early on precautions for baby #2 (ie lifting #1 out of crib, etc)?

alixhayes · June 2011

hi ladies! i noticed putting my 10mo old in the crib (and lifting out) my belly gets super squished on the crib rail. i've even lifted my feet off the ground before (i'm 5'4")...i think i finally need a step stool! anyway, did you do anything early on to prevent strain on your 2nd pregnancy? i know most drs will say "go about your normal biz" but i was just curious. (also -- even am breastfeeding he still kicks me in the tummy b/c we do it laying on our side...so i think i should watch my son's belly kicks etc.)

sweetpea2003 · June 2011

I am 5'4" too.

No, I really didn't do anything. At 5 weeks your baby is very small and well cushioned so it isn't a huge deal for your belly to get a little squished. And by the time you are really showing, your LO will be able to stand up and "help you" lift him out. There were a few times I struggled (DD was being difficult or didnt' want to get out of her crib and I was 7+ months along) but that was few and far betwen. I never found myself in a position where I needed a step stool.

And no, I wouldn't worry about the kicks while nursing. Believe me, my DD climed all over me when I was pregnant with DS. Even being high risk for PTL I was 100% fine. I asked my doctors about it and they said that lifting, carrying, and playing with DD (which sometimes includes kicks and nudges) is totally fine. I had to cut back a little on the lifting toward the end but that was because I had cervix issues... if you have a normal pregnancy, you have nothing to worry about.

KimW · June 2011

When bf'ing on your side, put a thing pillow between your belly and his legs. He can still kick, but your belly won't take the brunt. I remember it being uncomfortable when lying DD in her crib, but without any choice, I just was careful about it.

4realyo · June 2011

at 5 weeks your uterus isnt even close to being above your pubic bone - so there is no way something against your belly could be harmful. even when you are further along the baby is very well protected. it gets more difficult getting LO #1 out of the crib as you get bigger because the belly gets in the way, but its not a big deal at all.

Megan.10.06 · June 2011

I agree with PP - your uterus doesn't rise out of your pelvis until at least 10 weeks. I actually 'showed' earlier than that, but it was my other organs rising up and out, not baby

I am 5'2, and I put my 21mo old DS in his crib until the night before I was induced. As you start to show, you'll be able to turn to the side a bit when laying your older child down, so you'll lean on your side and not your belly.

Lambie. · June 2011

I agree that at 5 weeks it makes no difference but I did train DD to come over to me and stand up so I could get her out stat (she was about 7-8 months at the time). We have perfected that now.

alixhayes · June 2011

tx ladies! i like the pillow idea...

mari_gold · June 2011

You'll be fine. By the time your stomach is big enough to get in the way you'll be able to put LO in the crib standing up (and get him/her out that way, too). The kicking shouldn't be a problem either; DS was climbing on me and sitting on my stomach maybe a week before my due date, and he's not tiny (29ish lb). It wasn't fun and I pulled him off right away, but there was no harm to baby.

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early on precautions for baby #2 (ie lifting #1 out of crib, etc)?

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