Is it NG to hold your baby while pregnant? About using a baby carrier during your second pregnancy

Mothers who are pregnant with their second child may be faced with the problem of holding their older child, such as not allowing pregnant women to carry heavy things or being unable to hold their older child because of their stomach. Can I hold my baby during pregnancy, or is it okay to use a baby carrier? Let's check out the points of interest.

Is it OK to hold you during pregnancy?

There is a widespread belief that pregnant women should not lift heavy objects, but there is no problem in carrying your baby even during pregnancy.
You may have heard that lifting heavy objects can lead to miscarriage, but there is actually no scientific basis for this, so there is no need to worry more than necessary.

However, it is true that if you push hard, your abdominal pressure will rise. Although this does not immediately put your baby in danger, it can cause your stomach to bloat and your lower back to hurt, so it is best to avoid situations where abdominal pressure increases as much as possible.

When picking up a child from a low position, it is recommended that you crouch down, then stand up slowly by raising one knee to avoid putting too much pressure on your stomach.

In addition, staying in the same position for a long time, standing still, and having a hunched back or arched back can also cause abdominal pressure to increase. Be careful.

In the middle to late stages of pregnancy, when your baby's belly bulges out and it becomes difficult to hold your baby, you should hold your baby with your pelvis instead of in front of your body, a so-called ``waist hug.'' It is convenient because you can hold your baby close to your body while avoiding your stomach, but it is also true that the strain is placed on only one side of your body, which can easily cause pain in your lower back and back. It is a good idea to frequently switch sides and take alternative measures such as using a stroller or having your child walk so that it does not take too long.

Can I use a baby carrier?

As long as your stomach is not noticeable, such as during early pregnancy, you can continue using the products you have been using as usual.
If your baby's belly grows and it becomes difficult to carry him from the front, we recommend switching to a piggy-back position if you have a multi-functional baby carrier. Of course, you can also use a piggyback strap.

After the second trimester of pregnancy, the waist belt gradually becomes difficult to tighten, or the belt is not long enough, making it impossible to use a buckle-fastening carrier. In such cases, it is convenient to use something that does not tighten around the stomach area, such as a shoulder-type baby carrier or sling. However, in that case, you have to support the weight only with your shoulders, which has the disadvantage of making your neck, shoulders, and lower back more likely to hurt. ``Back then, my shoulders were always pounding,'' said a senior mother looking back with a wry smile.

A convenient baby carrier that will be your ally when raising children. Many people may be wondering how long they can use it or what type is best, but since the discomfort, pain, and anxiety felt when the stomach is compressed varies from person to person and also depends on the physical condition at the time, there is not necessarily a clear way to deal with it depending on the pregnancy period, such as ``this is what you should do at this time.'' Please consult your physical condition and consult your family doctor if necessary.

Things to be careful when hugging

When carrying your older child while pregnant with your second or subsequent child, the most important thing to be careful of is not to overdo it.

Carrying your baby is fine, but if you lift something heavy or move too much, your baby's stomach will bloat. There's no need to worry too much, as most things will subside after you rest for a while, but be careful not to ignore your body's signals telling you, ``You're putting too much stress on yourself. Don't push yourself too hard.''

``Waist hugging'' involves holding a person with the pelvis supported instead of in front of the body. This is a convenient way to hold your baby even as your belly grows, but you need to be careful during the third trimester.

During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is secreted in preparation for childbirth, which gradually loosens the ligaments in the pelvis and other areas. This is necessary to make it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal, but it makes the joints around the pelvis unstable, making it more likely to cause lower back pain, and in the later stages of pregnancy, there is a risk that putting pressure on them may induce labor pains and lead to premature birth. Therefore, hold back hugs that put stress on your pelvis by twisting your body for a short period of time, and avoid using them too often.

If you try not to overdo it, the number of times and time you can hold your baby will inevitably decrease.
That can't be helped.
Even so, I don't want you to feel lonely! There are many mothers who think so.
It is very important to make time to interact with children in order to cultivate a rich sense of emotional well-being. Give your pet lots of love by sitting on your lap and cuddle with them, or by increasing your physical contact.