Slings for someone with a bad back?

[cwsmum]

I need to get something to carry DD in. The problem is I have a curved spine, not too bad but enough that the normal Bjorn type pouches make my back hurt after about 20mins.
Has anyone else got a curved spine and used a sling of some sort?
What would you all use/recommend? Do you get a sore back at all?

DD is almost 11mths old and around 10kg.

[the_queen]

I've got terrible posture and am way too fat, so I have a "bad back" and I LOVE my Hug-A-Bub. It is wonderful, distributes the weight evenly and doesn't dig in anywhere (well, it does if you tie it wrong. Luckily it comes with an instructional DVD!)

http://www.hugabub.com

Oh, also my boy is about 8.5kgs. They're fantastic for newborns but can be used up to 2 yrs old (of course I think that depends on how comfortable it is for the parent). Also look at http://www.wearyourbaby.com which can give you an overview of all types of slings/carriers, and give you answers to pretty much any babywearing question you have!! :thumbsup:

[reAllytee]

Being that you have a curved spine you may be best to speak with a physio in regards to how much weight you can carry etc first.
My DP had scoliosis as a child which went through until he was in his teens before anyone did anything & by then his spine had already broken because it wasnt monitored so he had done all the wrong things etc.
So i would definately have that looked at first but if you get the all clear i would go for a Hug-A-Bub they are great ! I actually have one thats home made by the wonderful Lunar on here & she actually sells them if you want to PM her !
Otherwise i also have my ring sling i bought from a WAHM off ebay & its been my life saver ! I got one of the front carry packs & couldnt use it once Boof reached 2mths because he was too heavy & my back couldnt take it. I spoke with a few people on here who advised me a ring sling could help me carry him still so even though i was a little unsure i got one & tried it out & havent looked back !
I still use it now with Boof at 19mths & 14kgs !!!! I use it in the hip carry position with no dramas & he loves it because it means he doesnt have to go in the stroller LOL ! I even used it the whole day at the Easter Show when Boof was 12mths & 12kgs & it was fine.
If possible maybe there is someone who lives near you who can let you have a lend to see what your comfy with :detective:
Good luck !

[draught]

Another sling/pouch to look at is the ergo baby carrier. It has a hip band so distributes the weight evenly - their website is www.ergobabycarrier.com and a great Australian distributor and WAHM is www.carryingaway.com.au

[SilverStarfish]

I don't have any back troubles, but I just wanted to add my support for Hugabub. Sarah's 8kg and I can quite comfortable carrying her all day in it when on marathon shopping trips :o

[Duchessa]

Hugabub & Ergo are the most highly recommended for bad backs from my research. You need to find one that redistributes the weight to the hips and keeps the baby's weight close to your body. Baby Bjorns don't have a good rap for backs...

[aardvark]

I have spondylolisthesis, basically an unstable spine, and I LOVE my hug-a-bub.

Bub is 8.5 months, 10.5kg, and in it frequently.

[popchex]

I'll agree that the hug-a-bub is a good choice. I have an American version of it called the Moby Wrap, and I LOVE it. My neck and shoulder are my problem so I can't use a one-sided sling/carrier, and I can carry my son (7.5kg at 3 months!) around in it with no problems for a good portion of the day. Good luck with your search!

[asmallmum]

I found a new sling on the market called a Bubzilla sling that really helped with my bad back. It was wider across the back than the other slings so the weight was evenly distributed. I could't live without it!
www.bubzilla.com.au

[AM]

I would definitely give Amanda at 'carryingaway' a call, she has studied stuff to do with posture etc, i'm not sure exactly the qualification, but she sells 'millions' of slings and carriers, she's GREAT!!

[Pippi Longstocking]

I have a dodgy back (broken tailbone and lower back issues caused by an altercation with a car - the car won!) and I use a Maya wrap with no problems (my baby is over 11kgs). I have never used a hug-a-bub but have heard brilliant things about them. The baby bjorn style carriers are awful, they put so much pressure on your back and shoulders, they hurt me after a couple of minutes.

[Shanaynay]

I have a "Bubba Moe" sling which I use, and I have a slight curvature of the spine.
I don't find it hurts my back, but I do get achey shoulders quite quickly. I think the Bubba Moe sling skips the back and tends to load alot of the weight onto collarbone and shoulders. Which is good if you have a bad back... but still not very comfortable!

[~Mands~]

I didn't know Baby Bjorns were known for giving people sore backs... I have one which I wear ALOT! I havent had any problems with it at all, only when the straps havent been adjusted to meet in the middle of my back iykwim. I thought I had a pretty bad back too :confused:

Oh and my son weighs 7.83 kgs.

[Shanaynay]

Oh, that just reminded me, I too have an Infantino carrier, similar in style to Baby Bjorn. I only get a sore back after wearing it for about 3 hours. All the weight is distributed between your shoulder blades, I think that helps.

[pookiesossige]

I don't have a bad back, but I bet I would after using some of the baby carriers on the market!
I love, love, LOVE my hug-a-bub! I love how the weight is distributed across the hips and that it's made from cotton and is super-breathable in summer. As I just mentioned in another thread, it makes a 12kg 1-year-old feel about as heavy as a pack of sugar! (ok, I may be being just a tad too enthusiastic there :D )

Gee, after reading these posts, I like the look of the Ergo Baby Carrier too. Good luck!! :thumbsup:

[Rainbowbrite]

I have a regular front carry sling (over the shoulder type) which kills my back. I couldn't live without my ring-sling :thumbsup:

[Lunar]

I love my home made hugabub!

