Antenatal and postnatal class: Proper postures in baby care
Transcript
Title：Antenatal and postnatal class: Proper postures in baby care
Physiotherapist: In everyday babycare tasks, new moms should keep good posture to prevent muscle strain in the back and wrists.
Narrator: To pick up baby from a crib, slide the baby close to you first. Then support the baby's neck and head with one hand , support buttocks and thighs with the other hand.
Using cradle hold, move your baby's head to the crook of your arm till his neck or nape is well supported on your arm. Then place the other arm under her back and buttocks.
To hold the baby upright, support his head and neck with one hand. Place the other hand under his buttocks. Support the buttocks with the forearm and use both sides alternately.
When holding a baby, keep wrist in neutral position. Don't bend the wrist excessively. Avoid L-shaped thumb and finger position. These can reduce wrist pain and the strain on the tendons over the wrist and thumb.
To lift baby from the floor, avoid bending the back. Bend knees and keep back straight. Support baby's head and neck with one hand. Support the buttocks and legs with the other hand. Then bring the baby close to your chest and ensure the baby's neck and buttocks are well supported. Then stand up
Make sure you have a comfortable position during breastfeeding. If you are sitting, use pillows to support your back, forearms and the baby. Have a footstool to support your feet.
It is common for mothers to get strain over the shoulders and neck. To prevent the muscle strain. Avoid leaning the head forward persistently, and perform shoulder and neck stretching exercise every day.
Mothers should change feeding positions from time to time, such as Transitional Hold, Football Hold, Cradle Hold, and Side-lying position. This helps reduce muscle strain. Consult healthcare professional if necessary.
When bathing baby or changing the diaper, mothers should always keep back straight.
To prevent back pain, place the tub to the mother's waist level. When changing the diaper on the bed or platform, the baby should be at the mother's waist level. This prevents back pain because mothers no longer need to bend the back.
The film is produced with the information and support from the physiotherapy departments of Hospital Authority
Produced by Family Health Service, Department of Health