diastasis recti

[Rose-Roget]

Dd is 3 weeks old. I've worn her in her Moby wrap a few times since I've felt like I have some core strength back and have needed my hands free. /At my 2 week pp check-up, my mw said that my diastasis recti is not closing as she would expect and mentioned the possibiity of a hernia or a prolapse if it doesn't. She gave me exercises to do, I bought a belly binder, and I may start PT if things don't start moving along.

I forgot to ask her, but I'm wondering if carrying baby for extended periods in a wrap would put unnecessary pressure on the muscles or cause me to contract them to "bulge" (I didn't pay attention to what my muscles were doing when I wore her previously). Anyone have experience with this? I realize this is not medical advice. TIA

[Lineymom]

Hey! I have a 3 week old too. I saw this post in the new posts.

I don't know how bad your seperation is but I would suggest definitely wearing the belly binder you got everytime you wear the baby. I do. My seperation is only about 2 finger widths now. I just use a velcro back brace thing I got from walmart years ago. I lay on the bed to put it on to get it pretty tight. I did the same thing after my 2nd pregnancy (this was my 3rd) The seperation was actually worse with it, he was bigger. I wore him a lot. The muscles came together and I had nice abs afterward ready to get them back!

[lifeguard]

I would think wearing would be better than picking up & putting down repeatedly.

[pixiepunk]

yes, you definitely can exacerbate a diastasis babywearing, especially front-carries. i agree you need to bind the belly when you wear her, and pay attention to keeping proper posture and not pushing your belly out to support the baby. make sure the wrap is good and tight and wear her nice and high. and don't do things like kick up to seated from laying down - roll to your side and push up.
here's an article i wrote about it, from a yoga perspective, for a friend's website. might be helpful: http://www.jenifermparker.com/12.html

[Rose-Roget]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I think I will concentrate on healing myself and continue wearing baby afterward. It's a shame because she does not want to be put down - ever - and wearing her would make life so much easier. But no sense exacerbating the problem - that wouldn't be good for either of us. I appreciate it your advice!