Dad to be

SiOz

Hi I'm new to this forum and was hoping some of you may have advice.

My partner and I are expecting our first child in October.  I have relatively mild CP which mainly affects my walking and balance.  I walk with a limp and have some struggles with balance on uneven surfaces etc.  Im generally fine on stairs but struggle if I'm carrying things where i cant hold on to the rail.  

As the due date gets closer im increasingly worried about carrying the baby up and down the stairs etc.  I think i should be fine if i put them into a carry cot and use the rail with the other hand.  Just wondering if anyone has any tips, experiences or can recommend any products that might help.

Thanks

Si

woodbine

@SiOz hi and welcome to scope and a massive congrats on your great news, it's natural to be worried  but you seem to have thought it through and come up with a great solution.

leeCal

Congratulations, lovely news 🙂

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @SiOz Thank you for joining, and for sharing some information about your situation. 

Congratulations! I can imagine you're both feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement? 

I'll tag @Richard_Scope in here, as I'm sure he'll have some tips to share with you as a dad with CP himself. 

You might find this blog post on parenting and CP that Richard wrote helpful to read. 

I was thinking this blog post on babywearing may be relevant to you, too.

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Congratulations how about using a sling or baby carrier that holds the baby against your chest sorry can't remember the name of them . Both your hands would then be free 

Biblioklept

Baby sling and the carry cot both sound good ideas. 
My sister isn't disabled but she only ever carried her little one around in their carry cot because she felt it was easier (also meant she had a hand free for the rails!) 
Congratulations @SiOz

Richard_Scope

Hi @SiOz

I found that papooses were really helpful when moving my daughter around safely.  

 

In terms of equipment through research and talking with other parents with CP these are some of the most useful equipment:

 

Skin to Skin Nursing Top

 

Kangaroo Care Shirt

 

Obaby Atlas Stroller

 

Graco All Ways Soother, baby Swing and Potable Rocker

 

Ingenuity Baby Booster and Feeding Seat

 

A lot of being a parent is trial and error. Even more so when we have CP. A midwife or health visitor should work with you to find solutions that work.

 

One group I would suggest is Enabled2Parent. They have a wealth of experience and will work with him and the health professionals.