Baby on board! How to wear your toddler when pregnant.
Like breastfeeding, babywearing is something that astounds people when you do it while pregnant. Then you get the long winded of why they couldn't do it, and why you shouldn't do it either.
But they're not the ones dealing with a child who may possibly still even be under a year old, and just physically isn't ready to be walking long distances. Kiddo may object vociferously to the stroller, or are just more used to being babyworn and it works for you both. Your toddler will find the continued babywearing comforting as their world is changing with your new baby on the way.
Unless you are one of the unlucky ones with very bad SPD, or you have a health condition that is aggravated by pregnancy, then you don't have to stop wearing your toddler just because you're pregnant. You're not ill, just gestating!
Let's have a look at some of the issues to consider with babywearing while pregnant.
Factors include: how long you are used to babywearing, your own strength, the type of carrier, your toddler's size, and carrying methods.
For some of you this may not be an issue in the first few weeks anyway as it's hard to babywear with your head in the toilet. You have my sympathy!
For the rest of us, babywearing can carry on as usual- no tummy to get in the way, and we're out an about with our busy babywearing lives.
Pregnancy increases the production of relaxin in your body. This is responsible for allowing your body to loosen up and stretch to accommodate and birth your growing baby. It also lets you stretch too much sometimes with unfamiliar activities, so watch out for this.
Babywearing while pregnant is along the same lines as playing sports. When you are used to wearing your baby regularly over the course of a couple of years, your strength and stamina increase accordingly. Just like netball, it's not something you'd take up suddenly on a whim when you're 25 weeks along. Your muscles are used to carrying the weight of your toddler, in a certain way (usually relative to the carrier you use) So carry on doing the same carry methods with the same carrier if that is what works. You may need to switch to back carries if you haven't already, as this will be helpful especially with a heavy toddler.
When you have a well designed carrier, there is less chance of your body having to compensate for weight displacement. Your toddler is held in close to your rapidly-changing centre of gravity, and there is little strain on your back and body.
If you are not used to wearing your baby, suddenly deciding to resurrect the frontpack for your needy toddler is not such a great idea. The pram may have to make do for now, or see your local babywearing group for some real life help.
There are certain types of carriers that people find comfier than others, during pregnancy. I usually advise something symmetrical just because it evens out the weight distribution nicely.
Back carries are really good for pregnancy because you're usually quite busy, have the tum out the front, and the back is the best for load bearing (humans and backpacks go way back!)
Soft structured carriers are great for weight distribution and are ok until you start to really pop out the front. You can slip the waist band down further than usual, but there does come a point where it's just not going to be comfy. The firm waistband of the SSC can be particularly helpful for keeping hips supported if you have SPD.
A woven wrap can be brilliant, tied in a ruck with a tibetan finish at the chest so there's nothing on your tummy. (see Slingbabies Instructions page)
A double hammock carry is nice and supportive for a heavy toddler with the horizontal band around your chest. Be cautious with carries that are tight on your breast tissue e.g. that have a chest belt on your sternum, especially if you are still feeding: mastitis or blocked ducts can occur sometimes.
A Mei-tai can be handy, if you use a high back carry and avoid the bottom straps pressing on your belly. You can tie the straps in a Tibetan finish just like the woven wrap.
My favourite carrier for pregnancy is a Podaegi. This is a Korean back carrier, a rectangular panel of fabric with two shoulder straps that cross under the bottom and can be looped back through the shoulders to tie at the chest.
You can make these yourself, they are very easy for even the most basic sewer like me. See the Slingbabies Instructions page for how to wear a Podaegi. They are well worth trying out, and so fast to make.
A one shouldered carrier like a pouch can be handy if you're used to it, great for popping the toddler in to sit on your hip and take the weight so your spine doesn't curve as much. A good way to 'install' them is to put it on and kneel/squat down, bringing the sling over the top of them. Once they're in you can stand up again (with something to support you in the later weeks.)
What NOT to babywear with: please don't use your frontpack. It is not designed to spread the weight evenly and your toddler will soon be out of it with the low weight limit anyway. Avoid anything that puts your toddler's weight on your belly, for obvious reasons. Two shouldered back carriers are ideal instead. Don't wear a carrier that makes your back compensate. It's just not worth it! Anything with thin straps will hurt you, and watch for pressure on your breast tissue as mentioned above.
Let's face it, much of the time you may not feel like (or be up to) babywearing at all. Pregnancy can be exhausting and there's hardly a chance to stop and rest with a toddler to run after. Babywearing can help you continue meeting your toddler's needs in an easy and loving way.
As is the nature of things, your toddler babywearing will start to subside when the new baby comes along. And that's ok! You are all entering a new chapter in your lives and the dynamic will change accordingly. But your babywearing is there to buffer the way, and offer convenience and comfort for you, your belly babe and your big kid.
Kelly Reid offers her experience with pregnant babywearing. She is 35 weeks along, with 16 month Ariana and her two older boys Tyler 3, and Christian 5.
Q: What is your favourite carrier?
For me, I find either my podaegi tied up over my bump, or my woven wrap are the most comfortable, both with her on my back.
Q: How long can you carry Ariana for?
Usually not for more than an hour at one one time.
Q: How do your age gaps affect carrying?
Ariana is the youngest child I've needed to carry while pregnant at 16 months, with her I find my reasons to be using my carrier come up more frequently, as she often needs to be picked up. I found that hip carrying her without the support of a sling was causing stress on my back, particularly my lower vertebrate, and earlier in my pregnancy I caused a pinched nerve because of the constant unbalance that my back was trying to compensate for.
When I need to carry my older ones, who are 3 and 5, I use my husband, I find that really relieves the stress!
Thanks to Kelly Reid and Ariana, and Debbie Lovegrove's son Jason for his co-operation in the photos!
