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How to Prevent Back and Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
More than half of pregnant women experience lower back and pelvic pain, which not only impacts daily comfort and sleep but can also influence labor options and post-delivery recovery.
- Posture Matters: Stand tall as your bump grows; avoid slouching or leaning back.
- Limit Standing Time: Especially avoid prolonged standing in high heels; rest by sitting for 5-10 minutes every half hour.
- Modify Your Walk: Walking is beneficial unless it worsens pelvic pain. If discomfort increases, take smaller steps and reduce your pace.
- Avoid “Waddling”: Shifting side-to-side while walking adds pressure to your back and pelvic joints, increasing pain risk.
- Core Stability Exercises: Regular prenatal Pilates or yoga classes strengthen back and joints, keeping them flexible.
- Minimize Painful Activities: Recognize activities that exacerbate pain, and try to avoid them.
- Reduce Lifting: Alleviate pressure on your back and abdomen by lifting less.
- Take Breaks: Resting, particularly in the third trimester, is essential.
- Seek Treatment: While discomfort is common, persistent pain isn’t normal; consult a Women’s Health Physiotherapist if needed.
Is There a Connection Between Nappy Rash and Teething?
While no clinical link exists between nappy rash and teething, some parents notice an association. Extra saliva from teething may lead to looser stools, potentially increasing the likelihood of nappy rash. Another theory suggests hormonal changes during teething cause fluid imbalances in the gut, resulting in diarrhea. Regardless, prevention is key:
- Fresh Air: Let your baby go without a nappy to expose sensitive skin to air.
- Gentle Cleaning: Use warm water and cotton wool instead of wipes to clean your baby’s skin.
- Barrier Protection: Apply a barrier ointment or spray at each nappy change.
When Will My Baby Start Sleeping Through the Night?
This question depends on both how “sleeping through the night” is defined and each child’s unique patterns. For some, a five-hour stretch counts, while for others, it’s eleven to twelve hours without waking. Many infants start achieving longer blocks of sleep within weeks, often stretching to six to eight hours by 12 weeks. If a baby hasn’t reached a longer sleep period by eight weeks, consider possible factors like tongue-tie or digestive issues.
Around four months, babies’ sleep patterns shift to a more structured, complex cycle, where waking two to five times is biologically typical. Achieving a full night’s sleep relies on a child’s ability to self-soothe upon waking, which depends largely on how they fall asleep initially. There’s no universal age for night-weaning, and parents should follow their baby’s cues, as night feeds during the first year are normal.
