https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 03:06:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2297636 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:51:02 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2297636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I carried and wore L last time until 33 weeks. I only stopped because I was having some hip pain at night on days I wore her a lot.</p> <p>I carry them both now. Often at the same time. That's 50ish pounds of kid.</p> <p>I haven't asked my doc about it, but L was at my last appointment and I definitely held her in front if my doc without comment.</p> <p>You'll be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2297633 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:49:59 +0000 mrskc 2297633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't worry about and carried my 2 year old throughout my whole pregnancy. I think it's ok since your body is already used to lifting and carrying that weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2297630 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:48:42 +0000 dolphin 2297630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I had a vaginal delivery. She just said I shouldn't bend down and lift DD to avoid the stitches tearing down there. Ouch! But there were times where I had DH lift DD and hand her to me, so less strain below! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2297629 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:46:27 +0000 blackbird 2297629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I don't think I would count a toddler as "heavy lifting" :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2297594 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:30:37 +0000 californiadreams 2297594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks everyone for the replies, it makes me feel like i'm all good since it seems like the amount i carry him is similar to what others are describing. And even more so these past few days, i am making an effort to carry him for shorter periods or insist on alternative methods. Sometimes when we are out and about, i am more firm about what his choices are and it works. Other times of course (like when he is over tired or hungry), it is not worth the battle. I carry him to preschool often in the morning (it saves time over trying to get him to walk and i need to get to work!), but it is literally a 2-3 minute walk, but then he also doesn't want to be put down right away once we are there so it is a bit longer. But if my arms are sore, i tell him i have to put him down for a minute and i do. So i guess i am okay. I was a bit worried after my doctor's comment and this past weekend, we had a long difficult day doing errands and he was tired and more needy than usual i guess and i actually felt a bit sore under my bump by the end of day. He is also usually okay for DH to take him when i need, but we are not always with DH. I will still ask my midwives about it at my next appt and see what they say.</p> <p>@MamaBehr: i was wearing LO until a couple of weeks ago, i just don't do it very often because he doesn't like it like he used to, he prefers for me to carry him without the carrier! And the last time i did, it felt a bit squishy on my bump. If i can convince to let me try him in a back carry, i might be able to go back to it.</p> <p>@hilsy85: i definitely tell LO that I can't carry him because he is heavier than he used to be (getting bigger) and now because i have a baby in my tummy, so i can't carry him for as long. But that doesn't stop him from asking the next time, lol.</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: i'm a high risk pregnancy because of my high blood pressure, but i don't think that carrying him increases my risk. the BP just puts me at greater risk for developing pre-eclampsia</p> <p>@dolphin: was the recommendation about not carrying him after birth the same whether you had a vaginal delivery or c section?</p> <p>@mrs.kiwi: at least you got some concrete guidelines that sound more do-able when you have a toddler!</p> <p>@Cherrybee: sorry you had to deal with bleeding so early on :( Have you asked E if she can climb into her carseat? LO started doing this sporadically a while ago and now he seems to prefer it, except of course for the odd where he insists i pick him up still!</p> <p>@blackbird: my OB didn't say it was a direct definite cause, but she said there have been recent (i think she said recent) studies that link heavy lifting with increase risk of miscarriage. I have found her a bit extreme with some of her other advice too, so i am taking it with a grain of salt. For example, she has also been strongly emphasizing that i should not gain a pound over 25 pounds and said that she tells all her patients this. However i know the typical recommended amount is 25-35! And i gained 45 in my last pregnancy and my OB (different one) never had an issue because everything else was fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296853 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:47:05 +0000 autumnlove 2296853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I carried my LOs a lot during my pregnancies. I think it is ok if it isn't all day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296842 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:35:22 +0000 blackbird 2296842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So....I lifted heavy weights while pregnant with T (and i have a history of m/c) and my dr recommends 45 lbs as the max. I wore E a few times, too. But i am of the belief that you do what is comfortable. I was under the impression that lifting heavy=miscarriage is sort of outdated advice! Especially a toddler. I mean, how unrealistic </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296820 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:21:13 +0000 mrsrain 2296820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, I honestly never even thought about it! LO is 25 lbs now at 16 months, and will be 22 months when the baby arrives. She just started walking last month, so I still carry her a lot. I guess I'll keep carrying her until my third trimester and then see what the midwives say. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296804 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:00:25 +0000 brownie 2296804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two uncomplicated pregnancies and I carried my 4 year old (32#) throughout the second one. I have pictures of him in the carrier and me being 3 months pregnant at disneyland. I also did Crossfit throughout my first pregnancy. I was also a gymnastic coach and worked until my 39th week.