When did you lift toddlers after c-section?

[Lovethesea]

I've an option to have my mum stay on to help more with DD (nearly 20 months) this week. I'm post elcs by 3 weeks and feeling well. I'm torn between the help (they've been up for 2 weeks) and between getting back to 'normal' as it's a small 2 bed house so we are all on top of each other a bit.

Don't want to wreck a great recovery, so when did you start to lift toddlers/hoovers/car seats/prams etc? Is 3 weeks too soon or does it vary? How can I tell!?

You can tell if its too soon if it really hurts when you are lifting stuff. Watch your posture, bend with your Knees, and go slowly and if it hurts beyond a stretch stop. Don't rush to do anything

I'm also 3 weeks post c section and desperate to start getting back to normal! I have a 3 yr old and have been advised to wait 4 weeks to lift her. My OB also said no driving till 1 month but I never asked about housework. To be honest I have been way too active after this c section and think I did too much too soon and have felt exhausted and weak as a result. I find it very hard to stop doing things and with a child in school needed to get on with school runs etc by 2nd week. I live abroad and dont have any family here and as my DH works full time is up to me to do all the cooking and shopping etc.. I have had help with the baby but not with my DD. I would just see how you feel. If you dont have any pain then I would say you can start to do more strenuous things. Take it easy though!

I was lifting DS (15 months) 8 days after CS but only when I couldn't avoid it - I had no help at home so couldn't avoid really. Would keep body straight and bend at the knees though.
Also driving after 8 days with GPs OK.

i was helping DS1 (who was 2) into his car seat etc on day 2, and lifting him on day 7. I carried DS2 in his car seat from the hospital down the road to our car on day 3.

Think it varies from person to person. Depends how your scar looks and how fit you were before the baby was born.

I lifted DS briefly 2 weeks after the op (XP had stormed off in a strop and left me on my own).

But after that I only lifted him out of his cot in the morning as someone would always come round and help with bedtime until I was 5/6 weeks post op. Recovery was fine, no problems and at the gym by 12 weeks.

Just do as little as you can get away with IME.

I got home from hospital, 2 days post CS and picked up DD (20 months at the time) for a cuddle as I was so pleased to see her.....didn't even think about it

I was very careful obviously for a couple of weeks and didn't pick her up from a standing position or anything, but I got pretty much back to normal within a couple of weeks - didn't have any choice. Had a new baby and a 20 month old and no help once DH went back to work.

Good to know people have managed once they have to - I've asked my mum to stay on a week just to give me more breathing space to heal. Rather not risk it if possible given how well the recovery is going - and DD is loving the extra attention she's getting. Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice.

How have your toddlers dealt with this? Mine is very cuddly and a bit worried about not picking her up; will be bad enough forher with the shock of another child! She'll be 2.8 ish.

Hey I am in same boat - having a cs tomorrow as baby 14 days overdue and had previous emcs so can't induce me. Gutted as wanted VBAC and keep crying about not being able to lift/cuddle DS1 who is 26 months

Any advice?