Mums in pain! Children are a pain in the back
It’s official. Children are a pain in the back, in fact, 83 per cent of mums suffer back pain directly relating to the day-to-day care of their young children.
A new survey conducted by buggy brand Maclaren Buggys and back charity Backcare, found that the 83 per cent of mums suffering from back pain believe it has been caused or exacerbated by their children.
Pregnancy appears to be the flash point, then followed by the everyday lifting and hauling up and down their babies and toddlers.
As well as this, a huge 73 per cent of mums also linked their back pain to pushing the pram and its folding up and down.
It seems that lots of mums will be in regular pain according to the statistics as 84 per cent of women are using their pushchairs up to three times a day, and a massive 91 per cent of them are folding them or unfolding them up to three times a day. Mums who drive are still reporting problems as 47 per cent of them struggle to lift them in and out of the car.
Chief Executive for BackCare, Sash Newman said: “A pushchair is one of the most important pieces of baby equipment a parent buys – they will be using it constantly for years, not just months. If you choose one that has the wrong handle height for you, is too heavy, or is difficult to fold and lift then you could be storing up some real problems for the future.
“With such high usage all parents should consider the effects of a pushchair on their back and look for features that promote good back health – not just one that looks good or is used by a celebrity and hopefully our ‘Top Ten Tips’ will help women make the right choice for them.” She continues, “When choosing a pushchair women should be looking for good handle height – too short and you’ll be bending your back. The frame design should allow you to take a full stride, it should also be light to lift and easy to fold. We have found all these elements in Maclaren Buggys.”
Marketing Manager at Maclaren, Jo Ebdon said: “87% of parents push their buggies between 3-10 miles per week. That’s a lot of regular use so it’s important for parents to be comfortable. All our buggies have ergonomically optimised handles that keep parents’ arms in a good pushing position and therefore their head, neck and back in correct alignment. Our unique angled A-frame design also ensures parents can take nice large steps without the risk of kicking the back of the buggy when walking.
“The survey also highlighted the importance of handle height to Mums. Maclaren buggies have a good range of handle heights at 104 – 114 cm (41-45”). Plus our Techno XT and XLR models also have height adjustable handles, for increased flexibility and comfort.“
The Maclaren buggy came about after a former test pilot and aeronautical engineer saw his daughter struggling with her large bulky pram. Owen Maclaren, was inspired to create something more user friendly and lightweight, yet sturdy enough to carry a baby. The buggy would also have a unique umbrella fold mechanism.
In a response to the survey, Backcare and Maclaren have joined up to create a ‘Top Ten Tips’ providing advice on what mums should look for when choosing a pushchair. It also contains vital tips on how to protect your back when looking after young children.
Top Ten Tips for mums on how to look after their backs
1.Look for a buggy with good handle height to keep yours arms in a good pushing position – this will help keep your head, neck and back in the correct alignment.
2.When pushing your buggy you should keep your shoulders down and relaxed and your elbows in.
3.Make sure the buggy you choose has a frame that allows you to swing your legs fully in front when walking.
4.Opt for a lightweight buggy, especially if you are always lifting it in and out of the car.
5.Make sure your buggy is easy to fold/unfold.
6.When lifting your child try not to bend over, instead bend at the knees and squat next to your baby. Hold your baby close to you and straighten up from the knees. ‘Bend your knees, not your back’ is the key to lifting small children.
7.If you are picking up a toddler, put one foot in front of the other, bend at your knees and encourage them to ‘walk’ up your front leg.
8.Avoid carrying your child on one hip – instead carry them in front of your body with their legs around your hips.
9.Exercise your back regularly – many exercises and activities can help you keep your back fit and healthy. Yoga, walking and swimming are particularly popular.
10.Use a well-designed backpack, such as the one BackCare has available that spreads the weight evenly over your shoulders to carry your baby equipment – not a single sling bag.
Please note the aforementioned tips do not constitute medical advice and information displayed on maclarenbaby.com should not be used to replace medical advice received from qualified (healthcare) professionals, Maclaren is not in a position to recommend any specific treatment, product or therapy.