</p> <p>I think you gage what you can do and are comfortable with. But they also need to become more independent at the same time because you will need that. They also need your attention. Could your lo feel he isn't getting a need met right now so he is extra clingy? Maybe there is another time you can have physical touch.</p> <p>I also combo wear my kids. My 4 year old on my back and the baby on my front now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296788 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 07:31:36 +0000 BandDmommy 2296788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 3 year old and a 10 month old. I carry my 10 month old obviously but not my 3 year old. When I was pregnant with my 2nd I did carry my 2 year old but he was small and I only carried him short distances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296785 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 07:27:25 +0000 LulaBee 2296785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still carry my 3 year old at 29 weeks. Even the week that I was on bed rest, the high risk OB said it's not realistic to ask me not to pick her up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296777 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 07:19:56 +0000 Corduroy 2296777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor said it was fine as long as I felt up to it. We tried to slowly adjust our lifestyle to less lifting. We did crib transition, got a stool for the bathroom, let LO climb into her booster, turned the carseats FF and taught LO to climb in (I couldn't get her in RF after a certain point with my belly).</p> <p>Like PP, at 38 weeks or so I intentionally cut down the lifting further since I knew I wouldn't be allowed to do it postpartum. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296769 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 07:16:00 +0000 lamariniere 2296769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was about 35lbs during my last trimester with LO2. I had BH contractions when I would carry him more than a few feet, so I stopped and saved lifting and carrying for when it was necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296731 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 04:22:03 +0000 Cherrybee 2296731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm having a similar dilemma. I had some bleeding at 7 weeks (I'm 9 weeks now) and the midwife I saw told me not to pick up my toddler at all. When I said that I didn't think that would be realistic, she replied "Is this baby precious? Then why would you risk miscarriage?". </p> <p>But it's really not realistic. My husband has to be in work by 7.30am, a half hour drive away, so drop-offs fall to me. I HAVE to lift E into her car seat. And when she's flinging herself about on the floor, refusing to leave the house, I HAVE to pick her up, otherwise I will be late for work. </p> <p>I've been trying to minimize it as much as possible. Like, I won't carry her any distance and I have to help her get up and down the stairs herself rather than carrying her (which takes ten times as long!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296730 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 04:05:24 +0000 abmamma 2296730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I carried my 30+ lb 3 year old throughout my pregnancy for short periods of time. My OB said since it was something my body was used to doing ( as opposed to moving furniture or carrying heavy boxes), it was fine. But like others said, I also went with how I felt and tried to limit it as much as possible/let DH do it when necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296709 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 23:36:52 +0000 AggieDaze 2296709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 31 weeks with LO2 and my OB said to try to limit lifting of over 20-25 lbs, but she also recognized that it is going to be more difficult this pregnancy than last time as I have DS who is 2 years, 4 months. Some of what I've read has alluded to the limitation being more due to the comfort and safety of the mother vs. the potential for miscarriage, but I'm not a doctor. </p> <p>I just try to limit picking up as much as possible, and also try to change how I'm picking him up. IE. If my son will climb up on some steps or even the couch, it's easier for me to grab him then it is if I'm lifting him up from the floor. I've also learned to use my arms more vs. using my back, and also ensuring to bend my legs. All of these things make it more comfortable for me, and therefore I'd assume safer... Of course, we've also been working with him on being more independent - he now climbs into the stroller, will sometimes climb into his car seat, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296697 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 23:05:46 +0000 lovehoneybee 2296697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I carried my 3 year old until about 20wks. I'm 26.5wks now and will pick him up if I have to, but it's physically hard for me. He's almost 42lbs and 42" tall, so he's a *big* kid, and I'm having sciatic nerve pains this pregnancy. It made me sad to stop...he didn't understand at first, but I tell him he needs to walk like a big boy, or his dad can carry him. I pick him up to get him in and out of the shopping cart, or if he's hurt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296695 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 23:03:26 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2296695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to stop completely at 5 weeks (not even allowed to put her in her crib or take her out, which is no longer an issue but back then it was) because I had issues with the pregnancy. But by mid way I was allowed to hold dd again, and lately she's been clingy so I've been holding her more than usual, but when I feel tired I put her down. It's worked out so far, but my OB was nowhere near as strict as yours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296693 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 22:57:33 +0000 FannyMae 2296693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped as soon as I found out I was pregnant (pretty much) as DD is 3 is heavy! I've only picked her up in random situations like crying at 3 am, or needing to get into the car quickly. Otherwise, she knows I can't pick her up because I have a baby in my tummy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296687 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 22:47:21 +0000 travelgirl1 2296687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't given any advice on this, so I just went with how I felt. Although lots of other mum friends were horrified that I would will lift/carry her. A is light anyway, so it wasn't hard to lift her, but I never felt well enough to carry her for any distance so made sure she was in the stroller if DH wasn't with us. I carried her for short periods if we were out and about at a museum, but not on the street. I think if you are used to carrying him and you feel well enough to, you are probably fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296681 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 22:23:09 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2296681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My ob said carrying under 50lb is ok for the first 20 weeks and under 25lb for the last 20 weeks..