How comfortable is babywearing REALLY on your back?

DoubleFlyaway · September 2010

Back pain is something I've dealt with on a daily basis since a car accident in 1998. My injuries were only muscular, and I'm much better than I was at first. And it's been years since I've had to miss work or anything. But I still have more pain than most 32-year-olds.

I really like the idea of using a carrier frequently, and I've been reading reviews on various ones. I'm leaning toward an Ergo right now, and people talk about how comfortable it is. But... is it? Really? Is there anyone here who has used one of these a fair amount and who deals with back issues? Does this aggravate your back?

madhatter2003 · September 2010

If you have the right one they are wonderful. I had a baby ktan with DS (similar to a moby wrap, but easier to use) and I could wear him for hours without even feeling it in my back.

The bjorn sucked big time. It hurt within a few minutes...I could never get comfortable.

I never tried the Ergo but everyone I know loves them that has one. They have great resale value too, you can always try one and sell it later if it doesn't work.

maelli3 · September 2010

Love my Ergo for the back carry. I couldn't lug my 30-pound toddler without it.

papagena · September 2010

DH has chronic back pain, but loved wearing DS in his pikolo (a soft structured carrier fairly similar to the Ergo). He got a back support belt with it (that attached to it), which possibly helped him with the back pain. He wore DS for extended periods. As he got older & heavier it aggravated his back a bit more, but when we went out all day when DS was about 6 months or so, he wore him the entire time and said he wasn't having any issues.

Lets be honest, you'll be carrying them anyway, it's probably more comfortable to be doing it in a SSC like an Ergo (or wrap/Moby/sling, etc) than carting around the infant seat or holding them (honestly, it's harder on my back to hold DS than to wear him and be hands free & have more range of movement).

Beccaboo0713 · September 2010

Like others stated, if you use the right one it's great. After DS got a certain weight the Moby really started straining my back but the Ergo was fabulous.

mags1984 · September 2010

I have an Ergo and it is very comfortable, i have always had slight back issues and carring my first DD was next to impossible without pain, but with my DS i bought an Ergo and it made a huge difference i love it for park/zoo trips.

LittleApple · September 2010

I have the ergo and have no issues lugging around my 2 year old. I had the Baby Bjorn and that thing killed my back!!

MrsTotty · September 2010

I have chronic back pain from a similar incident and I absolutely love my Ergo. If he would tolerate it, I would STILL carry my 33lb kiddo around in it.

VTbride05 · September 2010

My son is 27lbs and I still carry him in the Ergo. It can be great, but if you already suffer from back pain than it may bother you. Try it though. We have a great local group of moms who meet once a month as a "babywearing club"... it's a great place to try new carriers and new holds. GL!

RayRay007 · September 2010

For those of you that don't like the Bjorn, did you have the Active? It appears to have good back support and I wonder if that would make a Baby Bjorn Active Carrier difference.

I just spent $200 on one as a gift for a friend and I don't want to find out it sucks!

cosmobella · September 2010

I suffer from back pain too. I loved the Moby when LO was smaller and didn't have much pain with using the cradle hold. We got an Ergo when he got bigger. It did bother my back after a while with the baby in the front position but I felt much better with him in the back position. DH had no issues either way. I'm 5'1" so my opinion is that the Ergo doesn't fit my dimensions as well. Either way I think its a great carrier.

missfire · September 2010

I have chronic lower back problems and am close to needing surgery. I wore DS comfortably in a Moby up until about 3 months, when I threw my back out again and was unable to carry him, sit to nurse or drive, etc. for more than a month.

I think at first, you will have lost so much pregnancy weight that front-carrying just an infant is pretty easy. Carrying the baby in the infant seat is horrible - it gets heavy so fast, and you're carrying it all on one side instead of evenly distributing the weight.

I don't attribute my back episode at 3 months to carrying DS in the Moby -- I think it was that I wasn't working my muscles back into shape fast enough, was sitting too often when nursing & when he slept, and was carrying around the infant carrier too much. This time, assuming my back holds up through pregnancy, I'm going to start physical therapy proactively after delivery, sit less, and rely on the Moby or stroller for carrying the baby.

andrea922 · September 2010

We have the bjorn active and used it till ds was 18 months, and it never bothered either of our backs. We also have en ergo, and a moby, and I am looking into getting a woven wrap for the next one. None of them bothered my back at all, and we used the ergo until ds was 2.

DoubleFlyaway · September 2010

Thanks guys, this is really reassuring. It totally makes sense that I'm going to be carrying the baby one way or another, so I should do it in a well designed carrier.

Do you think that just the Ergo is enough, or do I need a Moby wrap kind, too, like for when the baby is smaller or because I think you can nurse in that type but not the structured type. (?? I don't know if that perception is right.)

ncbelle · September 2010

With the right carrier, babywearing is very comfortable. I still wear my 26 pound toddler for a 3 mile walk everyday and whenever I'd otherwise use a stroller. I have lots of info in my siggy on carrier types and what to look for.

Sadly, many of the carriers sold at BRU, Target, etc suck :-( Although more places are starting to carry the Ergo now which is great. Lots of good carriers are available at online retailers though ;-)

RayRay007:
For those of you that don't like the Bjorn, did you have the Active? It appears to have good back support and I wonder if that would make a difference.

I just spent $200 on one as a gift for a friend and I don't want to find out it sucks!

Sorry - all Bjorns suck for the price - and for $200 there are far better carriers that will allow you to back carry easily and position baby correctly as well. Can you return it and get something else??

veggiegirl528 · September 2010

I'm pregnant with my first so I can't comment on the specific carrier, but as someone who has done a lot of backpacking (carrying 35-40 pounds) and hiking, getting a pack with a hip-belt (preferably a padded one) greatly reduces the stress on your back. When adjusted correctly your hips end up bearing more of the weight rather than all of it being it on your back.

erbear · September 2010

I find a back carry and a hip carry very comfortable, even with a toddler and pregnant.

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