Ensuring you're carrying your baby with the right posture
Carrying the new baby correctly is just half of the issue, you need to watch your own posture too.
Recent research revealed that suffering from back pain has prevented more than half of parents from lifting or carrying their child.
And in light of the arrival of the royal baby the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) is urging parents to mind their posture with new babies.
The BCA is urging new parents to take better care of their backs when looking after their new arrival, and offers the following top tips:
Placing your child in the cot: The less you have to lift and lean to put your child into the cot, the better. Placing your child in the cot whilst keeping them as close as possible to you is best for your back. You should be placing them straight across onto the mattress, rather than lifting up and over high side bars (find a cot which has sides that drop down to several levels and which has a base that moves up and down, allowing you to access the cot more easily).
Feeding: Whether breast or bottle feeding, find a comfortable posture. Your arms should not be bearing the baby’s weight, so extra pillows or something like a ‘V’ pillow is a good idea. You should also try to alternate sides when feeding.
Carrying your baby: If carrying your baby without a sling or carrier, keep the baby’s weight close to your body and to your hip with your hip with your spine straight and swap sides regularly.
Putting your baby into the car: The idea is to hold the baby close as you move towards the vehicle. Keep your back straight and only bend your knees when you have got as close to the car seat as possible. Only at this stage should you reach out to put the baby in the seat. If you’re carrying the baby in a chair, rest the chair on the edge of the car seat, then manoeuvre it into position within the car, keeping your knees bent and back straight.
Prams/Pushchairs: Choose a pushchair or pram with adjustable height settings as it can be moved to suit your own height and that of anyone else who will be pushing it. You should be able to walk upright with a straight spine and your hands resting at a comfortable height. This will help you maintain a good posture.