Lifting A Toddler While Pregnant: Physical Effects and Correct Way

There is nothing more prominent than looking at those big tear filled eyes with arms stretched out. When your first born is upset they naturally turn to mom for comfort. Lifting a toddler while pregnant may be your only option, but is it safe? If you pick up your toddler are you harming your pregnancy in any way? Are there risks?

Lifting A Toddler While Pregnant – Is It Safe?

On average you can expect a toddler to weigh anything from 15 to 38 pounds, with recommendations from NIOSH stating you shouldn’t lift anything greater than 24-31 lbs as you get to 40 weeks. It’s apparent that there can be times in your pregnancy where picking up a toddler when pregnant may not be a great idea.

Pregnancy and A Toddler

Being pregnant with a second or third child can be hard, especially when you have a little one at home who doesn’t really understand. Toddlers are amazing self consumed little humans. They have been the centre of your whole world for the few years they have been alive but when you become pregnant the fear of rejection can set in for mom.

Are they going to feel pushed away? Replaced? Will they love their sibling?

With the popping ‘what if’ questions whizzing around your mind it lends itself to ‘can I lift my toddler while pregnant?’

You want your first baby to still feel all the love and attention yet can holding or carrying them cause harm to you or your unborn baby?

To help uncover the answer to this topic we have researched the current guidelines and recommendations to ensure safety for you, your toddler and your pregnancy.

Can I Lift My Toddler While Pregnant?

The thought of not being able to lift your toddler whilst pregnant can be distressing. You have been their go to person for comfort since they have been born and it can be a confusing time for your toddler when mommy starts saying no to picking them up.

The good news is that providing you aren’t at risk from preterm labor, bleeding or suffering from any other complications lifting your toddler isn’t thought to cause any harm.

Carrying your toddler is nothing new to your daily routine so your muscles are used to this load bearing weight but as your pregnancy progresses lifting can become harder. Factors to take into consideration would be your toddlers weight and the duration you are going to carry them for.

Without discarding your toddler or their feelings there are ways you can lift safely and alternative ways to comfort them without increasing the potential risk to you or your pregnancy.

Physical Effects of Lifting

So you have been here before, you know what pressures your body is facing being pregnant. The loosening of joints and ligaments, your balance is off as your centre of gravity shifts, add in a distressed or tired toddler and you may be thinking the juggling balls of being a mom are close to being dropped.

Fear not super mom! To put it straight, during your first pregnancy you had the time to look after yourself but with a toddler in toe you may push your body further without realizing.

With loosening ligaments lifting heavy items like your toddler can increase the risk of injury or upset your balance further. Needless to say there are times where lifting your first baby may be unavoidable.

Look at the table below content taken from NIOSH.

Weeks of Gestation	Intermittent lifting	Repetitive lifting
20		>51lbs
24		24-51 lbs
30	>51lbs
40	<31lbs	<24lbs

This information sourced from the American Medical Association (AMA) is referring to lifting whilst at work, but with a toddler at home it can almost feel like you have a manual job!

As we can see, the guidelines for intermittent and repetitive lifting differ depending on your gestation. I think it’s safe to say providing you don’t veer away from these weight guidelines and consider the weight of your toddler then lifting them shouldn’t put too much strain on your pregnancy if any at all.

The bottom line is you know how much you can carry so if you think your toddler is on the heavier side this could well determine whether or not you can lift them comfortably, you also need to consider your growing bump may make carrying your child awkward.

How To Lift Your Toddler When Pregnant?

I don’t want to bore you by going into too much detail about lifting techniques but the general rule of thumb whether you are lifting some groceries or your toddler is to do so with your legs.

Lifting by bending at the knees takes the extra pressure off your back and can help reduce the risk of pulling a muscle. Once you have your toddler they can sit on your hip but only for a short duration, it is important not to over do it.

Ensure you feel up to it, lifting a child can be hard work when you have one already growing inside but us moms are haunted by mom guilt meaning we will push and push until our body gives in. Over exerting yourself during pregnancy can lead to spotting or preterm labor so you must be in tune with your body and know when it is important to turn to an alternative instead of lifting your child.

Believe me you are not altering your toddlers outlook, they are not going to be scarred or become an unlovable human just because mommy didn’t pick them up for a short period in their life.

When is Lifting Discouraged?

Lifting heavy objects as we have discovered isn’t a real risk for the majority of pregnancies but some doctors may consider lifting a heavy toddler while pregnant too much weight for mom to bear.

If you are at risk from preterm labor then you may have to consider alternatives ways to comfort or lift your child. The same advice goes for those moms who have suffered blood loss or early contractions in their pregnancy.

Getting Creative

Before you accept your ‘terrible mom award’ for not picking up your toddler let’s look at alternative ways to help support you and your child.

Picking up a toddler when pregnant isn’t always considered safe and for some moms they are forced to say the dreaded ‘no’ or ‘I can’t.’ Toddlers are extremely egocentric. This means that their world revolves around them and what they want so if it’s a cuddle from mom they are looking for then consider doing the following:

Get down to their level for a hug.

Allow them to stand on a chair with your support and cuddle.

Sit down and hold them on your lap or next to you.

Altering the way you comfort your child will help you both. You won’t feel mean for not being physically able to pick them up and they will still get the attention they desire.

When pregnant with my second child my first born still loved to be picked up and carried, slightly older than a toddler at 4 years old she was used to being the centre of my attention. Being pregnant I went through the motions of guilt and terrified of my daughter feeling pushed out but I knew as my body changed and my bump began to protrude that the lifting needed to lessen.

Grocery shopping was the biggest task, getting her in and out of the cart was a challenge in itself but to be fair she met me halfway, as I was a low risk pregnancy I made sure to bend my knees but asking her to jump on ascension made it easier with the initial weight lift. This became a great way for her to feel responsible and I think she felt proud that she was being helpful to me.

Is Lifting a Toddler While Pregnant Safe?

Throughout this article we have highlighted potential risks to lifting a heavy child, even though lifting your toddler while pregnant is considered safe at times there are still potential risks.

Miscarriage

Pregnancy is challenging, it puts strain on you mentally and physically. Adding to the physical strain can cause excess stress which can sometimes lead to miscarriage.

Injury

We have identified that your balance is off during pregnancy. Your blood pressure has also increased meaning there are times when you can feel dizzy and light headed. Lifting your toddler and experiencing these effects can impair your ability to stand and hold them safely, increasing the chance of injury.

The risk of you falling is also increased so to avoid hurting your toddler, yourself or your unborn baby it may be better to err on the side of caution.

Wrapping Up

If you are wondering how safe it is to be lifting a toddler while pregnant, we have the answer.

Providing you feel safe and strong enough to do so, yes. The best way to know for sure you are not putting yourself or anyone at risk is to ask your doctor for their advice.

Lifting your toddler while pregnant doesn’t have to be a burden, there are many alternatives to consider. You just need to pick what works best for you, your unborn baby and toddler.