How to Hold a Child When Pregnant

During pregnancy your body is more vulnerable to injury, so take extra care when picking up children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby Slings
• Infant Carriers
• Gliders

1. Decide whether the child is just too heavy for you to lift without straining; if so, go for a hug instead of a carry.
2. Encourage bigger children to climb up on a stool or chair, so you don't have to bend down so much.
3. Concentrate on keeping your balance. As your belly grows and your center of gravity shifts, you're more prone to falling. And, as your body gets more flexible in preparation for delivery, you're more likely to strain a muscle.
4. Plant yourself firmly with your feet shoulder-width apart to make a stable base.
5. Bend at the knees, not the waist. Tuck in your tummy (admittedly a challenge in late pregnancy) and keep your back as straight as possible.
6. Hold the child close to your body, and lift as one unit using the strength of your legs.
7. Move slowly and smoothly to avoid jarring or jerking.
8. Put the child down when you start to get tired; pregnancy is not a time for overexertion.

Tips & Warnings

• Holding a child on one hip causes an uneven strain on your spine, so if you must carry a child this way switch sides often.
• Take advantage of infant carriers that free your hands and put the child's weight on your back.
• Some medical conditions, including cervical incompetence and a high risk of preterm labor, require that women avoid lifting anything heavy after the first trimester. Follow your doctor's advice.