Health Tip: New Moms, Protect Your Back

Be careful when bending or lifting

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(HealthDay News) -- New moms have enough on their minds without worrying about throwing out their back.

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The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers this advice:

• Try to exercise and strengthen your back muscles as soon as your doctor says it's safe.
• Make an effort to lose the baby weight -- within six weeks is recommended.
• Keep your arms and baby close to your body when you lift the infant.
• When lifting baby, bend at the knees and lift with your legs, instead of your back.
• Always drop the side rail of the crib when lifting baby, rather than bending over the rail and hoisting baby out.
• Before lifting baby from the high chair, remove the high chair's tray.
• Carry baby in a pack on the front of your body, instead of your hip.

-- Diana Kohnle