The New Parent Posture Problem

How Parenthood Can Impact Your Body, Sleep, and Mood

Becoming a parent is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, but let’s be honest, it’s also one of the most physically and emotionally demanding. Amidst the cuddles, nappy changes, and midnight feeds, new parents often find themselves navigating a range of unexpected body aches, poor sleep, and mood fluctuations.

Let’s explore how new parenting can impact your posture, contribute to pain, disrupt your sleep, and even affect your mental wellbeing, and what you can do to take care of yourself during this transformative time.

How New Parenting Affects Your Posture

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or carrying a baby on your hip while multitasking, new parenting is full of awkward, repetitive postures that your body isn’t used to.

Common postural strains include:

• Rounded shoulders and forward head posture from prolonged feeding positions.

• Pelvic misalignment and lower back strain from rocking, bouncing, or standing for long periods while holding your baby.

• Wrist and forearm tension (often referred to as “mum thumb” or “De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis”) from repetitive lifting and carrying.

• Uneven weight distribution from carrying a child primarily on one side of the body.

Without proper recovery and postural awareness, these patterns can lead to muscle imbalances, fatigue, and persistent pain, especially in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.

Postnatal Pain: More Than Just Aches

Many new parents assume that aches and pains are just "part of the job", but pain is your body’s way of telling you that something needs attention.

Some common issues include:

• Back pain from weakened core muscles post-pregnancy or prolonged lifting.

• Neck and shoulder pain from poor feeding posture and stress.

• Hip and pelvic discomfort from postural changes during pregnancy or poor support while sitting.

• Tension headaches from muscle tightness and sleep deprivation.

Over time, these physical stresses can take a toll on your quality of life and ability to engage in daily activities, including bonding with your child.

How Sleep is Disrupted (And Why That Matters)

Sleep deprivation is a well-known part of parenting, especially in the newborn phase. But it’s not just the baby’s needs waking you, it’s also your body’s discomfort.

Poor posture and pain often make it harder to find a comfortable sleep position, resulting in:

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Waking with tight, sore muscles

• A feeling of unrested fatigue, even after a full night

Poor sleep disrupts the body’s natural healing processes, weakens the immune system, and slows recovery; perpetuating a cycle of pain, stress, and exhaustion.

Mood & Mental Health: The Hidden Cost

With physical discomfort, poor sleep, and round-the-clock demands, it’s no wonder that many new parents feel overwhelmed. Chronic pain and fatigue don’t just affect the body, they impact mental health.

Postnatal body stress is closely linked to:

• Increased irritability

• Anxiety and stress

• Lowered mood or depressive symptoms

• Reduced motivation or energy levels

When your body feels “off,” your mood often follows. Addressing the physical aspects of parenting can play a vital role in supporting emotional wellbeing.

How Myotherapy Can Help

Myotherapy is a hands-on approach to musculoskeletal health that targets the root causes of pain and postural strain, especially for new parents.

Through tailored treatment and advice, myotherapy can:

• Relieve muscular pain and tension

• Improve posture and spinal alignment

• Support joint mobility and flexibility

• Assist with recovery from pregnancy and childbirth

• Promote relaxation and better sleep

• Provide ergonomic and movement education for daily parenting tasks

Combined with gentle exercise, stretching, and self-care strategies, myotherapy can help restore your body’s balance and give you the energy to enjoy parenthood with less pain and more comfort.

Simple Tips to Ease the Load

Until you can book a session, here are a few daily habits that may help:

1. Switch Sides Often: Don’t always carry your baby on the same hip.

2. Use Supportive Seating: Especially when feeding, opt for back and arm support.

3. Stretch Daily: Focus on opening up the chest, shoulders, hips, and lower back.

4. Prioritise Rest: Even short naps or deep breathing sessions can recharge you.

5. Ask for Help: You're not meant to do it all alone. Share the load when you can.

Shaun's Final Thoughts

Parenthood may change your world, but it shouldn't have to break your body. If you're feeling sore, tight, fatigued, or emotionally drained, it’s not just “normal” parenting wear and tear. It’s a sign your body needs support, and myotherapy can help you get back on track.

You take care of your baby, let me help take care of you.