Slings after a caesar?

[suse]

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.