Holding your baby should feel sweet, not painful. But for so many new moms, something as simple as carrying your little one turns into sore shoulders, aching wrists, hip discomfort, or low back pain.
That’s because your postpartum body is still healing and adjusting. Hormones like relaxin are still affecting your joints and ligaments, which makes everything more mobile and a little more vulnerable to strain.
At Safe Haven Chiropractic here in Ashburn, VA, we see this often. Moms come in asking why their wrist is hurting, why their back feels off, or why they’re suddenly uncomfortable just from holding their baby. And honestly, it often comes down to body mechanics. How you’re holding your baby matters.
Here are some simple ways to carry your baby that protect your spine, support your posture,
and help your body feel stronger.
It’s second nature to rest your baby on one hip, especially when your hands are full. But that habit can twist your pelvis out of alignment and overwork your low back. Over time, this small imbalance builds up and starts to feel like chronic discomfort.
Try holding your baby centered over your body instead. Keep your weight even on both legs. If you need your hands free, use a baby carrier that distributes weight through both shoulders and across your core.
Many new moms deal with what’s called mommy wrist or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. It’s a type of repetitive strain that shows up when you’re always holding your baby with bent wrists or curled fingers.
To protect your wrists, keep them in a neutral position. Think about lifting with your arms and forearms rather than your hands. Small adjustment, big relief.
When your baby’s weight is positioned too far forward, like hanging from your shoulder or chest, it increases tension in your upper back and neck. That constant forward pull can leave you feeling tight and sore at the end of the day.
Instead, bring your baby in closer to your center. Keeping their weight hugged into your midline lightens the load on your muscles and gives you better control of your posture.
In the early postpartum season, your body is learning to carry and care for a whole new person. And without realizing it, certain holding habits can contribute to
The good news is that these habits are easy to correct once you know what to look for.
At Safe Haven Chiropractic, we help new moms rebuild core stability, realign the spine, and release the physical tension that comes with the daily rhythm of baby care.
You deserve to feel good in your body. You deserve to feel strong and supported. The way you hold your baby doesn’t just affect them. It affects you too, and it plays a big role in your long-term comfort and function.
If you’ve been noticing new aches or imbalances since your baby arrived, you’re not alone. There’s help. Chiropractic care might be the gentle reset your body has been needing.
Morning
Afternoon
Monday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Tuesday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Wednesday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Thursday
9:00 – 1:00
3:00 – 6:00
Friday
Some Friday Appointments
44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Suite 216, Ashburn, VA 20147.
Phone: (571) 549-6555
Fax: (571) 549-1776
