Pregnant and a Kicking 12 Month Old

There is almost NO way your little one can harm your fetus. I doubt the kicks are strong enough. Your body is designed to protect your pregnancy from far worse things than that. Obviously try to change your toddler's behavior, but I definitely wouldn't worry about your baby's health unless your toddler is maybe literally standing on your abdomen and jumping high or something!!! I think it's just a fact of life when you have older kids and are pregnant. I am 36 weeks pregnant, and my 2 yr old elbows or kicks me in the belly sometimes. It HURTS like crazy, but my baby just kicks right back, haha! I'm getting beat up from BOTH sides! :)

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I think the baby is protected well enough but it still hurts to be kicked. Start teaching him to be more gentle with you. Even when youre not pregnant he should learn to not kick. It hurts when they do and you can say no, and teach him to be softer and more careful of what hes doing. When he wants to be picked up and those little feet will be right in your tummy, you can sit down first and it will lessen how much he can kick you there. In bed, what fun when they wiggle and squirm, but hold his feet down a bit, or wad the blanket up under his legs and give you a bit more padding between you. Start doing this now and when the baby is born maybe big brother wont be so clingly as some, and wont need to be picked up as often. Youll be glad you dont have to haul a big toddler up in the air after giving birth too. Oh, also tell him this is where his baby is and show him your tummy,, tell him dont hurt baby, and he might catch on and be a nice protective big bro. (o:

Your baby won't be able to kick hard enough to hurt your new little tiny one. I have a 12 month old too and am 27 weeks prego. I know what you mean! The kids seem to forget that there is a baby in my belly. It might hurt ME, but the baby will be safe for the small size that my children are. My older ones (3, 4, 8) I do teach them to be careful, but sometimes they forget. But my 12 month old I try to hold in a way to keep her from getting my belly:-) But the baby will be safe.

Now...if it's your HUSBAND doing these things (hehe), then we have a problem! :-)

I'd start telling son that he needs to be more gentle with Mommy's belly area. At the moment and until your belly starts really expanding - the fetus is so protected by all the levels of fat, muscle, and fluids. You can start getting big brother used to playing more gentle now and make it more and more strict as you get larger - which will also prepare him for playing with little sibling.

I'd also continue co-sleeping until about you are 6 months along and slowly transition him to another bed (either in your room or his own room - he'd probably prefer your room) so that by the birth... he's feeling secure and loved in his own space and you can bring new one in bed.

The above is what I've been doing with my 5 y/o - because baby #2 is coming in a week or 2 and she's co-slept with me since her birth.