Monday, December 12, 2011

PAIN PREVENTION for Parents/Grandparents Part 2

Here are some more activities involving the young children in your life that could put you at risk for injury.

1. Bathing the child (in the bathtub). Sit or kneel next to the tub. Do not try to stay in a squat position for an extended period of time. Do not bend forward from your back. Use a proper squat to put the child in/out of the tub (squat using your legs and keep your back straight).

2. Playing with the children. Sit on the floor (cross-legged). Or sit on a chair/sofa and have them come up that height. As soon as they can, have them climb up to your lap instead of you lifting them up. Get on your hands and knees (keeping your back straight) for a few minutes. Lie on your back on the floor (with your knees bent). Or lie on your tummy as you play/read with them.

3. Lifting the child into a high chair or car seat. Squat down to pick up the child, keeping your back straight. Do not twist your back. Squat or kneel as you fasten the strap. When putting the child into the car, you may need to divide it into several steps in order to modify your position. This is very tricky, but you must find a way to do it without twisting your back. You may need to partially kneel or squat with one or both legs in the car.

4. Washing their hands/face. If they are old enough, have them stand on a step stool. Otherwise, use your body in a semi-squat position to support the baby's lower body. Use one arm to support the torso. Use the other hand for the washing. Be sure to keep your back straight! (Do I sound like a broken record?!!)

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