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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How can I carry my toddler now I'm pregnant?

57 replies

morningpaper · 09/05/2005 21:02

My daughter is 2 but she is the size of a small beetle and often needs to be carried. I used to use a hippychick hip seat but now I'm a bit ROUND with pregnancy I'm a bit confused about the best way to carry her, especially as my back is getting dodgier. Any suggestions?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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eidsvold · 10/05/2005 11:09

well dd1 was only just standing by the time dd2 was born - I must admit when dh was home he did a lot of the lifting - but as you imagine - I spent the most time with dd1 so I had to do the lifting. Found it highly amusing at an antenatal class when the physio went on about not lifting anything heavy at all throughout and after the pregnancy - yeh in my real ife - not an option. She really did not have any solutions for me when I shared my dilemma.

If it is any consolation tc - dd1 showed absolutely no inclination to walk, stand cruise etc until after dd2 was born - the walking especially - even just for her few steps is really only a recent phenomenen. Sorry I can't come up with any solutions - just let you know I can truly appreciate where you are coming from. Not sure about your bump but dd2 was a huge bump - very early on and she just seemed to keep growing.

For the last few months - BEfore dd1 dh and I had a long weekend away - and we decided to spend time together - eating out, talking together without interruption, can't think what else - was a little while ago - dd1 is three in August. No point on banking sleep as you say - just remember when babe is here to snatch sleep where and when you can. Before dd2 we started a habit of breakfast out on a Saturday morning at the beach and then a walk along the beach. Lots of time spent with dd1 - especially by me - although she has taken to dd2 really well.

Original poster

morningpaper · 10/05/2005 13:01

"Last few months" - the only thing I wish I'd done more of is LISTEN TO MUSIC - you can't understand how impossible this is with a baby. I've not listened to anything apart from 'Hop Skip and Jump' for over two years.

Anyway, it's not really the last few months - you'll have loads of time once the children have left home...

Thanks for all the thoughts and advice re. lifting. My main problem is stairs - she CAN do them but it is PAINFULLY SLOW and she can't do the DOWNSTAIRS bit at all. We also have the can't-park-near-the-house problem. I will have to see how things progress.

OP posts:

Thomcat · 10/05/2005 13:05

Will check out the E3, whatever that is, I'll endeavour to find out, thank you.

Listen at the end of the day, it'll all just work out and you have to crack on the best you can aye.
I won't be afraid to ask for help when it's feasible and when it's not I'll happily just get on with it. It's not forever, just a year or so, oh God, why did I say that!!!!

misdee · 10/05/2005 13:10

how big is Lottie? my dd2 is huge at 2.5yrs old (weighs 40lb?+ and stands at around 100cm tall). she fit in the phil and teds e3 explorer fine. i think they estimate you can use it till child is 5yrs old. plus you can use it as a single afterwards.

misdee · 10/05/2005 13:12

phil and teds

darlingbud · 10/05/2005 13:23

I don't really think there is a safe option but NOT to carry her. Not worth the risk of putting your back out or other accidents.
I would ask dd to walk and like has already been said if she walked too much then I would put her in the buggy.

elliott · 10/05/2005 14:11

I can't believe you're asking what an E3 is....I only knew about it because of MN and for a while there were loads of threads about it - it generated quite a little fan club! But I guess its not the kind of thing you'd look at unless you were at that stage in life....
Anyway if you do a search in archived threads there will be lots of info. hth

Original poster

morningpaper · 10/05/2005 14:12

I'm sure that carrying toddlers while pg is not the end of the world - I'm sure that women in the third world manage without prams.

I really have to carry dd down stairs, otherwise I will have to leave her in her bedroom all day and she'll never be able to use the bathroom...

OP posts:

Thomcat · 10/05/2005 15:57

LOL elliot, looks like I missed something big! I'm reading to get on the E3 bandwagon now!

Darlingbub - that's that then, I'll just make my no ewalking, non standing dd walk as the only sage option is NOT to carry her - LOL!

Morningpaper, oh I so know where you are coming from. AHave you tried the piggyback idea or are you not up for that. I sit on the 2nd step down and Lottie bum shuffles up behind me and puts her arms round me and then I carefully stand up holding her hands and supporting her bum and walk down stairs. Also I taught her to come down bu going down on my bum and saying 'ahhhh, bume' every time I went down 1 stair on my bum. She thought it was great and we did one each all the way down. Takes ages but it works. She's really careful and I never leve her alone and she holds the banister in 1 hand and uses the other to help lever her down onto the next step. Might be worth a try??????

