Caregivers around the world have for many generations past, worn children while pregnant. In some communities, wearing is part of everyday life and people within the community share the responsibility of wearing – siblings wear siblings, other relatives or friends help out, etc. If you do not have others to share the load, you may find yourself needing wear out of necessity.
Though there aren’t specific rules, below are some tips and photos for helping you be (potentially) more comfortable!
Listen to your body!
Listen to your body. You know you best. If wearing is causing pain or contractions, take it easy and check in with your healthcare provider. If you’re on bed rest or have lifting restrictions, bring up whether wearing is going to be a safe option with your healthcare provider.
If you’re new to wearing, start out slow. You’ll likely need to build some endurance. There may be muscles you didn’t even know were there. There may be sweat. There may be tears. It’s okay. In-person help to get fitted for a carrier that’s most comfortable for you can be a great start! Babywearing Twin Cities holds several free meetings throughout the metro area each month.
Front/Hip Carries
Being pregnant does not mean forgoing front carries. You do you. Listen to your body. If wearing on the front is comfortable for you, go for it! Plus, what works during one trimester may not work for you in the next.

If a soft-structured carrier is your go-to for front carrying, keep using it until it is no longer comfortable. Some caregivers do not like pressure on the abdominal area when pregnant. Try a ring sling worn on the hip. Try woven wrap carries without a waist belt like a traditional sling carry, robin’s hip carry tied under bum, and poppin’s hip carry tied under bum (for potentially easier potty breaks because pregnancy often means frequent potty breaks and it might not press on your bladder as much either).

Back Carries
Back carries can be a great option when it isn’t comfortable to wear on the front or hip. Sometimes having a little human in your face, sticking their fingers up your nose just isn’t what you’re looking for. Options for back carries may include woven wrap carries with a waist-less finish or tying above the belly, bei dais, onbuhimos, or soft-structured carriers with the waistband placed where it’s most comfortable. Below are some photos for examples!






For more on wearing soft-structured carriers, check out our blog post at: https://babywearingtwincities.org/blog/soft-structured-carriers/

Note: ” Formerly referred to a “mei tai” (which is still used by some commercial brands); this spelling and pronunciation, however, is not accurate to the carrier’s history and should be avoided. Meh dai (Cantonese) or bei dai (Mandarin) are rectangles of fabric with straps at the top and bottom. Meh dai means “back carrying strap” where “meh/bei” means “carry on your back,” and “dai” means strap. ” (https://babywearingtwincities.org/blog/bwitccotm-bei-dai-meh-dai/)
Belly Wrapping
“Belly wrapping” or “bump wrapping” has been used by many cultures to ease some of the discomforts of pregnancy. Woven wrap, stretchy wraps, or ring slings are baby carriers that may be used to provide some support to the belly, hips, and back during pregnancy. With a longer woven or stretchy wrap, try a front wrap cross carry (or variant of) or something closer to a front torso carry for nothing over the shoulders with a shorter wrap or ring sling.

If you have any questions about babywearing, we encourage you to contact us and/or come learn in person at one of our meetings! Check out our Instagram @Babywearing.Twin.Cities and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BabywearingTwinCities/).
Images have image descriptions in the alternative text accessible to those who use screen readers.