4 Top Tips for New Parents

Having become a father in the last year I am able to appreciate some of the physical challenges that come with having a young child. One of the things that becomes apparent is the number of awkward positions you find yourself in with a newborn baby. It might be bending forwards to change a nappy or holding the baby with one hand whilst trying to complete the daily chores. There are a number of ways you can minimise the physical stress of a new baby.

There are a number of ways you can minimise the physical stress of a new baby.

• Listen to your body

  It may seem obvious, but so many of us seem to forget it! If you find that there is a particular position which is uncomfortable then change how you undertake an activity so that you are not spending long repetitive periods in the same position. Most injuries are caused by repetitive minor stress rather than a single major event. Many of us put up with discomfort rather than modifying our movements.

• Use a sling or a wrap

  There are so many different options out there for slings or wraps for your baby. It’s important to ensure that you buy one that doesn’t distribute the weight through your baby’s hips. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the material some slings are made of may rub and irritate your baby’s skin. For this reason I preferred a wrap which doesn’t have any straps or buckles. Research shows us that slings are a very efficient way of transporting your baby as it requires 16% less energy than carrying your baby. In addition infants who are carried for three hours or more each day in their first three months of life cry 43% less often than those carried less frequently. Furthermore, the muscles that attach into the back of the head are involved with co-ordination and balance and learning, so if they are upright they are firing those muscles appropriately; you stimulate your baby’s balance system when you move.

• Stay active and exercise

  One of the things you have to adapt to as a new parent is a lack of time to do the things you used to. Suddenly it seems impossible to remember what you did with all that time! Exercise is clearly important to look after your body but also it helps to relieve stress. For most people becoming a parent for the first time is a wonderful, magical experience but it can also be a highly stressful experience adjusting to your new life. For many parents the evening is a good opportunity to exercise – even if it is just for a few minutes.

• Deep breathing

  Even spending a few minutes every day to breathe deeply into your abdomen can make a big difference to how you feel. It stimulates the part of your nervous system that’s associated with relaxation and healing.

• For more advice on how to navigate early parenthood (including help on how to tie a wrap!) please drop into the practice and book a free spinal consultation.