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Carrying your baby around is a natural part of motherhood that can help you bond with your little one but can also be quite taxing on your recovering body. Often back pain may develop in pregnancy and/or can develop from carrying your baby for extended periods without a good baby carrier.
A quality baby carrier is a useful tool that every mom should have. It can help calm that colicy baby who is always fussy, be the solution to not enough hands, or a great way to get through a first outing with your newborn.
Carrying your baby by hand all day can cause some serious strain on your back leading to back pain, and a good baby carrier will help distribute your baby’s weight evenly and eventually reduce the strain on your back. In this article, we will be discussing the best baby carrier for back pain, how to spot them, and what to look out for in a baby carrier.
- Why does my back hurt when carrying my baby?
- What to look out for in a baby carrier for back pain
- Best baby carrier for back pain
- Tips to reduce back pain when baby wearing
Table of Contents
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | LÍLLÉbaby Ergonomic 6 in 1 Baby Carrier
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Solly Baby Wrap
|
| View on Amazon | |
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Harmony
|
| View on Amazon |
 | Ergobaby Omni 360
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Infantino Flip Advanced 4 in 1 Baby Carrier
|
| View on Amazon |
Why Does My Back Hurt While Carrying my Baby?
Carrying your baby is no easy task, especially as they grow older and bigger. You may not have problems carrying your newborn for short periods of time but it can be taxing for longer periods of time. It also can be more taxing on your body as they get bigger.
At around 1 year your little one may weigh around 17 pounds. Imagine lifting weights every day for one week. It will definitely cause some muscle aches. Now imagine lifting that weight every day for several months. I’ve had several moms come to me complaining of back pain when they carry their little ones and toddlers, and 8 out of 10 of them were majorly caused by extended periods of carrying their children without a suitable baby carrier.
You should know that you may experience back aches during pregnancy as your uterus begins to grow bigger. Also, the hormones released during pregnancy have a relaxing effect on the ligaments which could contribute to back pain during pregnancy. This pain typically subsides following delivery as your body undergoes changes postpartum. The pain however, may be triggered again when carrying your baby.
Other possible reasons you may be having back pain include:
You Have Abdominal Separation:
Abdominal separation, also known as diastasis recti is a complication occurring as a result of pregnancy, where the muscles that support your abdomen on both sides weaken and separate. This separation causes your intestines and stomach to bulge through, appearing like an irregularly shaped bulging mass on the middle of your abdomen. Most moms refer to this mass as a “pooch”, and it is very common postpartum. This condition can cause lower back pain and poor posture which could worsen when you carry your baby.
You May Have Trauma to Your Tailbone:
Labor is an intensive process where you literally bring a baby out through your pelvis. Your pelvis is made up of bones such as the hip bone, the sacrum and tailbone also known as the coccyx. The tail bone is the last bone on your spine and may be dislocated or impacted as your baby makes her way to the outside world. This trauma may cause back pain which can worsen when carrying your baby.
You May Have Trauma to Your Sacrum:
As stated earlier, the bones that make up your pelvis are the hip bone, sacrum and tailbone. Like the tailbone, the sacrum just above it is vulnerable to trauma as your little one moves through your pelvis. This pain can worsen when you carry your baby.
In all, you should see your doctor for a proper assessment to know the category you fall in and what the cause of your back pain could be.
What Features to Look for When looking for the Best Baby Carrier for Back Pain?
Getting a good baby carrier is very important for moms to both prevent and ease back pain. Features of a good baby carrier includes:
- A baby carrier that feels comfortable and easy to wear which distributes your baby’s weight to avoid excessive strain on your waist and hips
- Baby carriers with wide adjustable waist belts to fit any adult and padded shoulder straps for your comfort while carrying your baby
- Baby carriers that make your baby seat in an ‘M’ wide-leg spread-squat position, that is, sitting with the buttocks lower than the knees and hips spread open. This helps your baby feel more comfortable in the baby carrier with their weight more evenly distributed.
