8. Ask for Help
Your partner, parents, in-laws, and friends are probably all very keen to help with baby, especially while you recover. Show them how to use the carrier, and enjoy the peace, knowing that baby likely feels safe, warm, and comforted.
Best carrier options for successful babywearing after a caesarean:
1. Stretchy Wrap: Super soft, mouldable, and forgiving. These wraps will support you and your baby in all the right places without putting pressure on any healing wounds. The long fabric may seem daunting at first, but with a tiny bit of practice, these wraps are fantastic and loved by many new parents.
2. Ring Sling: No waistband positioning so sling shouldn’t even come into contact with your scar. Your newborn will be carried upright, nice and high, slightly off-centre, and snug. A slight learning curve but you will get long-term use as your newborn grows.
3. Meh Dai: A meh dai has a waistband but it is made from woven wrap fabric with soft padding so will move with your body rather than being rigid. You get the best of both worlds with the easy layout of waistband, back panel, and shoulder straps, but all made from lovely soft woven fabric.
4. Woven Wrap: Soft like a stretchy wrap but slightly less mouldable.
5. Structured Carrier: Very quick and easy but potential to put slight rubbing pressure on your scar if not worn high enough.
Things might seem a little crazy at first. I mean, you have a newborn AND you’re dealing with recovering from surgery. Aren’t you lucky? 😉 But hopefully, before you know it, you’ll be feeling back to normal and giving baby all of the cuddles they want!
There really is nothing more perfect than newborn snuggles!
Originally published here.
Brooke Maree is one of Australia’s leading Babywearing Educators, Co-Founder of the Australian Babywearing Association, and Country Leader of Kangatraining Australia. She is passionate about advocating for babywearing safety and best practice and seeing all parents using their baby carrier with comfort and ease. Brooke is available for personalised consultations, workshops and trainings, and on social media providing endless resources and top tips! Find out more about her services at www.brookemaree.com.au.
