But like all parents, I get my share of backaches.
That's why babywearing properly is so important. You wouldn't believe the number of times I have heard, "I tried babywearing, but the Baby Bjorn hurt me once my baby got too big." True, true. The Bjorn is quite the popular backache inducer.
During our Local Festival, we paired with local chiropractor and mama Dr. Dolly Garnecki to learn the basics for babywearing and back health. She instructed us: no matter what we're doing with our lovely babies, we should try to keep our backs happy. And that means balance: there should be an almost straight line vertically from our ears to our hips to our heels. And babywearing doesn't always seem to provide that.There are fantastic alternatives to the Bjorn, and this is what you have to know about a few of them and how they interact with back health:
Ring Sling or Pouch carriers: These are mighty easy for those new to babywearing, hence their popularity. This type of carrier is not so intimidating, as you literally "sling" it over your shoulder and pop your little pea in its pod. Back Up: For a healthy happy back with these carriers, make sure to switch shoulders if used for longtime wear. This may be tricky for those of us who are not ambidexterous, as we tend to favor one hip, one shoulder, etc. Dr. Dolly suggests practice: grab the groceries with the "opposite" hand, or wear your purse on the "other" side. You'll hopefully soon feel comfy with the carrier on either shoulder.
Wraparound Baby Carriers: Ahh! My favorite carrier when Baby E was a newbie. I loved that he was close to my
body and I could actually load the dishwasher without feeling like he'd fall out. Wraps consist of a long piece of fabric. And though I was initially intimidated by all that fabric, after all of, um, 2 times tying, I was hooked. The type of fabric you want depends on your babywearing needs. Stretchy (like the Moby, Wrapsody Bali Stretch, or the locally made NiNo) fabric is great because it has a large learning curve. If you get it a bit twisted in your wrapping experimentation, you and baby will still feel great. Some stretchy wraps may feel like they loosen up when baby gets heavier, though Moby enthusiasts say there's a tie for every baby, no matter how heavy. Woven wraps (like other Wrapsody carriers and Storchenweige) are generally made of woven fabrics, and can therefore feel more durable: perfect for those heavy tots. Totally comfortable, especially when you master these pretty fabrics. Back Up: For all wraps, you want balance. That's the point, as they tie over both shoulders. They're great for longtime wear with very little adjustment. If you choose a woven wrap, you'll want to make sure the fabric is neat across your body, so it doesn't pinch any nerves. Overall, I loved my Moby and only passed it on because I also love my pregnant friend!Pack Carriers: Ergo is the most recognized brand of this type of carrier, but other notables are Beco, Action Baby, and now even Phil & Ted's has gotten into the carrier trend. The beauty of these carriers is that they adjust well between moms and dads, they provide a "seat" for baby, they can handle heavy toddlers, and they evenly distribute the weight. The buckles allow you to correctly position baby so you're both happy, and there's a reason these might remind you of a backpack: they're perfect for backpacking and hiking with your little one. Back Up: Dr. Garnecki reminds us that they should help us with our own posture, not only whether baby is comfy. Make sure that once baby is on, you still have that straight line between ear-hip-heel.
Mei Tais: I could go on all day about how much I love my BabyHawk. This is only one brand in a wide array of mei tais. Other notables are the Free Hand, the locally made Kozy, Ball Baby, and Ellaroo. After I "graduated" from the Moby (though Baby E and I could certainly go back; I loved that wrap!), I knew a mei tai was my next step. A couple ties, and that's it! They distribute weight well and, like the pack carriers, can handle quite the heavy kiddo. Back Up: I prefer this over a pack carrier because I feel like I'm babying my previous back problems, as I am in control of the ties and therefore the balance of weight. This may not be true for everyone, but if you choose a mei tai, simply make sure you're adjusted evenly, so there's no pinching. These are also great for longtime wear and family hikes.Now, friends, the only part of babywearing that should be "painful" is hearing that sweet baby whimpering when he's taken off...don't you agree?
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