Struggle carrying grand babies

Oh I know how you feel. I couldn't carry my fretful, four month old granddaughter round the garden yesterday, due to my health issues. My DH had to take over.
It made me quite sad.

I’m a bit puzzled Abitbarmy

My grandson is 5 and very slim, but I wouldn’t dream of carrying him around.
Are the twins disabled in some way? Why would you want to walk around the house and garden carrying either one of them?
Obviously there are odd times when I have to lift my DGS - perhaps onto the edge of a workbench to stick a plaster on his knee, but otherwise I just get down to his level. He knows he’s too old/big to be lifted/carried and that he’s too heavy and that only babies are carried.
As I said - I’m puzzled.

Isn't it the baby brother and sister who need carrying around? The 5 year old will be at school.

Oh - my apologies! I’m not up to speed this morning. Just ignore my post!
I’ve just re-read and it’s a different scenario - I thought you were talking about carrying the 5 year old around, not her younger siblings.
It’s lucky you have your DH there to help with the lifting/carrying though.

😆

Georgesgran - OP didn't say what age her twin grandchildren are- older GD is 5. Presumably they are pre-walking.

Abitbarmy - after you start carrying them around, you may get better at it again, as long as you don't have any serious health issues. Weight training is supposed to be beneficial to older people! Others here may have suggestions about how to lift/carry safely. Are there stairs?

Georgesgran
How many 5 year olds weigh 20 pound ?

Yes - I know!! I think I’ve had brain freeze this morning.
However my 5 year old DGS is very tall, but very slim and lightweight.

Oh yes I know how you feel. It’s a bit of a shock isn’t it to find you can’t do as you used to. I lifted my 4 year old Granddaughter on to the kitchen worktop a while ago and pulled a muscle which kept me awake all night, I’ve learnt my lesson there.
I think your doing amazing well to look after twins. Just try to limited the amount of carrying around, and practice safe lifting from the floor, look online. Try and have a rest inbetween. Me and DH similar ages to you take it in turns to have a rest. Hope it’s not too long before their walking.
Oh and plenty of walks in the pushchair good for all of you.

I found a similar thing happened when we started to look after our youngest grandson when I was only 66, Abitbarmy, and I see myself as fit too. It had been two years since I carried his cousin round with no problem, but I struggled taking the youngest upstairs for his nap, and had to enlist DH’s help. It didn’t help that he had the attic bedroom.

In my case I wonder if it was due to the after effects of Covid, which I’d had a few months earlier, as I feel my stamina levels have improved since then. Could this possibly be a factor with you?

I looked after our twin granddaughters by myself, from age of 1 tilll they went to school. I was also mid 60s. The only carrying I remember was taking them up and down stairs for afternoon nap in their cots. The rest was brief lifting into push chair or onto swings etc. we had a very useful floor level ball pit, once in that they stayed in one place while I went to the loo or made food etc

Have you thought of buying one of those baby slings? My DD uses one when she is pottering around the garden with baby on board (6 and a half months old) and she says it gives her arms a rest! I used to have one when my 2 were little, but they are so much easier to put on nowadays.

My sister bought a hip carrier. Just google. Available on Amazon (of course!)

I can entirely empathise with you. At 60 my twin grandchildren were living with us from when they were a couple of weeks old. I was the sole carer as DH was still working full time. I had absolutely no trouble lifting and carrying them. Six years later when the next grandchild was born it was a very different story. Fortunately DiL was a stay at home Mum and we were only needed for the odd bit of babysitting but I had to rely on DH to do the carrying. I don’t think there is an answer. You just have to rely on your DH and hope they are early walkers. I hope you enjoy the twins. What a blessing.

I struggled with our GC twins even when they were less than two. We used a travel cot when doing little jobs so they were safe on one place. It would also be handy if you had a lightweight twin stroller around to put them in taking the strain off you. It would be easier for you lifting them out of the travel cot and stroller as there is a bit of height in them so less bending down.
It was worse for me when they would sit with toys and ask me to play with them. I had a THR so sitting on the floor and low seating was a no it was quite upsetting. What you can’t cope with ask for help don’t struggle.

I also thought of a baby sling but never having used one I don’t know whether they are the answer.

The twins are 10 months old, not yet walking one is crawling everywhere so need to keep hauling him up when he gets trapped etc. I have got severe osteoporosis but as far as I know it doesn’t affect strength and as regards that I’m very confused as to what exercises I should be doing, lots of conflicting advice.

When their sister used to get fretful I found walking around looking out of different windows and walking around the garden helped calm things.

We do have a twin buggy and a travel cot but they’re not easy either, the travel cot is quite low.

Please look after yourself! If you feel deep down that you will be unable to carry the twins around speak to their parents. Of course it is normal ! Small children care heavy!! and lifting from floor level is not easy. I know you have your DH around but he too needs to preserve his health.I am sure your AC would understand your predicament, our AC often don't see us ageing - we are just capable Mum ! Your health is paramount, if alternative child care is needed then so be it. Once they are just that little bit older you will be able to take up the reins again and that is not too far away. Look after yourself and your DH . Good luck.

Reading your posts leads me to believe you do know that taking care of them at the moment is a no no!! Follow what you know is right, two children to lift and carry NO!!!! No amount of hip carriers, buggies etc will make the situation any easier. You must not compromise your health , if you take on this childcare you will be anxious and the childrens safety will be compromised too. I recognize this is a difficult decision for you but be bold and follow your instincts on this. We are not as robust as we were a few years ago , and strained backs , pulled muscles can take a long time to repair - I know this sounds harsh but I think you know what you should do.

Your own health should come first. My Jack Russell is 9Kgs and no longer capable of jumping into the back of the car so I’m just imagining what it would be like having two of her to carry - even one at a time. 😮

Would you be able to cope in an emergency?

A relative with epilepsy was told not to carry her children around, right from the start, in case she fell down in a fit. She did manage, though, using pushchairs indoors and often sitting on the floor with them. If you don't start picking them up, they won't expect it. Your DH will be glad to help, I'm sure.

Don't do it ❌,!!!