My lower back is not too good after the birth of #1 and still is not the same.

The weight is evenly distributed across your back and shoulders. I can wear mine all day and still be comfortable.

[bilbymum]

Very interesting thread.

I have had back problems my entire pregnancy and am one week away from giving birth. I have a 2nd hand Ergo (still not sure if i can put a newborn in it) and a Snugli carrier (i think that is for from when the baby has neck control).

PHYSIO gave me the input to buy something that allowed for even and symetrical carrying - which is what the Ergo does. The Ergo seems to carry the weight on your hips instead of your shoulders. I hoped the physio would give me more ideas than that, but that was it.

I then saw an OT hoping to get advice there, by looking at baby carriers online, i was more familiar with what was available than they were.

I have gotten most advice from forums like this, i have been disappointed how little allied health workers like physios and ot's at the public hospital i am at for prenatal care, actually know about aids for women carrying and caring babies. it interests me the way the african women i see at the local shopping centre, carry their bubs on their back with a firmly tied piece of fabric.

I also spent many months researching light weight prams for the same reason of the bad back. I ended up chosing a Valco Urban Ultralite Stroller, that takes you right thru from newborn layback stage. The MacLaren's are light too. It's amazing when you type in lightweight in baby website databases, some companies seem to regard 11kg as lightweight!!!!! I was looking for the 5 - 6 kg range which is what i think is lightweight. There is also a Chicco i saw which fitted my criteria. Was SO hard (in my city of one million) to actually find baby shops that had these prams in stock for me to see, try out and practise getting up and down.

The market for mums with stuffed backs must be very tiny cos i certainly have had to hunt high and low for this stuff.

Must also mention the body pillows in Kmart to help with sleeping.

And how wonderful back pain hydrotherapy classes have been for me at the public hospital.

Maybe i should investigate this hug a bug more, i love the idea of the ergo but am having trouble figuring out how to use it, put it on when alone etc.

[draught]

Very interesting thread. I have had back problems my entire pregnancy and am one week away from giving birth. I have a 2nd hand Ergo (still not sure if i can put a newborn in it) and a Snugli carrier (i think that is for from when the baby has neck control).

You can put a newborn in an ergo - you need a padded rug - you can buy theirs or make one yourself, then you use it to line the ergo and lie the baby in it so it's bottom is in the centre of the pouch and it's legs stay together - if that makes sense! It has the advantage of being better for babies hips etc than the pouches such as the baby bjorn that hang them by their crotch. Check out the ergo website - they have some step by step instructions on how to put them on and how to carry newborns. It only too me a couple of goes to get the hang of putting the ergo on by myself - I have done it on cramped planes with a sleeping toddler etc - it really is easy once you get the hang of it!

[bilbymum]

thanks for that DRAUGHT. I do have a tiny quilt (came in a bag of clothes that was given to me). I have it in the bassinette right now - under the sheets as extra padding), but come to think of it, it would be an ideal size for the Ergo to take up the slack.

i must remember the "legs staying together" part, i think i would automatically want to put her legs astride inside the Ergo.

I have seen the little video on the Ergo site, it was the "newborn" aspect of it i was unclear about - i started worrying about the neck support bit vis a vis a newborn. I think they explain the older bub part really well in that little vid.

thanks again DRAUGHT, much appreciated.

[mumtofivegirls]

Hi,
I also have an Ergo Baby Carrier. I have found it absolutely wonderful. You will have to get used to it a little - but that is real easy. It is a great carrier as you can also wear baby on your back and side - I haven't tried this one yet.
My first eye to eye contact and a big smile with baby Ashlee was when I had her in the Ergo using the infant insert. I was in awe. I could tell that she loved to see me the moment she woke up.

I have had her wee on my back :eek: when out and also nip me with her little teeth. owch !

To the last poster ( I cannot see your name), I will give you the measurements of my insert if you like, so that you can stitch your quilt to the perfect size. It is fairly thick and sturdy.
Let me know if you want them.

In Kindness. B

[Pobblebonk]

Hello! How are you?

I have a Baby Bjorn and I could only really use it until the point where baby wanted to be turned around.

I was given a BabyRock Comfy Carry Sling www.babyrock.biz that is a sling that you can use to put in the hip position and the weight is on your shoulder. It was developed by midwives in Cairns. Can't recommend it enough.

[Billy]

:wave: Hi there, just wanted to put my vote in for the hug-a-bub :thumbsup:
I think they're fantastic, and very comfortable :yes:

[bilbymum]

Hi,
I also have an Ergo Baby Carrier. I have found it absolutely wonderful.

To the last poster ( I cannot see your name), I will give you the measurements of my insert if you like, so that you can stitch your quilt to the perfect size. It is fairly thick and sturdy.
Let me know if you want them.

In Kindness. B

Hi mumtofivegirls,

t'was me that was wondering about the little quilt inside the ergo, i'd love to know the measurements. i'm on g.j@internode.on.net i f you would be so kind as to email me with that info, thanks so much.

In gratitude
bilbymum

[mumtofivegirls]

Hi mumtofivegirls,

t'was me that was wondering about the little quilt inside the ergo, i'd love to know the measurements. i'm on g.j@internode.on.net i f you would be so kind as to email me with that info, thanks so much.

In gratitude
bilbymum


You are welcome. I have sent you an email with a sketch and some photos also.

In Kindness. B