"People keep telling me that I shouldn't be picking up my son (who is 25 pounds and just a baby himself) while I'm pregnant. But I can't avoid it. What should I do?"
If you're a mom-to-be with younger children at home, it can be understandably challenging — if not impossible — to completely avoid lifting your little ones while you're growing another little one inside you.
As long as your doctor has not restricted your activity (or your lifting), it's not a problem to lift your big baby, but get clearance for baby lift-off from your doctor first. And always let your practitioner know if you experience any pain or spotting after lifting a younger child.
As long as your lifting is unrestricted, make sure you're doing it in a way that doesn't hurt your back. To safely pick up a bigger baby or younger toddler during pregnancy, keep these steps in mind before you lift:
- Stabilize your body first by assuming a wide stance (feet shoulder-width apart).
- Tuck your buttocks in.
- Bend at the knees, not at the waist, and lift (not abruptly) with legs rather than your back.
If lifting your younger child does hurt your back, blame your back — not the baby (no need to set the stage for sibling rivalry just yet!). Or just do more sitting and cuddling!
Good luck,
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