Subject: Re: Parenting and arthritic
Hi Carrie Congratulations!!! I have Psoriatic Arthritis (since I was nine and have had both my hips replaced). I had a little boy, Oscar, 9 weeks ago. I am having good days and bad days at the mo but am lucky as my other half does the night feeds and lots of other stuff so I can rest (I'm having chemo for breast cancer too so am usually pretty wiped out). Ways that I have found to do things... I have a bean filled cushion to mold under my arm when holding baby to feed etc which helps support the arm so that there's not too much pressure on the shoulder. I always sit with him on the sofa so that I can put him down beside me so that I can stand up without having to hold him at the same time. I have the changing mat on the dining table so that I can sit down to change him. We have a baby bath but Phil (my other half) has to hold him as I find it too awkward. The bath was a gift so I feel obliged to use it but if I had my way I would use a small washing up bowl on the dining table, that way, his feet would rest on the sides so you don't need to worry about him slipping. Also, because yuo keep the water shallow, it's not too heavy to carry - the baby bath ways a ton. I can recommend the pram we got - it is an uppa baby vista and we got it from pramworld.com (tried it out at kiddicare before shopping around for the cheapest deal - it was quite dear). As for carrying him around the house, I've not found that a problem - he was premature and only weighed 5lb 7oz so by the time he put on a bit of weight he was sturdy enough to hold his head up. I tend to cradle him in my arm while holding his outer leg and don't find it too difficult - I just take it steady going down the stairs. You do find easy ways to adapt - best of luck Lou x
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