2 under 2 w/c-section moms (sorry a little long)

For those who had/will have 2 under 2 and who will/had a c-section, how did you care for your older child?

My DC will be 16 months apart. My DD is currently in daycare. The plan was to keep her in daycare through my maternity leave since she loves it there and so it would be easier for me at home, but I'm not sure if that's the best plan.

I currently do drop off and pick up, my DH can't do either. I remember after my last c-section that I wasn't supposed to carry anything heavier than my DD. I don't remember for how long I had that restriction. Do you remember? How do you carry your older child? Will I be able to put her in the car for daycare? Will I be able to walk her down the stairs? I was going to get some help in the day, and my mom can help with pick up, but it still leaves drop offs and early morning picking up out of the crib and stuff. (My mom can take off the entire first week, but I feel like i wasn't supposed to lift anything that heavy for a while?). What did you do? Should I pull her from daycare and get a nanny to help me with both while on leave?? I'm still undecided of what we are even doing after DC # 2 is born, but I signed up for daycare to secure a spot, and I'm also afraid that if I pull DD from daycare i'd lose her spot to return (they have a waiting list), although I'm not sure how much help we can afford on top of daycare on top of me not working!!!! I just don't know what I will and will not need! I remember feeling fine after a few weeks, but I didn't have a toddler and my guess is that she'll weigh around 25 lbs so I don't know if I can carry her anywhere!! Thanks for reading, sorry for the long post, and clearly I have insomnia!!!

Re: 2 under 2 w/c-section moms (sorry a little long)

DS was 18 mos when DS2 was born.

You're not 'supposed' to lift, etc but honestly - it's simply not realistic. You do the best you can. Start teaching your DD to walk the stairs holding your hand, to climb into the car seat with little assistance (maybe even put a small plastic step stool in the car so she can use that to step on).

As long as you don't need to do any of it the first week or so after the section, I think you're fine. As for your mom - is her week off after the baby, or after you come home? If she could make it after you come home - since you're in the hospital for 3-4 days anyway - it would probably be most useful.

Good luck! You'll do fine - you have to

Re: 2 under 2 w/c-section moms (sorry a little long)

mine will be 22 months apart and I agree with pp.. try to get the older one to do more things independently. I can't even carry my ds anymore now so he's been practicing alot. My hardest time I remember after cs was trying to lift the infant carrier into the car to drive somewhere. I'd say try to leave the seat in the car for the first week or two and just carry the baby out if possible. I'm hoping I don't need a cs this time around but if I do this has definately been one of my concerns also.