Lifting and carrying a child, picking up toys off of the floor, and pushing a stroller are normal daily tasks for parents and grandparents.\u00a0 The American Physical Therapy Association\u00a0 offers this Mother\u2019s Day card to help caregivers\u00a0 accomplish these daily feats without aches and pains.<\/p>\n
Lifting Child From the Floor
\nWhen picking your child up off the floor, you should use a half-kneel\u00a0 lift. First, stand close to your child on the floor.\u00a0 While keeping your\u00a0 back straight, place one foot slightly forward of the other foot, and\u00a0 bend your hips and knees to lower yourself onto one knee.\u00a0 Once down\u00a0 on the floor, grasp your child with both arms and hold him\/her close\u00a0 to your body.\u00a0 Tighten your stomach muscles, push with your legs, and\u00a0 slowly return to the standing position.\u00a0 To place your child onto the\u00a0 floor, the same half-kneel technique should be performed.<\/p>\n
Carrying\/Holding Child
\nWhen holding or carrying your child,\u00a0 you should always hold him\/her\u00a0 close to your body and balanced\u00a0 in the center of you body.\u00a0 Avoid\u00a0 holding your child in one arm with\u00a0 him\/her balanced on your hip. When using a child carrier, be\u00a0 sure to keep your back straight\u00a0 and your shoulders back to avoid\u00a0 straining your back and neck.<\/p>\n
Picking up Toys From the Floor
\nAs a mother, you will find yourself cleaning up after your\u00a0 child often.\u00a0 When picking toys up from the floor, keep\u00a0 your head and back straight, and while bending at your\u00a0 waist, extend one leg off the floor straight behind you.<\/p>\n
Lifting Child Out of Crib
\nIf your child\u2019s crib has a rail that lowers, you will want it in the lowest position. When lifting your child out of the\u00a0 crib, keep you feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly\u00a0 bent. Arch your low back and, while keeping your head\u00a0 up, bend at your hips. With both arms, grasp your child\u00a0 and hold him\/her close to your chest.\u00a0 Straighten your hips so you are in an\u00a0 upright position, and then extend\u00a0 your knees to return to a full\u00a0 stand. To return your child to\u00a0 his\/her crib, use the same\u00a0 technique and always\u00a0 remember to keep your\u00a0 child close to your\u00a0 chest.<\/p>\n
Pushing a Stroller
\nWhen pushing your child in a stroller, you\u00a0 will want to stay as close to the stroller\u00a0 as possible allowing your back to remain\u00a0 straight and your shoulders held back.\u00a0 The\u00a0 force to push the stroller should come from\u00a0 your entire body, not just your arms.\u00a0 Avoid\u00a0 pushing the stroller too far ahead of you\u00a0 because this will cause you to hunch your\u00a0 back and shoulders forward.<\/p>\n
Visit our website to learn more about the COAST Physical Therapy Services philosophy and approach to physical therapy<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"