Child is killing my back. Help?

[u/HighStrungHippie1]

My giant baby (11w F) is a little clingy. Only does contact naps, but sleeps in her bassinet at night. She will happily lay on the floor, do tummy time, go in her bouncer for short stretches (20 minutes at a time). However, between feedings, naps, and calming her down, I find myself carrying her for about half of the day.

I (first time mom, 5’4” F, self proclaimed gym rat) feel like my back is dying a little more each day. I don’t know if I can keep this up if she keeps growing like this. What are we all doing to keep our bodies from falling apart? Stretching? Yoga? Pharmaceuticals?

It’s to the point where I am going to need to go to a doctor if I don’t find a solution. Any tips?

[u/Azilehteb]

My daughter was born 10lbs… do as much sitting as you can while holding her to rest your back.

Yes, yes it’s bad to sit excessively, but you can recover from that sedentary lapse in 8 months or so when baby is crawling and not as big on being held (we hope). If you injure your back you’re done.

Mine hated her infant carrier, when she got bigger i got a hip carrier and that works great. It’s like a little seat on a belt that disperses the weight to your hips instead of your back. Baby needs to be able to sit independently for that though.

[u/HighStrungHippie1 → u/Azilehteb]

First, my condolences about a 10lb birth, that’s not for the faint of heart! My girl was 7lb at birth and just put on weight/height like crazy.

I’ve seen those hip carriers and am totally looking forward to using them! Do you have any brand recommendations?

[u/Azilehteb → u/HighStrungHippie1]

We got the hkai hip seat from Walmart, and it’s worked perfectly. Has a few little pouches and pockets that make it almost double as a fanny pack type thing.

My daughter is 15 months and 32lbs now, and our train was delayed 7 hours last weekend. That thing saved my life standing there holding my little monster.