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Baby Wearing with a Disability – What works and What Doesn’t

Good news! It is possible for someone with mobility issues to carry their baby in a baby carrier. However, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before you decide whether it’s right for you, and to determine which baby carrier is the best fit for your personal needs. If you use a wheelchair you’ll find there are now some great wheelchair accessories to help you carry your baby, or you can adapt one of the popular baby carriers available on the market today.

The right carriers can make babywearing so much more natural, easy, and comfortable, and let you hold or carry your children while you take care of everyday work.

 

Benefits of babywearing

For wheelchair users, the most immediate benefit of babywearing is that it lets you carry your baby while your hands remain free. It also offers the additional advantage of creating a snug closeness that improves the parent and baby’s bonding.

Besides, with your baby in such proximity, you tend to communicate more with each other and can play an important part in your baby’s language development.

 

Selecting the right carrier

With so many different styles of baby carriers to choose from it can be hard to know where to start.

Here’s what works and doesn’t while using carriers in a wheelchair.

1. Keep your disability in mind.

You may be in a wheelchair for a variety of different reasons so it’s important that you select your baby carrier based on your disability or vulnerability.

For example, look for a baby carrier which evens out the weight across your back if you have a weak back, or avoids slings with band straps if your shoulders are painful or weak.

2. Ease of use

Select carriers that you can quickly put on and use. You don’t want something with complicated straps which is impossible to put on whilst sitting in a wheelchair.

3. Comfort

Comfort is critical because you will be carrying the weight of your baby for prolonged periods. It would be better to use a carrier which puts minimal pressure on your chest area if you suffer from neuromuscular disease.

4.  Breastfeeding

You never know when your newborn will get hungry and need feeding so having a breastfeeding-friendly carrier could be a big help if you are breastfeeding.

 

Pros and cons of different baby carriers for wheelchair parents

·  Lapbaby

The Lapbaby is a baby carrier designed especially for people who use a wheelchair.

Buy on walmart

 

· Wraps

Wraps  is a long piece of fabric you tie around yourself to hold your baby. So while it is useful for some wheelchair users, others may find it confusing to try and secure the wrap. It basically depends on your body, your disability, and how flexible your spine is.

 

·  Mei-Tai

The Mei-Tai is better for carrying one-year-old babies than newborns in a wheelchair. It’s because it’s easier to carry babies in Mei-Tais once they can sit up independently.

 

.Ring Slings

Many parents recommend a ring sling as a good option for carrying babies in a wheelchair. They are easy to get on and off and perfect for babies of all ages.

Besides, the extra support of your lap makes breastfeeding easy in this position.

Such as the  Tula ring sling↓

Buy Tula Ring Sling

 

· Soft-structured carriers

A secure soft-structured baby carrier such as the Tula baby carrier is an ideal choice depending on your mobility issues.

It provides a good balance of support, whilst still keeping your baby close. Look for something without uncomfortable buckles or large knots on the back which may be uncomfortable if you are in a wheelchair.
Buy on Tula


Hopefully, this article has given you a better idea of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to babywearing with a disability. The right carrier can make life so much easier, and improve the bonding between you and your baby!

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