One of the most commonly raised concerns parents have when selecting a baby carrier is how it will affect their own body. Pain and chronic health issues involving the back, neck, shoulders and hips often limit a parent’s mobility; this can be exacerbated by adding the changes of pregnancy and the demands of a new infant.
If the parent is physically able to carry their baby, then babywearing is an excellent tool that can be used to meet the baby’s needs without causing further pain or injury. In fact, some physical therapists even tell us that babywearing in a properly supportive carrier can even strengthen the muscles of the back and shoulders.
In order for this to happen, it is essential that the carrier chosen can distribute the weight of the baby evenly across the parent’s body. For this reason, one shouldered carriers are not recommended where preexisting health concerns are present. The two shouldered carrier must be used properly and carefully; this means that it is correctly tightened so the baby is snug to your body, that shoulder straps rest on the balls of your shoulder and that your baby is higher on your torso. You should be able to easily move in the carrier, maintaining correct posture without feeling your baby pull away from your body.
When wearing for longer periods of time, you should be able to redistribute your baby’s weight to different muscle groups to avoid placing strain on one portion of your body. This will help to strengthen and protect your neck, back, shoulders and hips.
Woven wraps are the best choice for people with neck, back, shoulder and hip issues, since they fit the criteria mentioned above. The fabric is designed to support both the wearer and the baby’s bodies when it has been properly tightened.
Wrap style mei tais with wider straps can also be helpful in this situation, with the Didymos, Girasol and Babylonia mei tais being excellent choices.
Depending on the individual issues, some parents find that heavily structured soft structured carriers (SSCs) can be comfortable to use. The Oh Snap!, Beco Butterfly and Gemini and the classic Ergo are all good choices.
Back, neck, shoulder and hip pain is common, but it does not need to limit your enjoyment of time with your baby! The right carrier will keep you both comfortable and happy.