core body strength

[MoominHannah]

Whilst we were away in Sweden last week, it suddenly became a lot easier carrying my DS (we use wraps mostly these days). He felt so light. I don't know if it's my wrapping skills getting better and better, but at the time I was convinced he'd lost weight Well, I weighed him this morning only to find he's actually gained a whole kilo since the last time I weighed him (about 6 weeks ago)

If you'd told me this time two years ago that I'd still be carrying him at two years old and 13 kilos I'd have laughed in your face!

There seem to be several "difficult" phases with BWing. IME and from what I can gather from talking to other mums, most people experience a phase when BW is hard (in terms of their own strength) when their babes are about 3 months, then again at 7-9 months to about a year (when walking starts and "other difficulties/challenges" arise )

Later, in the second year I personally found challenging phases less common. Most likely to do with a steadier, more gradual weight gain on Oz's part.

I just wondered what other's experiences have been so far with BWing and their own core body strength?

p.s x-posted on London forum and TBW

[Becklesfield]

That's great to hear Hannah!

You are an inspiration to me as you are still able to carry Oz (as I am also a petite woman of 5ft2in :D).

My difficult time came a month ago, Mila would have been about 7 months, when I just wasn't able to comfortably carry her on my front anymore. I had to really embrace back carries which has been great as it's forced me to confront any fears I had about doing it on public transport and any issues about wearing winter clothes underneath.

Probably a few months ago too (I guess around 5 months), I found that she wanted to get out quite a lot whilst on public transport. Now, we are, (touch wood) going through an easy time again.

xx

[Angelscout]

I have also found Ethan easy to carry of late. I think its due to his weight being a slow gain now rather that quickly like he use to pre his first birthday.

Heres to yrs more slinging!

Gill -xx-

[mamadillo]

I think it helps if they grow in height, the weight distribution feels better somehow, so perhaps those tricky periods coincide with pre-height-growth weight gain? When the child is a little bit disproportionately heavy, iykwim.

[Suzi]

Originally posted by mamadillo
I think it helps if they grow in height, the weight distribution feels better somehow, so perhaps those tricky periods coincide with pre-height-growth weight gain? When the child is a little bit disproportionately heavy, iykwim.

I agree with this. dd is nearly 2 and weighs 32Lbs, ds is 9 months and weighs 27Lbs, dd is definitely easier to carry and feels a lot lighter.

[Squirrel]

Ds2 is 25mths and fairly average size but no idea how much he actually weighs. He did seem to be getting uncomfortably heavy about 6mths ago but now I'm finding him really easy to carry again. Dh had him a MT for about 20mins on Saturday night but then had to get him out again because it was hurting his back too much. I guess I'm just used to it!

Sarah

[mamadillo]

Originally posted by Suzi
I agree with this. dd is nearly 2 and weighs 32Lbs, ds is 9 months and weighs 27Lbs, dd is definitely easier to carry and feels a lot lighter.

there's also the issue there of the child's body control I think :)

[Maximum]

Hi - you're all making some interesting points, which are really relevant to me at the moment - I recently started the 'Big Babies' thread because I've been finding it difficult to carry my son around since he was around 3 months. This fits in with the theory about having difficult stages in babywearing. Also, I had decided for myself that part of the difficulty was that because he's still only 16 weeks, he can't really help in anyway with his positioning, so he's a heavy weight on my front. However, I'm already far stronger than I ever was pre-pregnancy (!) and I;m keen to keep going with this - all I have to do is work out how to do a safe back carry...

[fazzie]

i'm reading this thread and the big baby one with interest too - my son is heavy and long yet too young to help me! i too am looking forward to future back carries - but at the moment my back, neck and arms ache!!! my body actually feels weaker than pre pregnancy, but is gladly getting stronger by the day
xx