It’s natural to give your baby as much love and attention as possible by holding and carrying them. Many parents continue to carry their babies even when feeling back pain. When your baby is tiny and new, you can hold them forever, but as they grow, it gets more difficult. Staying healthy as a parent is important. Minor back pain can turn into something serious if you don’t take care of it.
Solutions to Carrying Your Baby Without Back Pain
Use the following 5 tips as a guide on how to carry your baby without hurting your back.
1. Get a Baby Carrier
It’s a pretty simple suggestion, but often it's quicker just to pick your baby up and hold them than to put them in a baby carrier first. If you are going to hold your baby for longer than a few minutes, it is a suggestion for saving your back.
A baby carrier should be one of the top items on your registry. After clothing, diapers, and feeding essentials, you need a way to carry your baby while also caring for your back. Having a carrier to wear them in can be a lot more comfortable and soothing for the both of you.
The four most popular types of baby carriers are ring slings, wraps, soft structure, and solid structure carriers. Ring slings and wraps are made from soft fabrics and usually hold your baby in the front. Structured carriers have options for front and back carrying and are made with sturdier materials.
2. Use a stroller
Choose the best stroller for your needs whether it be something that is convenient to unfold and pop your little one into, or a high-tech baby stroller with fancy features. Using a stroller for walks or when shopping is a must. Relieve pressure off your back, neck, and shoulders by placing your baby in a stroller rather than trying to carry them around.
The effort of getting them in and out will be well worth it. Make sure to kneel or squat down when lifting your baby from a stroller. When choosing the best stroller for you, always look for something with a handle long enough to reach without leaning over. This will also prevent shoulder and back pain from pushing a stroller for long periods.
3. Follow Safe Lifting Practices
Some of the discomfort you feel in your back is a result of how you lift your baby. When picking up your baby from a bassinet, stroller, car seat, crib, or the floor, bend your knees so you are not bending from the waist but rather squatting. Keep your feet hip-width apart and your back straight. Hold your baby close to your body. Use your legs rather than your back to stand up and avoid twisting.
4. Strengthen Your Core and Back
Your abdominal and back muscles work together to keep your core strong. Yoga and pilates are great forms of exercise to strengthen these muscles. Not only will you strengthen these incredibly important muscle groups, but you will also get some time to relax and feel more energized.
5. Watch Your Posture
Slouching or hunching while carrying your baby will make your back pain even worse. This puts stress on the spine and can contribute to headaches and neck pain. When holding your baby, try to keep your body in a straight line rather than pushing your hips out or hunching forward.
Final Thoughts on Back Pain From Carrying Your Baby
Some parents tend to feel muscle strain in the area between their shoulders more than their lower back. This happens especially when doing repetitive activities such as lifting your baby and bending over.
The fatigue that goes along with late-night feedings also contributes to injury. When you are more tired than usual, your muscles can't fully recover. By following the guidelines listed above, you can significantly reduce your risk of long-term back problems and injuries.
