Lifting baby in car seat after c-section

bananna4 · March 2014

How soon after a c-section is it ok to carry the baby in his car seat? At the time of my hospital discharge I was told that I was only allowed to lift the baby and nothing heavier than that. I am 3 weeks post surgery now and wondering when I can go out on my own with the baby (i.e., be able to carry the baby in his car seat). I was still on pain meds and completely forgot to ask this basic question at my ob follow up visit.

mrsdahamm · March 2014

I waited about two weeks I think.

YankeePeach08 · March 2014

Same here, 2 weeks

YankeePeach08 · March 2014

PerkyErky · March 2014

I am 3 weeks pp and started lifting him and carrier this week.

amdecker1016 · March 2014

Three weeks!

lindsey1031 · March 2014

I started at 1 day shy of 2 weeks. I had to go grocery shopping and couldn't wait another day!

MA&CB · March 2014

I can't remember what I did with my first. I know it's too heavy right now, so I figured I could just put him in and out and either use the snap and go or use the moby because we have a couple appointments later this week

ardmj80 · March 2014

I carried my babies in their carriers right away ... I haven't had any issues, but babies weigh roughly 6lb each

Brissett · March 2014

10 days out but, only out of total necessity. I have also been lifting my 14 month old (22 pounds). Not ideal but, necessary!

pepperedmoth · March 2014

To solve the immediate problem, why not just carry the baby without the car seat? (Like.....bring empty car seat to car and snap into base. Then bring baby to car in separate trip. At store, just take baby out of car seat and carry in soft carrier/wrap/whatever you have).

PerkyErky · March 2014

pepperedmoth said:
To solve the immediate problem, why not just carry the baby without the car seat? (Like.....bring empty car seat to car and snap into base. Then bring baby to car in separate trip. At store, just take baby out of car seat and carry in soft carrier/wrap/whatever you have).

That's what I did if DH wasn't around to carry him.

Pankers · March 2014

I was told nothing heavier than baby in the car seat for 2 weeks ..... I would just take it easy and if it feels odd/too much, don't do it. I'll be 3 weeks pp tomorrow and plan on driving for the first time and putting her in the car in the car seat. I feel like I have had a pretty good recovery though.

sebullows · March 2014

Im 3 weeks pp today and lifted him for the first time last Thursday.. LO had a dr appt and I had no choice but to meet DH there. This was also my first time driving. It didn't hurt at all and I have been fine.

MeggsM · March 2014

Crazy I've been told 6 weeks to drive and to carry anything heavier than a car seat.

sebullows · March 2014

Rad&Co said:

MeggsM said:
Crazy I've been told 6 weeks to drive and to carry anything heavier than a car seat.
Yikes! I was just told not to drive on the pain meds do I stopped taking them after a week because I wanted to be able to drive if I wanted to. I would feel trapped if I couldn't drive for 6 weeks!

This. I was told 10 days before I was allowed to drive.. And that had to be med free and be able to slam on breaks if needed.

VineyardMel · March 2014

I did it for our two week appts, but used the snap and go stroller so I only carried it to/from the car. I love the snap and go!

SurpriseAt39 · March 2014

MeggsM said:
Crazy I've been told 6 weeks to drive and to carry anything heavier than a car seat.

I've never had a c-section, but I've had 2 abdominal surgeries with long vertical incisions.

First surgery: They told me not to carry more than 5 lbs (note I said carry). Not to lift more than 10 lbs. and not to drive until 6 weeks. *I wasn't on anything stronger that Tylenol or ibuprofen.

Second surgery: same guidelines, except font drive until I can slam on the brakes without causing myself pain. (To test, imagine driving and having to suddenly avoid hitting someone...)

** don't forget, I live in Canada. And my surgeries were at different hospitals in Manitoba.
I'm sure each country may have different instructions.

VanessaBee · March 2014

I'm 11 days pp and I've lifted it once or twice for short distances without issue. I think officially, two weeks (as long as you don't have extenuating complications) is the mark.

MA&CB · March 2014

I wasn't given an exact time frame for driving - I was basically told to resume my normal activities when I felt comfortable enough to do so (and when off the pain pills). I plan to drive tomorrow to take him to his pedi appointment, and that will be about a week and half post-surgery.

jazzyexpo · March 2014

I just got my OK to carry the car seat with him at my 2 week appt.

Grenagh · March 2014

Maybe a stupid question but are you all driving when you carry the car seat? In Ireland we're not allowed drive for 6 weeks post c-section. I'd be interested if you guys have different rules in case of emergencies.

Edit: pressed done too quickly

jazzyexpo · March 2014

Grenagh said:
Maybe a stupid question but are you all driving when you carry the car seat? In Ireland we're not allowed drive for 6 weeks post c-section. I'd be interested if you guys have different rules in case of emergencies.

Edit: pressed done too quickly

I was told I could drive today at my 2 week appt, unless I'm still taking the major pain medicine. Interesting that it's 6 weeks there.

MeggsM · March 2014

SurpriseAt39 said:

MeggsM said:

** don't forget, I live in Canada. And my surgeries were at different hospitals in Manitoba.
I'm sure each country may have different instructions.

Maybe it's a canadian thing ? I'm in Ontario and for everyone else I know who have had a c/s 6 weeks is the norm.

teachermommy9967 · March 2014

I too am in ontario and was told 6 weeks before lifting anything heavier then baby.

stephmsully · March 2014

I carried car seat on day 4! Doc said nothing heavier than the baby but life happens. So car seat was ok.

I'm day 9 from csection and on no Meds either!

Also drove today- as long as I'm not on Meds he said that was ok!!!

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