Question:
Advice for stay at home mom about to have surgery?

I am a stay at home mom of a 16 month boy old and a 3 year old girl. My kids are very active and clingy. My daughter already understands that I cannot lift/carry her, but I can't explain that to the baby. How long will it be until I'll be able to be alone with them for the days? I'm having an OPEN RNY soon and have some help, but not a lot. Any specific advice on lifting, in and out of crib, high chair, car seat, and stamina? I don't want to hurt myself but I cannot afford day care or babysitters, etc.    — cjabates (posted on May 10, 2002)

May 10, 2002
I had open VBG last month. I'm also a mostly stay at home mom (I work two nights a week) and here's what I did. My now 15 month-old was very good at climbing stairs so to put her in the crib I put the side rail down and moved a step stool over to it and helped her climb up and down. I changed her on the couch (she could climb up to that too), and getting her into the car seat was just a matter of helping her climb too (then just re-arranging her in her car seat). The high chair was the worst, and to be honest I fed her on the couch, I was more comfortable sitting there anyway! I wasn't allowed to lift more then 10 pounds the first 6 weeks, let's be honest, as a stay at home mom, that is next to impossible. Talk to your doctor, but I was lifting her again (for simple things like the high chair) at 2 weeks. The longer you can have help - the better! Good luck!
   — Shannon P.

May 11, 2002
Thank you Shannon! Does anyone else have any suggestions?? I am really worried about this.
   — cjabates

May 11, 2002
Hi there..congrats on your upcoming surgery. I am also a stay-at-home Mom, and had open RNY on Feb. 11 2002. I have a boy that will be 2 in June and also an 11 year old boy. I stayed home alone with my little guy 5 days after I got home from the hospital. I was very nervous about how I would handle it, but he is a bit of a climber so that was good for me. I agree about the step-stool in front of the crib thing....I kind of 'rolled' my son over the crib rail. As for changing, he climbed up on the couch-sometimes luring him up there would not work so I would carefully get on the floor and do it there. And if he wouldn't have been able to climb in and out of his high chair I would have fed him on the couch too (which is where he ends up eating a lot of the time anyway). I made sure that I had all the supplies I needed in the living room so I wouldn't have to traipse back and forth a lot. I wish I had some better advice for you...it will get easier every day that you are home. I wish you the best!
   — Jennifer G.

May 14, 2002
Hello Amanda, I too am a stay at home Mom having surgery soon. My son is 16 months old and will be 17 months at the time of the surgery. One idea about the high chair thing...I was at Toy's R Us and noticed a sale on plastic toddler sized picnic tables. It was very easy to set up, strong, (he loves to climb on top of it..Yikes) and he loves having snacks at his own PLACE that he climbs into himself. With a bathroom towel covering it, it could also be a handy place for changing diapers if you sit on a near by chair. I paid $25, for the picnic table, but have seen them also at garage sales for much less. Love the ideas about the assistance of stepping up into the crib etc!! Good luck to you!!
   — Deb K.

May 14, 2002
Deb, THAT IS A GREAT IDEA!!! I already have a little table like that, I just hadn't thought of it! Thank you all for answering. Wish me luck!
   — cjabates

March 24, 2006
Hi I am also a stay at home mom of a 19 month old and 33 month old and am at the beginning of my journey. As for your highchair dilemma I use one of those booster chairs that is strapped to a adult chair and also has a seatbelt and tray for younger kids but it is low enough for the kids to climb in themselves and all I do is lock them in and attach the tray. They sell them at wal-mart for around 15 dollars. Good luck and thanks for the great question I was wondering about the crib, Glad to have such a great web-site with so much helpful advice.
   — needtobehealthy