coping with young children and pregnancy?

[Plunkett]

Hello
Just wondering if anyone else is struggling with young children and pregnancy and hoping for any tips.
My DS is 5 and big for his age. Only child so used to lots of attention, hugs etc. We told him early on as he can be quite boisterous, normal 5 yr old boy. Although he's not being rough on purpose he does forget and will run and jump on me, sit/lay on me when waking up in the morning/at bedtime and wants to be picked up when hurt/tired for a hug. It's breaking my heart to keep telling him no and to be careful he's still young enough to need those things but he's not a toddler (he weighs over 3 stone). Equally though i'm worried about this baby being hurt (i'm 11 weeks), this evening going to bed DS lent back on the stairs and I had to support him and felt my belly strain.
Just wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation.

I'm also 11wks and have a 14mo DD, who loves climbing on me!
It is worrying but I try to remind myself that there are thousands of women out there in this situation and they manage.
Maybe just try to keep explaining that there is a baby in your tummy and he needs to be gentle with mummy, say it enough times and eventually it'll sink in. Also remember the baby is surrounded by lots of squishy protection and will be fine.
Once your DS can actually see that there is a baby when you get bigger it will probably be easier for him to understand :)
I'm teaching DD to stroke my tummy and be nice to it :o

Much respect to mums taking care of older children whilst pregnant. I'm on my first and have been knocked sideways by tiredness and sickness, no idea how you all manage it.

It's probably a good idea to make sure that he knows that whilst he has to be gentle around mum's tummy at the moment because of baby, that you still love him loads and want to do things with him. Find positions that you are comfy in to show affection i.e. instead of telling him no to cuddles, just gently but firmly remind him that he needs to cuddle you from the side, not from on top of you. That instead of asking to be lifted up from the floor that he can stand on the sofa and cuddle you that way if you are standing/or sit on the sofa and call you over for a cuddle.

Basically, making sure that although he's careful with you, that he's still getting plenty of gentle affection when he needs it so that he doesn't associate the baby with mum becoming boring/distant. Find ways of meeting his needs for closeness that you and your growing bump are comfortable with.

My DD is just 2yo & I bought her a great book for Christmas, as a general idea rather than preparing for pregnancy; it's called 'Be Gentle' and is about Bartholemew bear getting a kitten & learning to treat it nicely. Now clearly this is a bit childish for a 5yo but perhaps the repetitive idea from the book & the other posters will get through slowly but surely?

I'm 11wks pg too & think you've probably got to be more worried about yourself than baby! Baby is well cushioned, but remember the hormones are already working to soften your ligaments & you can easily strain something. Just be careful to lift properly etc.

On a really cute note, my DD knows I've been sick so often runs off shouting 'bucket' & gets me one when I'm heaving, & we've explained about the baby in mummy's tummy. Today she kept pointing to her tummy & saying 'baby' & then tonight, wanted to cuddle baby, so hugged my tummy. Bless!!!

I am 18 weeks with DC3 and have a 4 and 2yr old. When I was pregnant with my 2yr old I was really concious of my daughter jumping on me but I'm much more relaxed this time. Especially in the 1st trimester they are so cushioned there really isn't much that a toddler could do. When I had my nuchal DH couldn't believe how hard the sonogrpaher was pressing, she literally dug it into my stomach.

Now we have told them I just tell them not to jump on me although the odd jump I think would be fine.

oh no, i think i've given the wrong impression of my DS bless him. He is very caring and super excited about the baby. He spends ages talking/stroking/cuddling my bump and we're still finding lots of time for cuddles (me bending down, or sitting next to each other)etc. It's more the involentary things a 5 yr old does, like when hes hurt and just wants to be carried, or forgetting himself and running at you to get a cuddle. 5 is still so young and he still needs that - but it seems so much harder on me now (feel like i've aged 20yrs in the space of 6 weeks).

Friend have been through it with toddler siblings but he's obviously a lot bigger/heavier than they were.