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Many mothers unknowingly develop poor posture while breastfeeding and holding their babies. If left unaddressed, this can lead to various health issues over time.
Why Mothers Develop Poor Posture: Key Reasons
Prolonged, Repetitive Positioning
Newborns need frequent feeding, which often means that mothers hold one position for extended periods. This sustained posture strains muscles and joints, leading to slouching or leaning. Many mothers also favor one arm or side when holding their baby, which can cause muscle imbalances that worsen over time.
Physical Exhaustion
The physical demands of caring for a baby, coupled with limited sleep, lead to muscle fatigue. When exhausted, maintaining proper posture becomes challenging, and slouching often results, particularly during long feeds or when comforting a fussy baby.
Lack of Exercise
Postpartum recovery frequently leaves mothers with limited time or energy to exercise, especially for strengthening core and back muscles—essential for supporting good posture.
Focus on the Baby’s Comfort Over Their Own
Mothers prioritize their baby’s comfort, often adjusting their own posture to ensure the baby is content or feeding well. This can mean leaning, craning their neck, or reaching awkwardly, which puts additional strain on their bodies.
Stress and Tension
The natural anxieties of early motherhood can create muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, often leading to hunched or rounded posture.
Potential Risks of Poor Posture in Postpartum Women
Poor posture during breastfeeding or while holding a baby can lead to various physical problems, such as:
- Shoulder Pain and Stiffness: Holding a baby on one side can strain shoulder muscles, resulting in pain, inflammation, and even restricted movement, often called “mom shoulder.”
- Neck and Upper Back Pain: A slouched position places undue stress on the neck and upper back, leading to pain and stiffness.
- Lower Back Pain: Poor posture while standing or sitting increases the burden on lower back muscles, causing pain or even injury.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Holding the wrist at awkward angles during breastfeeding can strain the wrist, potentially leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Long-Term Postural Changes: Habitual poor posture may contribute to rounded shoulders, forward head posture, and a weakened core, which can cause chronic pain and lasting postural issues.
ACC’s Comprehensive Solution for Posture and Postpartum Pain
Good health enables mothers to approach each day with positivity, which ultimately benefits both mother and child. At ACC, we offer a holistic approach for mothers facing pain or strain from poor posture due to breastfeeding or holding their baby. By combining Chiropractic care, Physiotherapy, and specialized rehabilitation exercises, we provide effective, lasting relief while promoting long-term musculoskeletal health.
Here’s how our approach addresses posture-related issues:
- Chiropractic Care: Our qualified chiropractors use gentle adjustments to realign the spine, which reduces pressure on nerves and restores joint mobility. These adjustments can alleviate back pain, shoulder discomfort, and neck stiffness—common complaints from prolonged poor posture.
- Manual Therapy: Manual therapy techniques help restore movement to restricted joints, which may have become stiff from repetitive poor posture. By improving flexibility and range of motion in the shoulders, neck, and spine, manual therapy promotes better posture and relieves pain.
- Rehabilitation Exercises: Our customized rehab exercises focus on retraining posture by strengthening key postural muscles in the back, shoulders, and core. These exercises help mothers rebuild strength and maintain proper posture, reducing the likelihood of long-term pain and discomfort.
As the leading Chiropractic Clinic in Vietnam since 2006, ACC provides care by 100% qualified Doctors of Chiropractic. Additionally, as part of FV Group and Thomson Medical Group Singapore, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to support both physical and mental health, providing comprehensive support for new mothers.
Book an Appointment Today! Start your journey toward a healthier, pain-free life.
