Do any of you carry your older child quite a bit?

[majazama]

Because ... I just can't do it. My "baby" is 16 months old, and I will avoid picking her up at all costs. I get other people to hold her, or get her to come to me while I'm sitting. I can't use any of my carriers because they cut into my belly. *sigh*

I get back pain that is directly related to how much I hold her. It's kind of sad I wish I could hold her all the time like I used to. She weighs 27 lbs... and that's like a sack and a half of potatoes. :LOL

Anyways, how do you manage with a older sibling?

[kris1225]

I do it all the time! I have the luxury of having pouches in any size and I sewed an ABC that works great - she just rides up high on my tummy. Do you have a ring sling? It seems like a ring sling with the toddler in the hip carry would be the easiest on a preggo body.

[majazama]

I do have a ring sling, but slings do not work for me. My body is so flexible when I'm not pregnant, my muscles get all out of place. KWIM? I'm "double-jointed". If I was built very sturdily, I think a sling would be great, and I do wish I could use one.

Maybe I'm the only one that has problems with holding a toddler? I do have a baby trekker and a wrap sling, but they cut into my belly, which I can't stand. I always feel like the baby's circulation is being cut off or something.

[ChildoftheMoon]

I carry my 30+ pund 2.5 year old all the time, and lift my 40 pound 4.5 year old too. I may do more than I should, but I am very careful. I actually got reprimanded in public by a stranger for lifting my youngest.

Anyway, I use my maya wrap in a high up hip hold and that works. I also just tried a baby bundler for a back cary and dd felt weightless! Maybe you could try one of those. It is just a super long piece of stretchy material. I just tied it under my belly. I could carry her for a long time like that. Fortunately she likes to "do it on her own" so I have a break from lots of long term carrying. She just like to be lifted a lot at home. So when I am tired I just ask her to go to the couch so I can pick her up while sitting.
back carry scroll down and you can see what a back carry with the bundler looks like.

Brandi

[ChildoftheMoon]

here is another back carry pic (just in case you are interested)
back

actually this page may give you some ideas for carrying that may be more comfortable baby carry

Brandi

[Foobar]

I will carry Goo sometimes, but not too much. The biggest problem is picking her up, so I am having her stand at the top of the stairs and I go down a few to pick her up.

She's about 25 lbs and I am due early July

[luvinmama]

I had to stop carrying ds - 2yrs for about 3 months, but I'm doing it a lot more now. I would get a burning pain on the underside of my belly. Since I've had times where I just HAVE to pick him up (parking lots, etc.) I would just hurry to the point where I could put him down. The pains have gone away for the most part, so I just play it by ear now. I say if it hurts, don't do it unless there's a dangerous situation. Though I know it can be frustrating, ds hated when I sat to hold him, but he's more used to it now. Good luck.

[sweet tea]

I don't carry Chloe as much as I want to....she's SOOO big now, it seems...
I think the hardest times are when we dance or rock together in the kitchen....if I hold her, I can't dance very long...and if I dance long...she has to stand~but at least she gets to spin and dip

even snuggling up in the rocking chair is becoming a challange...
what..? 14 weeks to go....and 20 more pounds, I'm sure..LOL

[my2girlz]

I still pick up my 26lb 2 year old and very occasionally my 40lb 4.5 year old. I only pick up my oldest to lift her on something and my youngest doesn't necessarily won't to be carried, just held for a few minutes. I'm not struggling to do it.

[MamiBeth]

I don't use my carrier, (my dh does that). It's too uncomfortable. But I do carry her on my hip.

[luvinmama]

I'm so excited!!! I just bought a sling this weekend!
I've wanted one for so long, and maybe it will help out as ds #1 and I both get heavier....if I can get my belly and him in it. Should I still give this a try while pregnant, or have you all given up on slings until the bellies go away? I was thinking the sling might work with him on my hip, since I have no hips to rest him on anymore.

[ebethmom]

My ds is 2.75 years, and weighs 38 pounds. I've been trying not to carry him, since it has become very difficult. Sometimes I have to, but not all that often.

Luckily, he is in a "I do it MYSELF" stage. So he climbs in his carseat by himself, and gets out of the van on his own.

I'd say I only pick him up once or twice a day, and I don't carry him far when I do.

[luvinmama]

I have to admit, I've been picking up ds a lot over the past few weeks. It doesn't cause any pain anymore except when my sciatica is really bad. I can't carry him down the stairs of our apt. since I fell with him one morning (don't worry, no injuries except some scrapes on me ). Other than that I pick him up and carry him quite a bit. He loves to sit on my belly in the pool too. It's so cute, baby bear kicks ds #1 when he's on my lap or we're in the pool. I guess just go with how you feel at the time. If you can, do and if you can't, don't.