</p> <p>I take that with a grain of salt obviously.. I've seen many preggo mamas hold their kids all throughout pregnancy.</p> <p>I'm 18 weeks and today at church held my 27 lb 1.5 yr old for like.. 10 min. That's probably max I've ever done whole pregnancy but he was getting restless and wild so I held him long.</p> <p>I do have history of miscarriage (early though) and am petite so I really tried limiting during first trimester. I would just do in crib out crib in high chair out high chair and if my hubs was around he'd do it all.</p> <p>Now at second trimester I am more liberal but definitely don't like holding him long bc he is a lil fatty and my back hurts 😃. I make him walk everywhere and thankfully he doesn't complain (yet).</p> <p>@hellobeeboston: oh my that's what I dread! Being huge and having to lift him in and out of his crib.. Who knows how heavy he'll be in a few months... Maybe I should feed him less.. Just kidding... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296675 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 22:05:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2296675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 27 weeks and carry my 27 lb 2 year old. Like everyone else, it's not for long periods of time but sometimes you have to. We have been working on having her walk or do things by herself more- like we are on the second floor of a condo and have two flights of stairs. It takes fooorrrreevvveerr to get up the stairs with her walking but I figure she has to learn so better now than when I'm carrying a newborn. I'm more worried about my already sore back than anything else. I don't have any extra risk factors so haven't taken any precautions besides only doing what feels comfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296674 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:56:27 +0000 dolphin 2296674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I asked my OB and she said carrying your toddler throughout the pregnancy is fine. DD1 was 2.5 and weighed 27lbs when DD2 was born. My OB just said I can't carry her for two weeks AFTER labor, so she advised me to carry her less when it gets closer to my due date just so she'll get use to it and it's less of a shock. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296664 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:31:36 +0000 hellobeeboston 2296664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Woah. That comment is a bit extreme, but I think they have to watch their backs. </p> <p>I am 39 weeks pregnant and have been carrying my 30-lb toddler daily. I can't carry him for long, 1but I lift him at least 3-5x a day, no issues or worries. The worst was putting him in his crib (before he transitioned to a big bed) and leaning over with my belly and holding him was really hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296660 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:23:41 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2296660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: yes. This is what we did. Either dad carried or she could choose another choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296659 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:23:03 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2296659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have any other risk factors for miscarriage? I had a SCH so I was told not to lift and stay on pelvic rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296657 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:22:44 +0000 hilsy85 2296657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am 36 weeks pregnant and still carry my 30lb 3 year old sometimes. I just try not to do it for long periods, and if it is painful I put him down. We heav discussed with him that I am already. Carrying his baby sister in my belly and he can either walk or sit in the stroller or have daddy carry him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296655 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:20:58 +0000 MamaBehr 2296655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 21 month old is carried or worn all the time. He's probably around 25 lbs, and I haven't stopped wearing him yet. I'm 25 weeks and a bit. </p> <p>I've never stopped carrying my youngest while I've been pregnant (this is my fourth baby) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carryinglifting-toddler-while-pregnant#post-2296654 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:17:43 +0000 californiadreams 2296654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are the limits or rules you follow with not lifting anything heavy while pregnant? it wasn't really an issue in my first pregnancy, but now my almost 3 year old wants to be carried ALL the time, including things like up and down the stairs in our house. And when we are out with the stroller. I mean he uses the stroller and walks on his own too, but he does ask to be carried a lot! And typically he will insist it is me over someone else (for example, my mom was visiting the past 2 weeks). He weighs 27 pounds which is pretty light for his age, but i still find it difficult to carry him for long periods (and those periods are getting shorter). I am also a bit worried that i *shouldn't* be carrying him so much.</p> <p>I asked my OB and she was not helpful - she said carrying heavy weight like that can lead to miscarriage and that my son should be independent and walk on his own since he will have to when baby is here. Basically i found her a little extreme because i can't just go from carrying him all the time to not at all. And I didn't appreciate her comment on what his level of independence should be as that's not what i was asking about. </p> <p>I was hoping for more guidelines on limits and boundaries that I should try to follow. I plan to ask my midwives too, but my next appt is not for a few weeks and i am currently almost 20 weeks pregnant. </p>