Back care while caring for children

Rules General population Back care while lying down. Back care while sitting. Back care while lifting weight. Back care while standing up. Back care while getting up and sitting. Back care while bending. Back care while performing domestic work. Back care while caring for children. Older people Children and teenagers Housework Workers Sports

Grown ups must take care of their backs while performing specific activities, such as picking up children from a crib, bathing them, or teaching them to walk and taking them for a walk. It is also necessary to educate children to protect their backs, especially when carrying books and weights to school.

Picking up a child from the crib

When you pick up a child from a crib, think that the baby is an adorable weight that could be potentially harmful to your back. Lift the child following the recommendations in chapter 6. The most advisable way is through the "diagonal lifting" technique. Start from a standing position with your knees flexed: Place yourself near one of the crib's corners (for example, the left corner), with your right foot back and your left one placed considerably forward. Bend your knees, lift the child and stretch your legs to straighten up.

Another alternative is resting your left arm at the opposite extreme of your right foot. Lift the child with your right arm until held close to your body, then lean your weight on the left foot while no longer leaning on your left hand and stretch your legs to stand up. While you hold a baby, keep him/her centered and as close as possible to your body.

Bathing a child

To get a child in or out of the bathtub, stand by the bathtub with the child in your arms, close to the center of your body at the chest and neck level. Place your legs apart and one foot further behind. Rest the knee of the leg that is further behind on the floor and your elbows on the rim of the bathtub. Hold the baby with one arm, rest the other on the opposite extreme of the bathtub and place the child slowly in the water. To get the child out of the water, repeat these instructions in reverse.

Teaching a child to walk or taking a child for a walk

To teach a child to walk, do not guide the child from behind, holding the child's hands with his/her arms stretched above his/her head as it would keep you bent in an unstable posture, which is harmful to your column and uncomfortable for the child. If you should guide the child, stand facing the child, both legs slightly apart with one foot behind, flex your knees and rest your elbows on your knees. In this posture, hold the child's hand and guide him/her in a way that the child walks forward and you walk backwards, with your knees bent at all times. Probably, your leg muscles will tire rapidly from the effort, but this position is better for your column.

To walk with a child, use a stroller if the child cannot walk. Otherwise, if the child can walk, it is best that he/she do so, for the child's own development and for your column's sake as well. If you should hold the child, do it as closely and centered to your body as possible, holding him/her in the "camel style" (the child sits on your neck with his/her legs hanging on each side) or you may carry him/her on your back in a baby carrier. Another option if you are to hold the child during a short period of time, is to hold him/her on your side, resting the child on the hipbone, provided you change sides frequently. Nevertheless, if the child can walk, he/she should always walk. Lifting him/her whenever he/she wishes is a hazard to your back and an educational problem for the child.

Carrying books to school

When taking books to school, try to have children use a bag with wheels, or a comfortable rucksack, with wide straps, placed correctly, distributing the weight between both shoulders instead of using it as a hand satchel or over one shoulder.