Thomcat · 10/05/2005 15:57

oh sorry, meant to say thanks misdee, TC xxxx

hub2dee · 10/05/2005 17:43

The full product name is Phil and Ted's E3 explorer (Version 2 I think if you're being pernickety). There are loads of threads which mention it in the archives. It would be great if it's suitable for you, Thomcat / morningpaper.

The manufacturer's home page is here .

Thomcat · 10/05/2005 21:25

thanks for that link hub2dee. Can't believe what a totally mad buggy. I don't like it at all! Sorry! I'm sure it's great for some people and all that but not for me. Child number two is 2 inches from the floor and looking at the backside of no 1, no laugh. No, no, not for me at all. I've spotted a side by side 3 wheeler that I'll keep in the back pocket for now. Thanks for the nod on he E3's though.

hub2dee · 10/05/2005 21:30

Yep, lots of people worry about dragging the new baby across the pavement, through the dog mess and puddles...

I think in RL it works though. CAT misdee if you have Qs as she's had loads of experience, obviously, with hers.

misdee · 10/05/2005 21:34

the hammock section is quite low down, with the toddler seat on i was worried that dd3 wouldnt see anything. but she peers upwards at me pulling faces. havent tried it in the 2 toddler psoition yet. am hoping that by the end of the summer dd2 will be walking more and wont be running off as much.

hub2dee · 10/05/2005 21:38

misdee, if you attach a brush to the bottom, you could clean your local pavements whilst you walk to the shops !

misdee · 10/05/2005 21:40

walk to shops?! sweetheart i dont do that, i only walk to dd1 school and back, then get a lift the harefield. heh.

Thomcat · 10/05/2005 21:45

It's a fab idea, very clever and D thinks it's great but I'm just not feeling it. I'd smack his or her backside off kerbs and drag rubbish and stuff along with us. Lottie may well need buggy till she's 6 or 7 as she'll only have started walking at 5 and no 2 will be in buggy until he or she is .... oh I don't know when do NT kids stop needing buggys? Anyway you get my drift, I'm going to have a toddler and a 5-7 year old to push round and not sure the E3 would work for me???

misdee · 10/05/2005 21:49

i didnt want another huge tamdem, so e3 was for me the best thing to waste my money on lol. it has a good 2nd hand value as well.

if you will be taking themn both out with D, then just get a major and keep a single small stroller for bump. or the sling option. i have just purchased a moby wrap which is lovely and comfortable, but dont know how it'll be when dd3 gets bigger. apparently some carry their babies till they are around the 35lb mark.

hub2dee · 10/05/2005 21:51

TC - would a post in SN maybe yield some more, sensible ideas ? (Even some more sensible ideas).

misdee

(at same time)...

Pete back with you ? I haven't spotted an update but maybe I'm being dim.

hub2dee · 10/05/2005 21:52

Hye, what's the Moby like ? Have you tried loads of other slings, misdee ? Is it your current numero uno ?

misdee · 10/05/2005 21:55

i've only had it a few days, but do love it already. its very handy, lovely and soft and doesnt make my back or shoulders ache. its a wrap sling. was tempted by the ring slings but as i have a back neck after car crash decided they would pull too much and cuase me pain. i did have a kipling baby carrier with dd2 and used it till she was 20lb in weight, but it doesnt fit round me anymore and tbh it pulled my shoulders a bit.

misdee · 10/05/2005 21:57

moby is at the bottom i saw people using similar ones at NCT sale last month and thought they were lovely. so decided to hunt one out.

hub2dee · 10/05/2005 22:07

Looks like it spreads the loads nicely...

I delve into the topic of slings every few weeks... it's almost as bad as nappies...

I think the Moby's wraparound structure and 'baby cocoon' look promising...

Thomcat · 10/05/2005 22:42

Hub2dee, had an email back from Nige' the buggy man, he said:

Thanks for your enquiry.

We sell the Mountain Buggy Terrain XL which is suitable for children up to a slim 10 year old but there isn't a Double version.

The only doubles we supply are limited to a 4 year old and most doiubles have seats slightly narrower than on a single pushchair so even less suitable for an older child.

Baby Jogger make a double for older children (which we don't sell) but it would not be suitable for your new baby.

Sorry to say that this is a situation for which there are no products specifically designed for.

Some parents use a specialist single pushchair for the older child and a professional quality child backpack carrier for the baby/younger child.

If you do find and ideal solution I would be very grateful if you would let me know so that we can advise other enquirers.

hub2dee · 10/05/2005 22:49

Ta, TC... good to know there's nothing 'obvious' out there.

Are you bringing veggie lamb cutlets then or veggie sausages ?

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