Where am I going wrong? Moby hurting my back.

[TessTosterone]

I am new to baby wearing although ds4 is obviously my 4th baby. After some research I thought I would try a moby wrap as I thought I would need my hands free with the other boys.

Ds is 4 weeks but I have only just started using the wrap as he is still under 8 pounds and the website says they need to be this weight for the newborn hug hold ( no idea why?).

Anyway I am pretty sure I am doing it properly and he is really happy in it but it's just not comfortable for me. I am currently sitting on the sofa with him snuggled up in it as after 10 minutes walking around with him in it my upper back is aching a lot and he feels so heavy. He is only 7.5 pounds!!

So any ideas? Or is this just not going to work for me?

Something to check are that his head is close enough to kiss. That he is in tight to you. if you press on his spine there shouldn't be movement.

Why not see if there is a sling library near you. They should be able to check that you tying it correctly.

I tried lots of different slings and never did gel with one. I find them cumbersome and hefty. Slings just weren't for me!

Thanks will check the libraries out.

I read somewhere that you need quite good core abdominal muscles to use a sling. Sadly mine are now pretty non existent and I have large abdominal seperation so I just wonder if I don't have the core strength required.

Was he a natural delivery?

I had EMCS and the spinal anaesthetic gave me back pain for weeks afterwards. Sling was fine after 6 weeks, now dd2 is 3 months I use it all the time. Mind you I did start doing core muscle exercises such as sit ups as soon as I got the all clear from the GP, they do help.

second what loopy says about spreading fabric wide.

Follow T.I.C.K.S for safe baby wearing.

Also good tip when you are walking is to try to pull in your belly button back towards your spine, therefore engaging your core muscles and reducing strain on your back. Especially good tip for buggy pushing as you tend to stick your bum out more and not keep your back straight when walking with one.

It is true that slinging will use your abdominal muscles, but there is no reason you shouldn't be able to carry a baby that tiny if your sling is well tied, posture good etc even with abdominal separation.

What the others said about getting him high and tight is right. if he is too low or the wrap sags it will pull on your upper back. Tie it tight - use the stretch in the wrap to fit him in rather than leaving space iyswim.

Ok thanks. I am going to keep practising. I am trying to persuade dh to give it a go as well. We often go out and about walking with the other boys and would be really useful.