Can’t find a baby carrier that’s comfortable?

[MumApril1990]

When my daughter was newborn I used a fabric baby sling and it was great, since she was about 4 months I’ve needed a more structured carriers but i
keep trying them and finding they hurt my back and neck. She’s 6 months now and I still haven’t found one that works.

I’m 5ft tall and overweight/ chubby. I’m not athletic but not very weak either. They all seem to have straps at the top which put all the babies weight on my neck and it hurts so much. No matter how tight I make the bottom strap around the waist it doesn’t seem to offset any of her weight? Also it always seems too tight and my clothes and fat on my midriff gets bunched up.

does anyone know what’s going on and how I can find a carrier that works for me??

Find a sling library. Failing that an actual shop and just keep trying them on.

Are you making sure they're correctly altered? If you've tried a few different brands, you can usually find one that works.

I had a 360 and a Baby Bjorn One - DH and DS preferred the One, so we used that most. It did take some getting used to, and I had to build up to longer carries, whereas DH could carry him for hours straight off, but I never got back or neck ache. If they're pulling your neck, the waist set up doesn't sound right.

Have you got a local sling library? That would allow you to try a few different options, and they usually offer hires so you could keep it for a few weeks and see how you get on.

Ergobaby 360 here. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of it, but once all straps were adjusted to my size, and baby could reliably hold his head up, it became my most useful item. I rarely bother with the buggy now.

Definitely recommend you go to a sling library, where are you based?

What are you using? I swear by my Integra, used it for the whole first year with my son and now with DD who’s 5 months and chunky. I’m 5”2 and also a bit chubby. I did. It’s really comfy as well as light and easy to get on and off

Lots of structured slings were too wide on the back / shoulders for me, as I’m fairly short and petite. Meh dai or half buckles with the straps crossed over my back rather than rucksack style solved it for me - but you really do need a sling library.

I am similar build to you, I have the Tula Explore. It has really well padded shoulders and no weight on your neck. By far my favourite but definitely try a sling library.

https://babytula.co.uk/products/charmed-explore-baby-carrier

Try Tula. The free to grow Tula might be better as it has less thick fabric. They also sell a waist extender if you need to make it comfortable.

I had an ergo omni, found super uncomfortable. Bought Tula toddler ( mine was 18 months by this point) and it’s more comfortable carrying now 3 year old toddler than it was the Ergo omni with Ds at 9months.

Ergo worked well for us.

Baby bjorn for me, not sure what age it goes up to though. I think I stopped wearing a carrier after 6 months. We have an ergo (passed down from a friend) and it's an absolute faff compared to the bjorn, not sure why it's rated so much.

It’s very individual - for me both the Ergo and the Babybjorn killed my neck and slipped off my shoulders, but I happily carried on my front and then my back until my youngest was nearly 4.

Join Babywearing UK on Facebook. Lots of sling consultants in there who will help with a fit check if you post a photo of you wearing your carrier. Might be that some adjustments are needed rather than a new carrier.

For example the bottom strap should be really high up right on your waist and I always wore mine under my belly!

What carriers work for some don't for others and some popular/expensive brands like Babybjorn don't actually provide an ergonomic M shape fit.

I love Tula free to grow and Mamaruga Zensling personally

I had the Integra. Was brilliant. I’d been on crutches for most of the pregnancy and have a whole host of msk issues, and the Integra was just right.

Definitely find a sling library & try several different types. I liked the Connecta but found it dug into my shoulders; but loved the Tula Standard & eventually the Tula Toddler. Lots of padding on the shoulders & the back strap could be adjusted.
I'm bigger & did find the waistband dug in as it needed to be tight but I accepted that as the carrier was so useful.

I used a Connecta with both of mine. DS2 still fits in it now at 17 months. It's less structured and I find it really comfortable to wear.

I tried loads and found the boba one (3GS I think it’s called) amazing.

I also have the Tula Explore and really like it, but it's all in the adjustments. If I put it on badly adjusted then it hurts; if I put it on correctly then I can wear it for ages comfortably. Biggest mistake is having the waistband too low IME, so that your hips aren't taking any of the actual weight of the baby. I had it like under my tummy at first till I realised it needed to be really high, just under baby's bum. There are really good videos of how to properly fit and adjust carriers on YouTube.

Definitely try and get to a sling library. What works for one person could be totally wrong for the next. Once you find what works for you it should be possible to carry for a long time - my DC still had the odd back carry at 4. FWIW I really rate the Emeibaby and Rose & Rebellion.