RCS, and caring for a toddler

Peanut05

I know to take an easy, and was told not to lift anything beyond 10lbs, etc... My DS is about 30lbs, and although I'm not carrying him, to go through the whole day and not lift him to his high chair, or putting him in and out of his crib is almost an impossibility. MH has been super helpful, doing all that stuff the first few days. But between him going back to work, and my son sometimes crying for mommy to do it, I almost have to resume as normal, sort to speak. Of course, I'm being smart about my limitations, but I do have another child to care for. I'm feeling pretty good for the most part, (9 days pp), but do sometimes feel sore at days end, which I imagine is normal. Ladies with toddlers, how much are you doing, and/or what limitations do you have taking care of other dependent LO's. Thanks!

mlf625

Listen to your body. If it feels fine, it's fine.  DS was only 17 months when I had DD and I wasn't going to not care for him.  I was boosting him into his crib from the time I came home.  I did get him a little step stool to help him up into his booster seat and taught him to crawl up into his car seat himself, but otherwise, I just lifted slowly and carefully and never had an issue.

mrsseguin

DH was home for 2 weeks when #2 came along.  He did 95% of everything for DS as far as lifting and things were concerned.  If he wanted me, I'd have him come up to me on the couch, or play on the floor, but I'd try not to pick him up.  After DH went back to work, I pretty much had no choice.  Example: At the 2 week mark, I was bringing DS to DC, he wouldn't walk no matter what I did.  I ended up carrying him and the infant seat.  I cried when I got back to the car, it was SO painful.  I tried to avoid lifting him until doing 'normal' things were comfortable for me.  It was probably at least a good 2 months or so before I wasn't sore doing everything.

misthang_1

I was lifting DS by 10 days post c/s.  I was feeling good and he wanted me, so I lifted him up to the changing table and then in to bed.  I was a little sore from over doing it, but you do what you've got to do.  Only thing was that I had stopped bleeding, and after lifting DS I started having bleeding again.  I called my OB's office and was told it was totally normal.

When I was in the hospital I asked my doctor how long I needed to wait to lift my son and she told me 10-14 days, but that if I was to lift him when I got home I would be fine...it just isn't a good idea.

kcisthebombdotcom

I didn't lift my DS in his high chair/put him in his crib at all. He napped with me on the couch during the day at that point. We never used high chairs but booster seats so I never had to pick him up and put him in one. At four weeks PP I started going out/lifting both the kids more.

HeyJune

Not sure if this will help, but here are some things we started doing to prepare for my upcoming c-section. I have a 24 month old.

-  Bought this for naptime, since DH isn't home to lift our toddler into her bed during naps. My child loves her "new bed" and even wants to sleep in it at night. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Regalo-My-Cot-Travel-Bed/4433186

- I use this for meals. I plan to put it on the floor in the living room for meals and snack time for my toddler. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Healthy-Care-Deluxe-Booster/17201567

- Put several stools in the house (by the sink, potty, and in the garage to help her climb into our mid size SUV).

That at least eliminates the extra lifting. Caring for a toddler in general is tough. I imagine recovering while caring for one is extremely hard. Hang in there! 

 

 

Mrs. K in TX

HeyJune:

Not sure if this will help, but here are some things we started doing to prepare for my upcoming c-section. I have a 24 month old.

-  Bought this for naptime, since DH isn't home to lift our toddler into her bed during naps. My child loves her "new bed" and even wants to sleep in it at night. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Regalo-My-Cot-Travel-Bed/4433186

- I use this for meals. I plan to put it on the floor in the living room for meals and snack time for my toddler. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Price-Healthy-Care-Deluxe-Booster/17201567

- Put several stools in the house (by the sink, potty, and in the garage to help her climb into our mid size SUV).

That at least eliminates the extra lifting. Caring for a toddler in general is tough. I imagine recovering while caring for one is extremely hard. Hang in there! 

 

 

 

I was going to suggest things like this.  Your toddler is getting to the point where he wants to be more independent, and he will likely feel like a "big boy."