Sunday, August 30, 2009

Daily Peep: Piggy Back Ride

I know that before long, Peeper's going to be getting too big to comfortably wear in a front carry, facing out and since she likes to see what's going on, I'm thinking a back carry would be good.

So, I have to learn how to do that!

A couple of months ago, I asked DoulaK to show me how to get her onto my back, and she demonstrated with a mei tai, saying, "This is the way I do it - but you won't do it. I know you're you're never going to do this in the middle of the Target parking lot."

Well, of course, I took that as a challenge, and although I still haven't, I am determined that I will put her on my back in the Target parking lot at some point!

In general, I prefer the wrap to any of our other carriers, so I'm trying to master a back carry with it. I've seen a video and know what I need to do, I just need a lot of practice, because Peeper gets bored and starts fussing before I can get everything all tied up.

Today, in response to a post asking for quick, easy recipe ideas (more on that later, I'm sure), one of my British baby-led weaning buddies suggested I wear Peeper on my back while cooking, if she's not happy to sit and play on her own for long enough to get anything done.

Which reminded me that DoulaK had made the very same suggestion, oh, months ago.

(I'd tried putting her on my back a few months ago and I could do it, but didn't feel secure at all.)

So, I decided that, although my ultimate goal is to perfect the back carry with the wrap (thus one-upping what DoulaK told me I'd never do) I might as well try out the other carriers for the time being.

I didn't get any photos with the mei tai, but it went pretty well, although I didn't have her quite centered in it and I need to experiment with exactly how to wrap the straps.

It was quite easy to get her all set up in the not-an-Ergo (it's Ergo-like, but a knock-off brand), but wasn't as comfortable for me.

I'm a little hesitant to wear this one in public, though, (and now I'm also a little iffy about the wrap instructions that seem to have it ending up in the same positions as the straps of the Ergo) because here's what happens when you take breasts that are already quite large, plus they are lactating, and then you cinch a belt really tightly right below them, and another right above. . . .


Hell-ooooo, Mama!

7 comments:

  1. Lololol! Hmmm, not quite sure there is a way around that, to get the proper support, without, um... :D

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  2. With the mei tai or wrap, I could X the straps across my chest, but that might just "lift and separate."

    Or, I saw a video w/a rucksack carry (over arms, like a backpack) that showed tucking the ends back around the straps and tying up high, without going around the waist.

    I might try that.

    Also, speaking of proper support, after seeing this photo, I tightened up the shoulder straps on the bra I was wearing.

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  3. Yeah, I'm not comfortable with the Ergo back carry either. Besides the boob issue, I don't like that I can't see Alice (I'm hearing impaired, so not seeing her also means I can't hear her!)
    You can do a side carry with the Ergo but its incredibly uncomfortable!

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  4. I do the mei tai for the back. I tried the wrap on the back several times, but it was just too awkward to do by myself, and I couldn't get the hang of it. Getting her on my back wasn't the hard part, it was arranging the wrap.

    So I ordered a mei tai off of Etsy in the hopes that it would be easier, and hoo boy, it really is.

    The straps all tie around my waist in one configuration. There's another where they tie kind of under my boobs, but without the chest strap it's not so bad.

    Some pics of the waist-only hold (she's a little askew sleeping in it, it usually looks more comfy :))

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaisopics/3877317715/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaisopics/3878111926/in/photostream/

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  5. Btw, I tried out the mei tai with a criss-cross in front today.

    Oh. Dear.

    Definitely got some "lifting and separating" action.

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  6. Oh yes, definitely recommend the rucksack tie as opposed to criss-cross :-)

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What say you?