After the birth
After the birth: how you carry, feed and lift
Care for parents in the months after a birth. Your doctor watches how you carry, feed and lift, shows you easier ways to move, and adjusts the spine only if you both decide it is right.
Movement guidance
Four everyday movements we look at with you
These are ways to move, not treatment. Your doctor tries each with you, with your own carrier and feeding pillow.
Carrying
Keep your baby close to your chest and your shoulders loose. Switch sides through the day. A carrier that fits keeps the weight near your center, so bring yours and we adjust it with you.
Feeding
Bring your baby to you instead of leaning down to your baby. Support your arms and back with pillows so your shoulders can drop. We look at how you sit, whether you nurse or use a bottle.
Lifting from the floor
Step close, bend at the hips and knees and hold the car seat or your baby against your body before you stand. We practice it until it feels easy.
Getting up from bed
Roll to your side first, push up with your arms and let your legs swing down. Slow is fine, and it spares your middle and your back.
- See your physician or midwife firstAsk when it is okay to start moving again after the birth, and tell them about any surgery, heavy bleeding, fever, or pain that is new or getting worse before you come. This page is movement guidance, not treatment for any condition.
What to expect
What a visit is like
What a visit includes
A talk about your days with your baby, a short exam, and time to try the movements below with your own carrier and feeding pillow. If your doctor recommends an adjustment, it is gentle, and you can say no.
Your baby is welcome in the room
Your doctor explains each step first
You can stop at any point
Movements to practice at home
How long and how often
A visit takes as long as the talk, the exam and the movements need. Your doctor sets a plan after the exam and changes it as you go. We do not promise a number of visits.
What we do not claim
We do not claim to treat any condition, and we do not promise results; results vary. We do not replace your midwife, physician or pediatrician.
We make no claim about feeding, sleep or your baby's health
We make no claim about recovery after the birth
When to see a physician first
Ask your midwife or physician when it is okay to start moving again after the birth, and tell them you plan to see us. Call them first about heavy bleeding, fever, a swollen or painful leg, or pain that is new or getting worse.
A visit is billed to your health plan if we work with it, or paid at the visit. The fees page shows how.
Questions about this care
What should I bring to the visit?
Your baby, your usual carrier, the pillow you feed with and a bottle or a snack if you need one. Wear clothes you can move in.
Can I come with a baby who needs to be fed during the visit?
Yes. Feeding is part of what we look at, so you can feed your baby at any point.
Do you adjust the spine at this visit?
Only if your doctor recommends it and you agree after the explanation. Many visits are the talk and the movements alone.
Ready to book a visit?
Tell us a good time to reach you and we will call, text or email as you ask.
- A sudden severe headache or neck pain, dizziness, trouble speaking or seeing, new weakness or numbness, numbness in the groin or saddle area (between the legs and buttocks), or new bladder or bowel trouble needs emergency care now. Call 911 or go to an emergency room.