INTERESTING
Firstly, congratulations on your new baby! Having a baby is a very special time, however with all the happiness a new baby brings, it is not a secret babies come with their own set of unique challenges. Being an occupational therapist working in hand therapy, I am very familiar with the injuries that can be associated with the continual holding, lifting, reaching, grabbing, and twisting required to take care of a baby or toddler. Having a 2-month-old infant myself, I was recently reminded of the importance of using good ergonomics while holding and handling my baby in order to avoid developing a repetitive stress injury.
What is Repetitive Stress? In this case, I would describe repetitive stress as the wear and tear of being a parent. More accurately, it is pain, inflammation, and sometimes deterioration of muscles, tendons and/or nerves as a result of prolonged or repetitive stress from actions or positions. This can include conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, lower back pain, and neck pain.
Tips: Here are my favorite strategies for avoiding pain while caring for my baby
Use Pillows! Pillows can be arranged to support the weight of a newborn, under their head, under a caregiver’s arms, behind their lower back, etc. Try to arrange the pillows in a way that feels comfortable and relieves the load of the baby, especially if you are staying in that position for a long time.
Crib Ergonomics - Stand close to your baby when lifting or lowering from the crib. Remember to lift with your legs, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart to keep pressure off of your lower back.
Work Smarter - Avoid excessive snaps, ties, layers, etc. on clothing. I am not saying skip the cute outfit, however reducing daily repetition with clothing fasteners, or even food containers can reduce the daily strain on your hands and reduce the risk of developing pain.
Feeding - Avoiding keeping your wrists bent in awkward positions while feeding your baby. If possible, keep your wrist in a straight and relaxed position. This applies to bottle and breast feeding. Also, don’t forget about the rest of your body! Remember to have good posture with your lower back and arms supported in a comfortable position.
Carrying the Carseat – No matter how small the baby, carseats can be heavy. Avoid carrying the carseat on one side of your body, hanging like a purse. It can cause strain to one side of the body and lead to neck and back pain. As with any heavy load, try to hold the carseat close and centered to your body.
Here is another picture of my new daughter Lucy, the inspiration for this post, with her big sister June.
If you develop any signs of a repetitive stress injury, such as pain, tingling, throbbing, tenderness, reach out to your health care provider and visit us at Ortho RI.
