I’ve been using front carries with Grace since she was tiny, and they still seem to be the most comfortable, despite her being 2.5! Problem is, it’s no longer that comfortable for me in my present state, and she does still sometimes need to be carried. I’ve always only managed back carries for very short periods.

I’ve got access to most kinds of slings - any ideas as to what I should be using and how I should be using it in order to continue to babywear despite pregnancy? Ideally something quick - she won’t really tolerate a long-winded process, as she only wants to be carried when tired (and cranky!).

Thanks,

Angie

Obviously I don’t have experience of babywearing whilst pregnant, but what about a MT back carry? I’d suggest a back wrap cross carry with rucksack straps, but that’ probably too long winded for Grace.

MT back carry, definitely..  I had to move Lowenna tons back carry by 3 months pregnant (8 months old) as I couldn’t manage her in a front carry so couldn’t imagine the same with a toddler - and we carried Jocelyn in a front carry only too so I’m used to FC with toddlers!  I found the waist straps needed to go under my boobs and likewise with the shoulder straps..  I stopped carrying her a couple of weeks ago at 34 weeks pregnant but that’s pelvis related rather than pregnancy so you should be able to carry right through!  I can pm/post a photo of me with her at 16ish and 28 weeks PG if you like so you can see how it works if you wanted?

I’d agree with a MT back carry, you’ll have to experiment whether you tie above or below bump. Another option I used a lot in my last pregnancy is a short wrap in a back carry, if you tie it ‘RUB’ (ruck tied under bum) or RRRR (Reinforced Rear Rebozo Ruck) there is nothing tied around your middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UAD35Z1aFQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLtoOvg_Jo

Hmm, that’s what I was worried about -if I do back carry her it is in a high back carry in a MT (both sets of straps tied over my chest), but i can’t manage for long as I need it tied so tight to stop my shoulders hurting that it restricts my breathing! Will have another look at back wrapping if Grace will tolerate it!

ETA: Ok, those rucksack ones look pretty good actually - with a bit of practise I might manage those fairly quickly. Of course, as short wrap is probably the only one I don’t have access to! Do I need to go sling buying…?;)

Angie

Both of my girls are back-carry refusers! When pregnant with Fliss I used a ring sling for Leni on my hip. She could tuck her leg over the bump and we found it pretty comfortable, just swapped sides every few hours. I can still carry Fliss on my front atm (15 weeks now!) but I’ll have to change over soon so I’ve bgun using the ring sling more.

Clarexxx

I very rarely back carry, I don’t generally find it comfortable either (you look tall like me… I wonder if it has something to do with body shape. are tall women more prone t back pain? ) , especially durig pregnancy and also much of our love for babywearing comes from the responsiveness it enables in us a parents and I find it’s easier to connect with a baby in a buggy than one I can’t really see at all.

I use my ring slings alot during pregnancy and I still use the fwcc too. I find the early second trimester the hardest for babywearing,  when I have a ‘swell’ but not yet a bump. Once bump is developed a bit more the lo’s just sit a bit higher on top of the bump with the sling tied quite securely so that they aren’t putting too much weight on. xx

Dawn, that’s exactly it! I have a bit of a swell, and it’s squishy enough to be *really* uncomfortable when Grace’s weight squashes it down. Good to know it might get a bit easier! I have to say, I am *waaay* less precious about the bump this time round - I was even worried about pushing a shopping trolley last time - this time it is being constantly climbed on by a small girl!

Angie

I have a Boba soft structured carrier and still carry my 2.5 yo son in it while 6 months pregnant with back carry.  It has excellent waist band that takes most of the weight and can sit just under the bump.  I had MT and ergo in the past but found the weight carried too much on my shoulders when he leaned back out of the carrier.  Wondering now if it’s too much to think I could have #2 on the front in the Moby and #1 on my back!

Ooh, Clare, I didn’t know you were pregnant - must have missed the announcement lol! Well done! 

I back carry, sometimes hip carry when my 2 were older babies/toddlers. Front carries I rarely did past 6-9mths as it caused too much strain on my lower bad back.

When pregnant, I can’t tolerate anything near bump, especially in 2nd half of pregnancy so I mostly Wrap-for shorter/quickie carries I use a shorter length Woven and do Rucks and tie above bump/under my boobs.
For longer carries I like to do carries that tie over my chest/tibetan tie-mostly Reinforced Rucks.

And I also like Podegi’s (Pod’s), sorta like a Mei Tai but no waist straps, which I tie above bump.

MT’s I can only tolerate for short periods of time and tie waist straps under bump

Ring Slings/hip carries I can’t do in the 2nd half of pregnancy, partly cos either DD or DS were too close to bump, but more because it strained my back too much. Back carries though I find fine and it helps to balance out the weight of bump.

Once I had an established bump I wore a Mei Tei tied under my bump but my favourite was a ring sling pulled very high so legs went over the bump

Good luck,
sarie