to all moms with small children

[lohoppie]

I have a 20 month old and I cant tell you how much I miss picking him up...just wondering when you were able to pisk up the kids after surgery. I had minimally invasive surgery on Dec 13th.... my chest feels pretty good but Im still very aware that all is not right in there. I dont want to push it and set myself back. Im worried about putting him in carseat because it is awkward getting him in and out. any input is appreciated. Thank You!

[Creed3]

Hi!
When I had my surgery 3 1/2 years ago I had an almost 4 year old and an 8 month old. It was very difficult for me not being able to pick them up. I know when I was a couple weeks post op I would let my kids sit on my lap if someone put them there. I know that wasn't really the smartest thing to do because they can move around and elbow you in the chest etc....I didn't have any problems like that though. I wasn't able to drive for six weeks after my surgery. I went back to work at 8 weeks post op and there was some lifting involved but I still took it very light and easy. If I remember correctly I waited at least two to three months before I started picking up my kids. Even then I tried not to do it too often. I had quite a bit of help after my surgery so I didn't have to worry about having to pick them up much. Once I stopped feeling that pulling and slight sore sensation I didn't worry about it quite as much. Putting them in car seats wasn't too bad because the older one could get herself in and out on her own. The younger one was almost ten months old before I started putting her in the carseat myself. When I did I had to be very careful. She was pretty light too.
It is very hard not to pick the little ones up but you really need to be careful right now. Oh, my surgery was a full sternum opening.
I hope this helps you some.

Take Care!
Gail

p.s.
If you try to hold you little one on your lap use a pillow to cover your chest area. I did that in case they would elbow me. I also did that when I was in the car with the seatbelt. It really helped alot.

[KristiinSD]

with the over 5 lbs. limit. How big is your baby? I don't think I would lift anything over 15 lbs. until 6 weeks. I also had a minimally invasive job done.

At 6 weeks I will lift a laundry basket of dry clothes, but probably not a wet one. I need to change the filter on my pond pump and I just called my ex-husband to lift that...

Kristi
mitral repair 11/30/05

[savysmommy]

Hi,
My daughter was about 18 months when i had surgery. I waited 6 weeks before I officialy picked her up. Getting in and out of the car was hard though for quite a while. The more time that went by the easier it got. I avoided lifting straight up, when I could anyway. I would have get down on her level, and have her climb into my arms, then stand up. This helped avoid the strain on my chest.

Good luck, take it easy. It will get better in time.

Shannon

[lohoppie]

thanks for the response ladies!

[PJmomrunner]

I'm guessing that at 20 months your little guy can probably get into the car seat himself, but whether he WILL get in may be another question. (If he can't actually get himself strapped up, you might consider finding a seat he can operate and use the old one for back up when grandma takes him or he has a playdate or something.)

I would suggest a reward system to motivate him to cooperate if it's a problem. You could keep a small bag of M&Ms or goldfish or Cheerios (whatever he would consider a treat) in your car and once he's strapped up he can have one piece of the treat as well as his "carseat toy" (or book)--something he enjoys but can ONLY have when he's in his carseat. That way, when the treats are gone the toy (or book) alone becomes enough motivation.

What a difficult position for mom and babe...good luck to you both!

[aussigal]

Yeah...this is why I am happy my kids are all big now...

I do get my lil nieces and nephews all wanting UP though...

I have really weak-dodgy arms so It has prepared me for no-lifting restrictions.

I think PJ's idea sounds like your best bet!...and if it means some extra treats for a while well so be it...we all have to make a few changes to get this to work for us.

I sit and let my neices and nephews climb all over me,,,they dont know any difference, I do miss not being able to walk and cuddle my lil baby nephew much though...

,,,I do not have my chest split open yet but will have soon :D ...

these big boys of mine about to study "household cleaning 101" :p .