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Return to Maternity Care
Caring for a baby is rewarding - and hard work. Like other kinds of work that require lifting, bending, long periods of sitting, and repetitive motions, it can be harmful to your body. Try these simple tips to prevent problems before they begin.
- Put one foot on a box or low shelf when you stand and change diapers. This causes your pelvis to tilt in a way that decreases pelvic fatigue.
- Keep work surfaces at a comfortable height. Put something under the legs of the changing table, for instance, to raise it if you're tall.
- Don't try to hold the baby and wrestle the side of a crib down at the same time. Instead, drop the crib side before you pick up the child.
- Don't bend from the waist when you lift the child. Squat with your back straight, keep the child close to you, and use your leg muscles to rise.
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- Don't bend over into the car when putting your child in the car seat. Sit sideways on the seat with the child on your lap, then rotate to face front and put the child in the seat.
- Make sure your feet touch the floor and your back is supported when you sit holding your child. Keep your knees at the same height as your hips or slightly higher.
- Adjust stroller handles so you're not bending over when you push.
- When loading a stroller or groceries in the car trunk, rest one foot on the bumper and keep the load close to your body.
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