It's hard not to be enamored with a new baby! Regardless if it's yours, or someone close to you, all you want to do is stare at their cute face! Not to mention hold and snuggle them!Not a bad way to spend your time. Except as that time starts to build and accumulate. Before you realize it, you've been sitting curled over this cute little baby for 3 hours, on a soft couch and your whole spine has a new shape to it! Not really a new shape but it sure feels like itIf you are the primary caregiver, there is the added positional stress of feeding said baby. If you are a nursing parent this can be especially aggravating. Often baby sits too low below the breast and instead of raising baby up, the parent will bend over to lower the nipple into their mouth.
How to improve nursing positioning:
Boppy pillows offer great support and do raise baby up but sometimes it's still not enough. A pillow underneath the boppy can help keep baby's mouth more level with the breast. You can also try to keep your neck in neutral but flick eyes downward when you need to check on baby instead of moving your entire neck, or just lessen the range the neck moves.Some parents who have a fast and large letdown may find that laying back helps control this. However, make sure you are propped well with firm pillows (like a wedge) along the whole spine. If you have an electric adjustable mattress, this is also a good option.
Baby Wearing
First and foremost, follow all manufacturer instructions for positioning baby safely in the baby carrier. One mistake that caregivers make is not having their carrier high enough/ tight enough. This means the center of mass is shifted forward more and can cause more flexion in the spine. If when you use your baby carrier, your back hurts, stop! It shouldn't cause pain. They are useful in helping to soothe baby but also be up and moving around a little bit, instead of being nap trapped.
Some baby carriers are designed so be used in multiple directions as baby grows. Make sure to follow instructions for the correct use based on baby's age/weight. When baby has reached the safe and appropriate milestones, wearing them on your back can help to decrease the forward pull of gravity with them on the front.
The newborn phase is very consuming and rightfully so. However, taking care of you means you're better able to take care of your baby. A happy and healthy caregiver both physically and mentally is important!
Physical therapy for posture dysfunctions after having a baby in Columbia and Baltimore, Maryland
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