Mommy Neck Giving You a Headache?

Becoming a new parent is a true blessing. You want to look at your new baby all the time. And, caring for your baby means looking down to feed them and change the diaper several times a day. All the looking down can give you a very literal pain in the neck. Some call it mommy neck or baby neck, but the fact is it can cause headaches and neck spasms.

Symptoms of Mommy Neck

Being a new parent brings many new experiences and activities. Some of those repetitive activities can cause mom or dad to feel some pain. It is akin to text neck. Are you experiencing any of these symptoms?

• Neck pain
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Tension in your chest or shoulders

Tips for Avoiding Mommy Neck

Never fear, there are things you can do to help you avoid the pain from frequently looking down at your baby.

• Look up any chance you get. If you need to look at your phone, hold it up high or place it on something at eye height.
• Concentrate on correct posture. When feeding the baby, sit with good posture. Consider a supportive chair with good lumbar support or add a lumbar support pillow.
• Sleep in a supportive position with a cervical pillow. This will help you rest and maintain a proper spinal curve.
• Stretch

Stretching for Relief

Adding stretches to your everyday routine prevents tightness and helps your body adjust to the next activity. Consider some of these stretches--

Chest opening - clasp your hands behind your head and open your elbows out and squeeze your blades back.

Doorway stretch - stand in a doorway and place your arms on the frame with your elbows down and palms flat. Lean forward so your chest goes through the doorway.

Nod - Nod your head  up and down, then look to the side and nod while looking while looking over your shoulder.

Want more? Alysa Bajenaru shares photos of more stretches for avoiding “mom posture” as she calls it.

With all stretches, be sure you to breathe and drink plenty of water.

Chiropractic Adjustments

For more relief, come in for a full assessment. You will find that upper back and neck adjustments realign your spine and take the stress off muscles and ligaments. Make an appointment today and let us help you move toward wellness.

Photo by Seth Reese on Unsplash