Help me love my Beco!!

[katie111]

I just bought a Beco bbay carrier for my upcoming Disney trip with my DD5, DS4 and DS 9 months. I bought it basd on a lot of good advice from these boards. However, now that I have it, I really don't like it that much. So, I'm hoping I can get some tips so that I can use it for my trip in 2 weeks. Here are my issues:

1) I can' get the baby on my back by myself. I am so afraid I am going to drop him! How do people do this??

2) When he's on my back, I feel like he's going to slip out. I feel like I'm constantly pushing him up. Yesterday I really tightened the belt & it felt better but I felt like I could barely breathe. Also I'm pretty small framed but still have a pooch. When I have him on my back & have the buckle in the front, it is so unflattering looking! I feel like I just have fat hanging out from the top & bottom, it looks awful.

3) When the baby is on the front, where is the crossstrap supposed to go on your back? My shoulder straps are constantly falling down off of my shoulders (I think I may have small or rounded shoulders as I have the same problem with bra straps).

4) How do people wear their baby all day?? I had the baby on my front yesterday & tried to go to the bathroom. I couldn't get my jeans back up or buttoned. I finally had to take the baby out. Also, how do you sit down comfortably when the baby is on your back?

5) How do people wear their baby in cod weather? I've been trying to practice using it as much as possible when I'm out but its tough because we live in a cold climate. The other day I went to the mall & put him in it but then had to carry around his snowsuit & my coat as well as my diaper bag. I totally missed my stroller!!

Please help as I really want to like this product!! My baby does seem happy in it & my 30lb 4 year old also loves to go in it.

 

[kofduke]

Carrying baby on your back does take some practice. If you're going to Disney soon, I'd just get your DH to be your spotter as you get your DS up there. When my DH wears DS, I just put him on the middle of his back and pull up the carrier for him; he'd never be able to do it alone. If you have some more time to practice, I'm sure it will become second nature by the time you go. After a few weeks of being worn on the back regularly your baby will probably help by leaning into you, etc.

In terms of how to do it, I do the "hip scoot." That means I secure the bottom buckle, and then place baby on my left hip. While leaning all the way forard, I then move baby to my back with my left arm. I kind of catch and adjust with my right arm, and use the other arm to pull up the beco onto my back. This all sounds complex, but it only takes a few seconds. Once the carrier is secure on both shoulders, I stand up. The chest strap goes across the top of my chest. Make sure that all the straps are tight enough, that should prevent slipping.

I can still wear my 35-lb. 2 year old for an hour or two on my back, not so much on my front. If you wear regularly, your muscles will get stronger and you'll be able to BW for longer and longer!

IMHO there's not a comfy way to sit with baby on your back, you just need to lean forward so you can sit for a short period of time.

I don't have enough posts to post a pic, but can I do a link to one?

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/kofduke/DSCN1566.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/kofduke/DSCN0058.jpg

 

[bumbershoot]

I couldn't put my son on my back for a LONG time, and I'm a die-hard, from birth, babywearer.

There are many tips here: http://www.mamatoto.org/

Cold weather, there are many new coats being made that are like the ones here: http://www.suseskinder.com/

I had the same squish-issue with my Ergo, where it just wasn't flattering. All I've got are for you on that one.

When DS was that age I was mainly using my mei tai or Moby for front carries (facing me), and I just shored him up as high as I could. I didn't really wear him on my back, other than around the house in MIL's hideous-looking hand me down podegi (traditional cloth Korean baby carrier). I wish you luck!!!

With baby and with mama, baby-wearing takes lots and lots of practice. If you can't get baby up on your own, wait until there is someone to help you, get baby up there, and have them walk behind you, seeing how baby is sitting in the Beco. They can tell you if there are problems and reassure you if there aren't. Get out and walk so you get stronger in your back and more used to wearing the baby. With time you'll get better and better at it!

Good luck!

 

[mom2nca]

all I can say is practice , practice ,practice! It takes a while to get used to it and to get comfy with it, you will get better at it I promise, I used to try putting my girl on and off right next to the couch or bed.
I do have an ergo though and not a becco but they are simmiler.

when I do the bottom buckle I put it under my shirt and leave my shirt untucked so you dont see the roll of fat there, lol!

how old is your child? might be able to give you more spesific tips if I know the age.

 

[kofduke]

One more thought - I've done individual consults with mamas who were just learning specific tips on babywearing - usually those who wanted to learn wrapping, but I've done MT/SSC lessons too. I charge $10/hour. Possibly look on www.thebabywearer.com to see if there are any instructors who are near you?

 

[Ariel8676]

FWIW..i could never get the Beco comfy... But as far as back carries go...PRACTICE!!! LOL seriously, practice with someone behind you of over the bed or couch.
Do yo know of any other babywearer's around your area??? When are you going to WDW???

 

[abouley]

It sounds like you don't have the straps on tight enough. When I first started using mine, the bottom wasn't tight enough and it did feel like my daughter was going to fall out. Once I tightened them up, it felt much better. The back thing is a bit tricky. I practiced over the couch. You baically get it on, put the baby on your hip, lean forward and then slide baby around and hold them with one arm while you pull it up. Definitely easier with another person to help. I haven't found sitting with baby on front to difficult as their legs are wrapped around me. I think back carry hurts my back less. I tend to lean back some using the front carry and eventually I get locked up.

Hope you get it figured out. It's frustrating to spend that much money and then not like it! The good thing is that resale is pretty good on them

Alison