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Is Your New Baby Hurting
Your Back? Your new baby is soooooo
adorable – but all that lifting and carrying is making
your back tight and sore! A spinal misalignment or a
pulled muscle is the most likely cause of the pain.
After childbirth your abdominal muscles are stretched
out and weak, and are unable to support your spine,
especially if you aren't careful lifting, or your baby
is starting to get heavy. And it doesn’t take much to
pull an unsupported spine out of place.
For example, by around 10 months, boys usually weigh
somewhere between 17 and 26 pounds -- hardly the
heaviest load, but enough to strain your spine. Avoid
injury in the first place by learning safe lifting
techniques.
Here are a few chiropractic tips to help:
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Whether it's a baby or a bag of
groceries, use your leg muscles to begin and
complete the movement instead of those of your back
and abdomen.
-
Try to keep your baby as close to
your body as possible while lifting.
-
Don't hunch over; maintain a
straight upper back.
-
Lifting from the floor is hard on
your lumbar spine. Use a diagonal foot position, and
get as close to your baby as possible.
-
It is easier to pick up weights that
are waist high or off the floor. If you must reach
down to the floor, be sure to bend your knees to
take the strain off your lumbar spine.
And to get rid of that round tummy that
is so cute on Baby, but less so on you? Try these fun
core-strengthening exercises with your baby!
-
Lay on your back with both legs
extended straight up and together, while holding
your baby. Now open your legs, extending arms while
lifting your baby, saying something cute like "coochie
coo." Close your legs like a pair of scissors; lower
your baby to your chest and hug her. Perform three
sets of eight reps.
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In a standard sit-up position, rest
your baby against your thighs. Begin a shoulder to
knee crunch while at the same time pulling your baby
toward you. Once you are in contact with his tummy,
blow on that yummy round belly! Lower and return
your baby to the start position. Perform three sets
of ten reps.
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