New babies lead us to make a lot of changes, and the musculoskeletal system has to adapt too. In the early days, physically positioning a baby who lacks neck control can cause us to adopt unsustainable positions that can lead to further problems elsewhere.

Feeding Related Pains

Whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding, trying to keep a baby comfortable while giving them their milk can be difficult. Some people like to use cushions, whether borrowed from the bed or sofa or made for purpose. You can use them to support yourself and your baby, with the aim of using as little muscle as possible to stay in your chosen position.

Breastfeeding in a sitting position can be comfortable as long as you’re well supported. If you have a shoulder raised to support baby’s head, you should be resting your elbow. The arm of a sofa or a stack of pillows can do the job here. Alternatively, feeding while laying on your side can allow you to assume the most neutral and relaxed position. This may take some practice, in positioning yourself and your baby. Note that if breastfeeding is particularly difficult for you and baby, you might like to get you baby checked for a tongue tie. Signs include a painful latch, noisy feeding, and gassiness or restlessness afterwards.

We commonly see new parents with upper back, neck, and shoulder pain associated with feeding. These three areas feed into one another, but can also lead to lower back strains.

Aches and Pains from Carrying

Whether carrying your baby while out and about or at home, it can be demanding on your body. Maybe your baby suffers from reflux and needs to be kept vertical after feeding- the time adds up. Aim for symmetry while carrying: if you need to carry your child for a long stretch of time, try to hold them on one side and then switch to the other. Not only does this help to keep you balanced, but it encourages your baby to use their full range of neck movement too. If you find your shoulder hitching or tension travelling into the side of your neck, it’s probably been too long. If this tension persists, your osteopath can help with relaxing the muscles and getting the joints moving again. In the long term, we can look at strengthening the shoulders and neck to improve adaptability.

Carriers and wraps can take the strain off when used properly. Read the instructions well to make sure baby’s neck and hips are ready and well positioned. Aim to weight-bear through bony areas rather than applying too much pressure to your waist.

Make an appointment for your aches and pains in Flitwick here.