When could you pick up toddler after C-section?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

Not sure what the best forum to post this on so sorry if it’s the wrong one.

If you had a C-section and already had a toddler or preschooler how long was it before you felt comfortable picking them up again. I’m trying to teach my almost 3 year old a bit more independence while I’m pregnant with her sibling (and before I get too big) but it’s a bit tricky as she has a gross motor delay and still needs help with a lot of things. She is tall but about average weight for her age.

I know the official advice is to wait at least 6 weeks to pick up anything heavier than your baby and I tried to stick with this with my first after reading horror stories about scars reopening. I know it will be harder this time.

I picked up my 2.5 year old after about 5 weeks but didn't feel comfortable before then. I was fortunate that my husband had extra time off to extend his paternity leave but if I'd been on my own with them both I might have struggled to wait so long.

I did sit down and have him climb onto my knee for a cuddle after a few days so it wasn't like I wasn't holding him at all.

Exactly the same as PP - probably about 5/6 weeks to properly pick her up (she was 3.5). But lots of gently sitting on/ next to me before that.