Picking Up A Baby

November 6, 2003

OK, HERE'S ANOTHER QUESTION. (THIS BOARD IS A LIFESAVER!) i HAVE A 15 MONTH OLD WHO LOVES TO BE HELD, LIKE ALL THE TIME. WILL I BE ABLE TO PICK HIM UP AND CARRY HIM POST OP? IF NOT, ABOUT HOW LONG TILL HE CAN CRAWL ALL OVER ME AGAIN?

THANKS!

Alexandra · November 6, 2003

Hi again, Julie:

The instructions for post-op are usually something like don't pick up anything that weighs more than 10 lbs. for at least a couple of weeks. As a mom of a 2 year-old, I let that rule go out the window pretty quickly. I mean, both of my kids were sitting on my lap a week later, and another week after that I'm sure I was lifting the younger one a couple of times here and there. And she weighs over 30 lbs.

This is one of those situations where you have to really listen closely to your body. If you feel tension in your waist when you're lifting something, you probably don't want to be lifting it at that time. But certainly by the third week you should be OK to lift your child occasionally. As for crawling on you? As long as your baby can avoid your incisions, let him roam!

claraluz · November 6, 2003

I tried to adhere to the no lifting rule, but I live alone and there was laundry to do, etc. I tried to do as much as possible before surgery and I also tried to modify tasks as much as possible. Instead of carrying all the clothes to the washer at once, I just took a few at a time and made more trips.

Try to put off lifting your child for as long as possible. It's fine for him to snuggle with you, sit in your lap, etc. I know it will be hard, but do your best.

Nancy