Do you remember the massages you used to get before you had kids? Those leisurely Swedish ones that involved gentle caresses designed to soothe the stresses of your overworked shoulders? Ahhhh…
And then — children. At least the kind that come into your life the way of labour and back-breaking delivery.
I had a taste of back labour with Miss Q. And had she not arrived so quickly, I totally would have caved and taken any drug offered to me.
That said, I was (more or less) prepared for the pain that comes with giving birth. But I didn’t know what a toll having babies would take on my back. Everything from my neck to my hips seems to be in a constant state of OUCH. Aside from all the lifting and playing on the ground and laundry and bending and diaper bag carrying and hip-carrying babywearing, as a mom you’re just so.darn.tired. So posture probably isn’t at the top of your priority list either. I know it’s not at the top of mine.
Did you know that by the time your kid is a year old, the average parent is lifting and carrying up to 17 pounds several times a day? (Unless you’re my kids who were 17 pounds by the time they were three or four months old. My one year olds were easily 25-pounders!).
So, like parenting, keeping stress off of your lower back is a delicate balancing act. Chiropractors commonly treat new moms with back pain and have lots of recos to reduce back stress. (Which usually leads directly to reducing brain stress, in my experience!)
To help parents who’ve got a pain in the back, the Ontario Chiropractic Association is giving away a $100 prize pack that includes a baby-and-me yoga video, portable foot massager, exercise ball, active heat wrap for back pain and, of course, a new diaper bag that fits all those fab goodies. Enter here!
Angela Mitchell says
I had back pain for about a year after having my son but I haven’t had any problems for several months now. I also had nerve pain from where I had an epidural for months afterward.
Angela Mitchell says
I had back pain for about a year after having my son but I haven’t had any problems for several months now. I also had nerve pain from where I had an epidural for months afterward.
hmrcarlson says
After carrying twins twice, back pain has become a constant for me, unfortunately.
hmrcarlson says
After carrying twins twice, back pain has become a constant for me, unfortunately.
Eldon says
My sister had her first child and shortly her back hurt and had to see a practitioner
Eldon says
My sister had her first child and shortly her back hurt and had to see a practitioner
Athena says
I never had back pain before, but I definitely had it during and after
Athena says
I never had back pain before, but I definitely had it during and after
Kim Tanti says
My first child was 8.12 the second was 9.8 so I was so scared with the 3rd. but she was the smallest at 8.5 but the hardest on my back. I have had back spasams so bad I went without sleep for almost 3 days.
Kim Tanti says
My first child was 8.12 the second was 9.8 so I was so scared with the 3rd. but she was the smallest at 8.5 but the hardest on my back. I have had back spasams so bad I went without sleep for almost 3 days.
Darlene W says
Hey Ladies, wait to you hit 50 and you get aches and pains in parts of your body you never even thought you would get pain
Darlene W says
Hey Ladies, wait to you hit 50 and you get aches and pains in parts of your body you never even thought you would get pain
Judy Cowan says
Kids and back pain do seem to go together. I seem to have some degree of back pain every day now.
Judy Cowan says
Kids and back pain do seem to go together. I seem to have some degree of back pain every day now.
Angela @epicuremama says
Ugh…breastfeeding I felt like my back was broken in half most of the time…no longer breastfeeding but I know my posture has suffered!
Angela @epicuremama says
Ugh…breastfeeding I felt like my back was broken in half most of the time…no longer breastfeeding but I know my posture has suffered!
susan duong says
my back also got worse when i got pregnant , still dealing with and trying to manage the pain often.
susan duong says
my back also got worse when i got pregnant , still dealing with and trying to manage the pain often.
Kristi Renout says
My back was the worst when I was pregnant! It got a bit better after, but I still find it’s worse now that I’ve had kids.
Kristi Renout says
My back was the worst when I was pregnant! It got a bit better after, but I still find it’s worse now that I’ve had kids.
Jennifer M says
I often feel like an old lady when I get up from the couch or bed! My 3 year old still loves to be carried. HELP ME!
Jennifer M says
I often feel like an old lady when I get up from the couch or bed! My 3 year old still loves to be carried. HELP ME!
kathy downey says
After my second child I found myself having back pain most days.with baby in my arms and one on my hip
kathy downey says
After my second child I found myself having back pain most days.with baby in my arms and one on my hip