is it dangerous to lift children in this way?

I am a mother of a 15 month old boy. I pick up my son that way but i usualy pick him up under the arms. Yes it can harm the kids and you are not being over protective. So long as he does not swim them around by the hands as that causes more force on the wrists and shoulders it will be perfectly fine.

If you are just lifting them (playing) the danger is minimal. The danger comes when they are jerked, or roughly tugged etc. It can cause nurses elbow, small fractures, broken bones, dislocations the list is endless. Children's bones do heal easier/faster and are more flexible. If hubby is not being rough, listen to the child if they like it and do not complain then it should be fine. Just make hubby aware.

Oh gosh, DEMAND that he stop RIGHT NOW! My brother was jokingly swinging my son around my his arms, he was a bit over 2 years old. And my brother dislocated my sons elbows. My son was sitting on the couch crying and we couldent figure out why, for several hours, finally my brother told me that he was swinging him around by his arms. I started feeling his arms, and my baby started screaming. So we ran to the emergency room and waited for several hours, till they could pop it back into place, the whole time my son was crying because he hurt so bad, and i didnt know what to do for the pain other then ice it. He was wrapped up in a blanket with ice on his elbow. It was terrible. Their wrists and shoulders can pop out to. PLEASE dont let your husband tdo that. It could REALLY hurt him and cause permanant damage to the tendions and muscles!!

I have always heard that you should not pick up kids like that, but let me tell you....every dad I know picks up their little ones like that and the little ones love it!

I have two boys past the age of three now and neither of them suffered any injuries from this kind of lifting. They are rough and energetic kids who have put themselve through many falls, collisions and general rowdy behavoir with little ill effects. I think as long as they are not being jerked suddenly or sharply but just being lifted up the wrist/hands they should be fine. But this isn't to say something can't happen, as I'm sure everyone's kids are diferent.

It's probably not a good idea for a lot of reasons, but their bodies are so flexible at that age, probably nothing could happen to them. However, your husband might get hurt doing it. My husband had problems with this own shoulders and elbows from picking the kids up like that all the time.