You have a beautiful baby that you have nurtured for those first months of life. You have cared for them 24/7 and they have blossomed and grown. During this growing phase they’re obviously getting bigger and heavier. As a parent you’re continually lifting and carrying your child, this in turn puts stress on your back, mid back and especially your low back. Your little one still needs your comfort, so when you do pick them up it can be for a short period or as I’m sure you know, can be for longer periods.

As a chiropractor I see many parents that come into the clinic with sore, stiff low backs and sometimes they just cant move or bend. The reason that some end up in this predicament is that little bundle of joy that just wants to be picked up and carried all the time. Let’s be honest, who can say no to their little face?

The problem comes when we have to carry them for prolonged times or carrying whilst we get things done. For many, this carrying time is not just a few minutes it can be for extended times, those times when we place the toddler on our hip to do the cooking, answer that phone call, vacuum, walking in the shops and so on. In some instances this time can last for hours depending on how strong you are and how much pain you can withstand.

Does this sound familiar? You will pick up your child, jostle them onto your favourite hip and raise the hip to make a ledge. Well this is a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately this puts increased pressure on the back from the shoulder all the way to the hip. It is similar to carrying a heavy bag slung over one shoulder, but even worse.

When the body is put in a position for a sustained period of longer than 15 minutes, such as poor posture, the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint are deformed and a state of biomechanical stress called ‘creep’ occurs. This changes the viscoelastic principles of the area and when it comes to the body, can cause the rotation of the pelvis, or the pelvis tilting causing the joints of the spine to be much more susceptible to damage.

I know you’re thinking, “but what can I do?” Well, there is now a device that can mimic the action of the hip for the child, so you can still carry your little one and soothe them whilst you continue to multitask. It is called the hippy chick hipseat.

The seat provides a firm shelf for the child to sit on and supports their increasingly heavy weight from underneath. Instead of twisting your spine and pelvis, your back can stay straight and the child can be tucked into your chest on whichever side is more comfortable. This provides comfort and security for both the adult and the child. It allows that nurturing bond to flourish in the closeness of each other.

If you would like more information or would like to book an appointment at Neurohealth Chiropractic – please call the clinic on 9905 9099 or email us admin@neurohealthchiro.com.au or fill in the contact form from our website www.neurohealthchiro.com.au

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This article is written by Dr. Steven Cannon, Chiropractor – Neurohealth Chiropractic