No, if your DP feels up for it, she can use a carrier straight away after a caesar. If anything, it may actually help to keep strain off the stomach muscles because the weight of the baby is supported by the shoulders or back rather than the arms. Although some carriers are obviously going to be more suitable than others. Ring slings, pouches and wraps are fine, even MTs can be used if they are tied well above the wound site.
I started using carriers almost immediately after my return from hospital (I had no such direction not to use them), and know many others who did too. Of course, it depends on how your wife feels, and with any carrying, it takes a little time to condition the muscles, so she should take it slowly at first and build up her carrying strength. She should also be mindful that the carrier is well fitting and holds bub snugly to her body with no sag or lean, which will put strain on her shoulder muscles and cause the stomach muscles to contract to take up the load. I would recommend looking on YouTube for some videos (or check out thebabywearer) on correct carrying positions.
Congratulations to you both!!
ETA: I should be clear in saying that if she is going to be carrying a babe in arms anyway, (which is often the case, because babies don't know that their mums need to rest and recover, and some babies will only settled whilst being carried and upright, and walked around constantly, like mine did), then using a carrier is preferable because it allows a more natural posture to be maintained and reduces strain on healing muscles. It can be all very well to say that one shouldn't use carriers for six weeks (or do other things), but the reality is that many mums do not have any other option because they have a baby to look after and may not have other support. My DP had to return to work after four days and I had no option but to manage. In my case a carrier helped immensely.
Last edited by suse; March 31st, 2009 at 03:33 PM.
I had Juliette (9lb 14oz) on the Saturday & carried her in the sling from the ward to the car on the Tuesday when we went home. No-one said anything. The way I see it is that I was allowed to carry her so what difference did it make if I carried her in my arms or in the sling. I used the Moby (wrap carrier) for the first time at exactly six weeks.
If she is using the sling properly it isn't going to hurt because as Sarah said, she'd be carrying bub anyway. I can't remember when i tried the carrier but I know I just played it by ear, if I was getting sore or tired I'd stop, if it hurt I'd stop.
If she feels like she can do it then I think it's fine. I was using the Hug-a-bub about 2 wks after my cs. Just made sure it was tied up above my scar. It was actually much easier for me to carry her in it than in my arms.
No problems here either using the HAB within 2 wks of the birth. I'd have used it earlier, but I didn't figure out how to wrap it!
(I was also able to do an emergency brake and drive less than 2 wks after my c/s, which was the criteria according to my ob, and I have never had any problems with my scar or anything else related).
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