There is no single best baby carrier for every parent with back pain. If you have a back or neck condition, check with your doctor or physical therapist before babywearing (Konny FAQ). After that, choose a carrier that is light and easy to put on alone, pick the right size, wear it snug, and take breaks.
Konny's CEO and Product Lead learned she had a herniated cervical disc after giving birth. So the first carrier Konny made was a lighter one (Konny FAQ). Konny FLEX is a 7 oz (195 g) no-tie wrap you pull on like a T-shirt, with sashes over both shoulders.
Wear FLEX snug: "A loose carrier is less safe and harder on your back" (Konny FAQ).
Before you start
Have two things ready:
- A talk with your doctor or physical therapist, if you have a back or neck condition (Step 1).
- Your pre-pregnancy clothing size. Pick your Konny carrier by the clothing size you wore before pregnancy. Your height and your baby's weight don't decide it. Dads go by their regular T-shirt size (Size Guide).
How to choose and wear a baby carrier if you have back pain
Step 1: Check with your doctor or physical therapist
Every body is different. If you have a back or neck condition, check with your doctor or physical therapist before babywearing (Konny FAQ).
Step 2: Choose a carrier that is light and easy to put on alone
Konny's CEO and Product Lead found that "structured carriers were hard to put on alone, and some left the shoulders and neck aching more" (Konny FAQ).
FLEX weighs 7 oz (195 g). You pull FLEX on like a T-shirt, place your baby inside, and wrap the sash around (Find Your Carrier). FLEX's sashes "spread over both shoulders and distribute your baby's weight evenly across your torso" (Konny FAQ).
Step 3: Pick the right size
FLEX comes in two sizes. XS-XL is for women's US dress sizes 0-6, and M-4XL is for 8-18. Size up if you weigh more than 22 lbs (10 kg) over your pre-pregnancy weight (Size Guide).
If you fall between sizes (US dress size 6-8), choose M-4XL when your bust measures more than 37 inches (95 cm) or you share the carrier with a larger partner. Choose XS-XL if you share it with a slimmer partner (Size Guide).
Step 4: Wear it snug
FLEX has a numbered size adjuster: "FLEX adjusts from 1 to 13, so you can tighten it for a snug fit." Before your baby goes in, put the empty carrier on and stretch it out. You should have room for two to three fists between it and your chest (Size Guide).
Step 5: Set the back panel and sashes
Pull the back panel down as far as it goes, centered on the middle of your back. Spread each sash wide across your shoulder, the way you would wear a shawl (Size Guide).
Step 6: Check the fit with your baby in
Once your baby is in, check the size a second time. Look down. Can you kiss the top of your baby's forehead with ease? If not, change the size adjuster setting until you can.
Konny's guide on how to check your carrier fit covers the same FLEX fitting steps.
Step 7: For a baby who sits up, a hip seat is another option
Konny's Dual Support Hip Seat "gives your child a non-slip bottom pad to sit on" (Find Your Carrier). It goes over one shoulder. It weighs 8 oz (230 g) and comes in one size that fits wearers from XS to 4XL.
"For a sitting baby, the Dual Support Hip Seat spreads the weight with a wide shoulder strap, and its back panel helps reduce wrist strain" (Konny FAQ).
It works on either hip, in a side carry or a face-to-face carry. "A hip seat is not hands-free. Always keep one hand behind your child’s back, and lift them in and out with the buckle fastened." (Find Your Carrier)
Step 8: Take breaks
Take breaks. Konny recommends keeping each carry under two hours (Konny FAQ).
Not sure about the fit?
Take a photo while you wear the carrier and send it to Konny through live chat. The team will check the fit. The Size Guide has the full size chart.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the size by your height or your baby's weight. Go by the clothing size you wore before pregnancy (Before you start).
- Wearing it loose. Tighten FLEX with the size adjuster for a snug fit (Step 4).
- Letting the back panel ride up. Pull it down as far as it goes, centered on your back (Step 5).
- Skipping the second size check after your baby is in. If you can't kiss the top of your baby's forehead, change the size adjuster setting (Step 6).
- Carrying for more than two hours without a break. Keep each carry under two hours (Step 8).
- Using a hip seat hands-free. Keep one hand behind your child's back (Step 7).
FAQ
Can I use a baby carrier if I have back or neck pain?
Every body is different. If you have a back or neck condition, check with your doctor or physical therapist before babywearing (Konny FAQ). Then follow the eight steps above.
How much does Konny FLEX weigh?
Konny FLEX weighs 7 oz, or 195 g (Konny FAQ). Both FLEX fabrics, SoftBreeze™ and AirMesh™, are in the FLEX collection.
How do I know my carrier is tight enough?
Before your baby goes in, stretch out the empty carrier and check for room: two to three fists between it and your chest. With your baby in, check that you can kiss the top of your baby's forehead. If you can't, change the size adjuster setting (Steps 4 and 6).
How long should I carry my baby at a time?
Konny recommends keeping each carry under two hours and taking breaks between carries (Konny FAQ).