Family Chiropractic's Tips for New Parents

Caring for a baby can be tough on your back and neck. These tips can help reduce the risk of back injury. 

• Begin exercising soon after delivery to restore muscle tone to the abdominal and back muscles. While the baby is napping, take 10 minutes to do stretching exercises on the floor each day. This will help restore hip and back flexibility.
• Do not stretch your arms out to pick up the baby. Bring the baby close to your chest before lifting. Avoid twisting your body.
• To pick up a child from the floor, bend at your knees, not at your waist. Squat down, tighten your stomach muscles and lift with your legs.
• Remove the high chair tray when you are trying to put the baby in or take the baby out of the high chair.
• Consider using a "front pack" to carry the baby when you are walking.
• Do not carry a child on your hip; this overloads the back muscles.
• To avoid upper back pain from breastfeeding, bring the baby to your breast, rather than bending over the bably. While you are nursing, sit in an upright chair rather than a soft couch.
• Do not stand outside the car and try to place the child in the car seat. Kneel on the back seat as you place the baby into the car seat. Consider trading in your sporty two-door model for a four-door vehicle, which will make it easier for you to place the child in the car seat.