It's official – being a mum is back-breaking

A leading osteopath has confirmed what many new mums know too well - being a parent can be back breaking work!

Research into back pain both during and after pregnancy shows that more than 70 per cent of mums with children under two suffer from aches and pains. And over half of these suffer most when carrying their children in their arms.

The Wilkinet survey also shows that nearly all the mums (97%) love cuddling their children but nearly half can’t do so as often as they would like because of back ache.

Martin Grundy, a leading Osteopath from Whitley Bay, says that back ache is a natural result of pregnancy, when hormonal changes soften the joints, but that many of us make it far worse by the way we cuddle our children or carry them in slings not designed to support both baby and parent.

He says: “After a natural delivery every new mother has a slightly dodgy pelvic floor! If you use a clip fastening sling to carry baby or hold baby in a way that puts pressure on your shoulders and lower back you have a recipe for either burst stitches or numerous longer term low back problems”.

Martin also advises: “A well designed baby carrier transfers the weight directly onto the pelvic bones, your hips, and from there to the legs, so none of the baby's weight has to be carried through the spine, so there is hardly any load placed on the spinal column at all.”

Martin has been working with Wilkinet, a baby carrier celebrating its 25th anniversary. Designed by mum of eight Sally Wilkins, with the help of osteopaths, it is good for baby – making sure their weight is not carried on their tiny pelvis, simply supporting them on the thighs and bottom, and also good for mum - sitting low on the waist putting weight on the pelvic bones instead of the lower back The Wilkinet survey also showed that more than half the mums suffered from back ache at least a few times a week, with 17 per cent suffering some sort of pain all the time.

Martin and Wilkinet want mums to be more aware of the vulnerability of their backs at this crucial time in their lives and have come up with their top tips to protect both mum and baby.

• Ask an osteopath or physiotherapist for appropriate gentle exercises during pregnancy and the early weeks after childbirth. Or visit the ‘Love your back’ page on www.wilkinet.co.uk
• While pregnant, lying on your side in bed, place a pillow under ‘the bump’ to provide much needed support. Also put a pillow between your knees to prevent back strain.
• Seek professional help as soon as pain begins to help your body adapt to the changes and prevent future problems.
• Using an appropriate baby carrier after birth is easier on your back than carrying children in your arms – it also frees your hands for all those jobs you need to do!!
• Make sure all equipment is at a comfortable height for you – changing tables, pushchair, pram etc
• When breastfeeding use cushions to support a good posture. Avoid twisting and slouching as you may need to stay there for a while as baby gets his or her fill!
• Don’t over fill a one-shoulder baby bag – the spine starts adjusting to carry a heavy load and can cause strains.
• Take care when lifting or carrying children. Don’t carry children on one arm for too long.
• Try a sacro-iliac belt or baby sling like Wilkinet, which wraps tightly around the waist to support and realign your pelvis in the early weeks after child-birth.