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Can you get a mothers helper at all for a few weeks? And maybe have DH get the toddler up in the morning? You really don't want to be lifting a 30 pound toddler after major abdominal surgery. If your crib converts I'd also do that now and get him used to it.

I did zero lifting for about two weeks (for reference, I had a repeat c, needed a blood transfusion, and had a 27 month). My husband stayed home for three weeks. B was in daycare, so we taught him to climb into the car by himself. For cribs, I had him climb onto a chair and then sit on the edge of the crib, and then helped support him as he slid down. After about two weeks I just started lifting him in and out. I wasn't picking him up to carry him around or anything, I stopped carrying him down the stairs, but the crib and occasionally the car seat was ok. I think if your mom is staying for two weeks, as long as you have a pretty standard recovery, you should be ok.

I tried to avoid lifting my 3.5 yo as much as possible for the first two weeks. Towards the end of that I had to take her to school, which meant lifting her up in the car (SUV), but it was doable.

The hardest movement for me was BY FAR trying to sit up from laying down. The lifting didn't bother me so much.

@Mrs. Champagne: There is no way you should be lifting a 2 year old out of a crib after a c section. My children are 3 1/2 years apart so I was able to not lift her for a few months after my RCS. I recovered quicker the 2nd time because I slept 1/2 sitting up on the couch (luckily ours recline) and didn't pick up the baby in the infant bucket.

Can he climb out and you be his spotter?

I just had a c section with my third and my middle child is 30 pounds. I would say I felt well enough to pick him up for very short periods between week 2 and 3. During week 3 I was able to comfortably hold him for longer periods. They told me in the hospital if I had to pick him up not to bend over at my waist to pick him up and I should bend at the knees to pick him up if that makes sense. I had a very easy recovery and my husband was home with me for 1.5 weeks and I sent my kids to daycare so that helped. Hopefully you will have an easy recovery too and hopefully the 2 weeks your mom will be there will help.