- The baby carrier that is made of a soft material such as cloth (baby slings), or one that is structured with adjustable buckles, ensuring that your baby’s weight is supported by the bottom and not by the crotch
- A baby carrier is suitable for your baby’s age and weight
Best Baby Carrier for Back Pain
The following are great options for a baby carrier to ease back pain:
LÍLLÉ BABY ERGONOMIC 6 IN 1 BABY CARRIER
This carrier is a practical and comfortable baby carrier, making it a great choice for moms with back pain.
Pros:
- Has adjustable straps to fit any adult
- Comes with pockets that may come in handy to put phones, purses, etc.
- Offers up to 6 baby carrying positions for you to choose from
- Possesses additional features to help regulate your baby’s temperature
- Soft padded waist and shoulder straps for extra comfort
Cons:
- May be difficult to adjust straps
- May cause discomfort to newborns and babies under 3 months of age
- Short or petite moms may find straps to be too bulky
Solly Baby Wrap
Baby wraps, despite the popular misconceptions surrounding them, provide good support to your back as you carry your little one. This baby wrap is well designed for comfort and eases the strain on your back when carrying your little one.
Pros:
- They help your baby maintain the ‘M’ position with a curved ‘C’ shaped back
- Help your baby feel snug and secure
- Its breathable material is suitable for all weather and prevents overheating in your little one
- Helps distribute your baby’s weight evenly with a light material that doesn’t dig into your back and cause pain
- Adjustable to fit any body size
Cons:
- May take some time to figure out
- Cannot be used for babies beyond 9 months of age
Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier harmony
This baby carrier is a great choice for mom with backaches as it is built to provide comfort and support to moms as they carry their babies.
Pros:
- Has a built-in back support
- Has padded waist belt and shoulder straps
- Is made of breathable mesh fabric which helps regulate your baby’s temperature and keep them cool on warm days.
- Has adjustable leg openings for your baby to fit into properly.
- Can carry your baby facing in or out.
Cons:
- Is expensive
- It is not easy to put on
Ergobaby omni 360
Ergobaby Omni 360 is a baby carrier designed to help moms with back ache. Its sleek and comfy design helps ease the strain on your back and also makes your baby feel comfortable.
Pro:
- Provides adequate support to prevent back pain
- Provides flexible options of baby carrying positions
- Comes with pockets and a detachable storage pouch which may come in handy if you need to store things
- It has adjustable seats
- Has a privacy hood with UPF 50+
- Made with breathable, high quality material and is durable
Cons:
- Bulky Shoulder Straps
Infantino flip advanced 4 in 1 baby carrier
Infantino baby carrier is a comfortable carrier that is easy to use, and allows for more flexible positions for baby carrying
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Is light weight and not heavy to carry around
- Adjustable seats, giving room for more baby carrying positions
- Adjustable waist and shoulder straps for added comfort to the mom
Cons:
- Less waist and shoulder strap padding compared to other baby carriers
How to Know if it Fits Properly
The only way to know your baby carrier fits properly is trying it on. Your baby carrier should feel snug, comfortable and not restricting your baby’s movement, with your baby’s head resting on the hard part of your chest. To be on the safe side, i recommend that you get a baby carrier with adjustable straps so could could adjust it to fit you perfectly.
Tips to Reduce Back Pain While Babywearing
Back pain is very common with baby wearing. Tips to reduce back pain while baby wearing includes:
- Take short breaks in between baby wearing sessions. Try as much as possible to avoid extended periods of baby wearing.
- Make sure to get a baby carrier that feels comfortable around your waist, and distributes your baby’s weight evenly.
- Alternate babywearing positions.
Final Thoughts
Baby carrying is a beautiful part of motherhood filled with bonding sessions and cuddles. However, the changes your body went through during pregnancy could cause back pain, making it more difficult and uncomfortable to carry your little one. As a mom, you musn’t necessarily have back pain when carrying your baby. Let baby carriers take all that strain from your back. Invest in getting a good baby carrier today to get a baby carrying experience that is free from back pain.
Nancy M.D. is a health practitioner, pediatrician and medical writer, who is dedicated to fostering awareness, and lending a helping hand to humanity at large.
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