Can anyone recommend a sling or wrap which isn't too hard on the back?

[ACatCalledFang]

I'd really appreciate any recommendations for a sling, wrap or carrier suitable for a seven week old baby which won't aggravate the wearer's back...

I had a C-section and have had some lower back pain ever since, nothing major but don't want to make it any worse. I'm assuming a wrap like the Moby might be a better option than a carrier in terms of spreading the weight? But then I saw the Close Caboo and the Mei Tai soft carriers and wondered whether they might be better.

We actually have a second-hand Baby Bjorn but DS doesn't like it, I feel he's too small for it (we last tried it when he was about 9 lbs) and I know they're not ideal for newborn hips. It also really made my back ache!

I originally hoped to make it to the local sling library but, for various reasons, we won't be able to go before early December so I'm now thinking I'll just pick up a second-hand wrap or sling on eBay and sell it on if we don't get on with it.

All thoughts welcome, and thanks in advance!

I have a kari-me and a hana - both are wraps, the hana is bamboo so better in warm weather (DD was born during v hot summer 2014). Wraps are fiddly to start with but super comfy for you and baby - although DD screamed the house down the first couple of times she went in them, a bit of walking about quietened her and she soon got used to it. I found the wraps comfy despite having had a c-section, though I didn't try them until DD was about 4-6 weeks.

When she got bigger (6 months or so) we used a mei tai, and then an Action Baby Carrier which we still use now she's 15 months. I find the ABC really comfortable as you can cross the straps across your back which is amazing for weight distribution.

Definitely go to a sling library - lots of people love ergo and manduca carriers, but I hated both. I had never heard of ABC but had a go with one at the library and instantly loved it - DD felt light as a feather in comparison to a big lump in the ergo and a back-breaker in the manduca.

I too didn't get on brilliantly with the caboo beyond the first few weeks - but I grow big babies! I found dd too heavy quite quickly and it hurt my shoulders. Tried an ergo but wasn't keen, and though we love our rose and rebellion ssc, she was too little for that until 4-5 months. So we first hired and then bought a napsack baby wrap style ssc - like a mai tei I've heard. It was brilliant, thank god as dd would only nap in the sling, and didn't give my back too much gip (and I have almost zero core stability...). It has a front panel with wrap waist straps and wrap shoulder straps - the latter of which are oar shaped so can spread right over your back. You can also put the baby forward facing for short periods quite comfortably. Dd would only go in it front facing as an older nosy baby.

We're actually about to sell it if you were interested... :)

Personally I've only had a Moby & a Connecta. I Got my Connecta when my daughter was 3 months & carried on using with her till she was nearly 3 when my son was born(yes I was still slinging her in it at 8 month's pregnant) then used it with my son from around 3 days old. I bought a Moby to use with him but after using the connecta for so long it felt quite claustrophobic & I couldn't breast feed in it which I can in the connecta, they've also started selling them in M&S which Is great. Hope you find a sling you love

You'll find that lots of people are very passionate about babywearing, once you find a carrier that's comfy for you and your baby you'll wonder how you ever managed without it! I'm 36 weeks pg with baby 2 and can't wait for newborn snuggles in the Moby wrap again. I had to stop carrying my dd a few months ago as her weight was too much on my bump and I miss the ease of being able to strap her on and pop to the shops without messing about with the pram.

Agree with others re trying a few things to find your solution - for me it's woven wraps now dd is 22m.

I also wanted to add that after pregnancy and while BF your ligaments will be softer and you'll be more prone to initial back pain. Also, babywearing is a process of building the core strength and muscles over time, so you might find you need to build up to it a bit with whatever carrier you use. The good news is that regular carrying REALLY improves your fitness, especially if you keep at it til your child is a great big toddler!

Love the Kari-me sling - so much more comfy than the baby bjorn and v versatile. We actually own 4 slings now and the Kari-me is definitely the easiest on the back as long as you make sure to tie it quite tight.

Yes, that's a good point - if you get a kari-me or a moby or another wrap sling, tie it tighter than you think is wise before you put the baby in! It is surprising how much the material will move/stretch, and it's a right pain realising the baby is slipping down to your bellybutton and having to re-tie. You quickly get used to how tight you need to tie, though :)

With a stretchy, the rule of thumb is to tie without the baby in and get it about as tight as a close fitting tshirt. Not as tight as you possibly can, but snug, not leaving space for the baby. The stretch in the material offers the space and will be more secure this way.

I used a kari me for my little one to start with then I got woven wraps absolutely adore my wraps but also tried a buckle at a sling meet and fell in love,my 2.5 year old is happy in a wrap or my beautiful (madame goo goo) buckle whatever you do don't look at madame goo goo it's fatal!