Baby Wearing; What about the mom?
Baby wearing is a great way to strengthen the connection with baby, carry the baby hands free to accomplish other tasks and keep baby upright. Incorrect baby position may have negative consequences like increasing their risk for developmental hip dysplasia. I am thrilled to see people spreading awareness for safe baby wearing for the child. What I am not thrilled about is the lack of resources to make baby wearing safer for mom.
Baby wearing can put lots of pressure down on your healing pelvic floor, out on your healing abdominal wall or onto your over worked back. With so many different carriers available it is impossible to tell you exactly how to set up your carrier, but there are some general considerations to make to help keep mom safe while baby wearing.
Tips to keep mom safe during babywearing
1. Make sure you are cleared by your medical provider to baby wear, especially if you've had a c-section.
2. Wear the hip strap low on your hips and have it snug.
3. Wear the mid back strap snug enough to not allow your shoulders to pull forward.
4. Don't tuck your bottom under you to hold the weight of the baby on your abdomen.
5. Don't press your abdomen out towards the baby to support the baby with your abdomen.
6. Don't lean backwards to 'balance out' the weight.
7. Start slow! Try the carrier around the house for the first time wearing for 5-10 minutes rather than the whole day at the zoo.
8. Most important, listen to your body! If you have more pelvic floor symptoms (leaking, pelvic pain/pressure, feeling of something falling out or bulging from the vagina) during or after baby wearing and you've tried all the other tips stop wearing until you get help from a medical professional.
