me feeling clumsy, once I switched the side I started on it made a world of difference. 

Nickiechan

What PP said is perfect. I'm just going to add my experience. We started back carry around 3 months. At that time I did a lot of putting baby on my back over my bed with a mirror and taking him off without our wrap. Until I got comfortable with putting him on my back then I went with the wrap. I did a carry that is pretty forgiving, which was Double Hammock in my opinion. My first attempt wasn't the best, but it gave me to confidence to keep trying and tightening. It is awesome if you can get a spotter to help you if you are concerned about how the LO is position. I also ask DH if we are out together if LO looks good... I can usually tell if he is not on there correctly. He sometimes pops his seat and I know something is up. I am working on getting a deep seat now that he is on my back. Currently I am very confidence with putting him on my back I don't think twice. He knows he is going 'up' and he is happy!

mandyjn16

Nickiechan-

I love the wrap your DH is wearing in your siggy...what is it?

Nickiechan

mandyjn16:

Nickiechan-

I love the wrap your DH is wearing in your siggy...what is it?

The wrap that my DH is wearing is the same that I am wearing in my siggy. It is Didymos Caribe Fish. it is 50% linen and cotton. It is rock solid support and we both love it!

PunkyBooster

Nearly 18 months have gone by and I have yet to try back carrying. I don't know that I would attempt this with a 2 month old.

Jill+Dave

Never have done the back carry as I have long hair & don't usually wear it pulled up. So I wouldn't want my hair in their face or them pulling on it.

However I saw a woman yesterday at the mall back carrying her son in an Ergo & felt awful for him.  Little guy fell asleep & his head was just hanging backwards with absolutely no support.