Bad backache from ergo. What am I doing wrong?

[zinher]

Jut started wearing my ergo today. Have got very bad lower backache and can feel the weight of baby. When I tried it in store baby became weightless. What could be the reason? Just wore her for5 min and my back is killing me.

Do you have it tight enough? Is the waist strap on your waist or hips?

check to make sure you are wearing it high enough (on your waist, not low on hips) and it is tight enough. you should be able to easily kiss her head.

also you will find that you ache as you will be using rarely used muscles - they will develop and ache less, its like fitness. I can front carry my 23lb in a mei tai for hours but I still feel it the next day, but less so than when she was lighter as my muscles are stronger IYSWIM?

You'll probably need to tighten the arm straps, and adjust the back strap to higher up? Baby should be pretty high up.

I find front carries too uncomfortable for long periods once mine are about 6 months.

Back or front carry? I need the waist strap of my buckle carrier to feel surprisingly tight to get ds (19m) to feel supported on my back. I also find I get tired quicker if he's too high on my back.

www.babywearing.co.uk/localsupport/ Try here to find a meet near you, nothing beats real life advice (and there's usually coffee and cake available!)

Baby is 4.5 months old and it is front carry. Everything is pretty titght and I can kiss baby's head easily. The shoulder straps feels slightly loose although I have tightened them to max. She also gets very restless in it and starts crying. Will she get used to it?

Can you cross the straps across your back in an Ergo? (I didn't use that brand and although most you can, some you can't) I much preferred front carrying when there was an X across my shoulders, it also stopped them feeling like they were slipping off!

When you feel secure and confident, chances are she will :)

No the back straps dnt cross

It's worth trying the sling with the waist strap fastened in different places (down on your hips or high on your ribs) I find it took me a while to find a position that I found really comfortable. The back strap is adjustable so you can have it down near your bra strap or higher up. Ideally, find a sling group in your area who can help you adjust it. I found my local group really friendly and helpful.

I never got on with the ergo, it gave me killer back ache, though my dp loved it. I got on loads better with a woven wrap and used it for both of mine until they were four ish without feeling any strain.

Thanks for the input, I will give try to vary the straps and c. If the backache persists I may return it.