Babywearing is a great way to bond with your baby, all while keeping them calm and quiet. It's also a great way to keep your older baby safe and out of trouble, while still keeping your hands free for whatever you need to get done. It's no surprise that babywearing is a major hit for parents, and many babies are worn well into their toddlerhoods, mine included. Even if you are pregnant when your little one still likes being worn, it can be perfectly safe to do so. But, how long can you babywear when you're pregnant? It depends.
The most important thing to consider while pregnant and babywearing is your own individual body, along with the recommendations and medical advice of your doctor. According to Babywearing International (BWI), if you are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, and are already accustomed to babywearing, it should be safe for you to continue babywearing just as you would any other physical activity. But, you should always check with your doctor first.
Alternatively, as BWI mentioned, if you're having a higher-risk pregnancy, have been given instructions not to lift anything of a certain weight, or find babywearing to give you new pain, aches, or contractions, you should refrain from wearing your older baby while pregnant.
When considering how long you can safely wear your baby into your subsequent pregnancy, there are a few factors to consider. As noted by BWI, balance and fatigue are two things that tend to get aggravated as pregnancy advances.
Dr. Daniel Shapiro, reproductive endocrinologist from Prelude Fertility, confirms this. He says, in an interview with Romper, that as long as there are no other pregnancy concerns, there’s no reason you can't babywear through your entire pregnancy. Shapiro does mention that as your stomach continues to grow, it might prove increasingly difficult to babywear, and possibly cause back pain, so it's always important to listen to your body and your doctor.
When considering babywearing later into your pregnancy, it's vital to listen to your body and its cues in order to ensure the safety of you and both of your babies. When your body is tired or feels unstable, it's important to refrain from babywearing. (I mean, technically you're already wearing a baby, right? So give yourself a break.) If you miss wearing your little one, don't worry — you'll get a chance to wear two of them again soon.
