Preventing Back Pain: Tips for New Moms Breastfeeding: Choose seating with back support, and position your baby with pillows so you don’t have to lean forward to nurse. Lifting her from the crib: Keep your feet hip-width apart, and pull your child toward you. Then bend with your knees and pull in your abdominals as you lift her up to your chest. Putting him in a high chair: Don’t shimmy him into the narrow space between the seat and the tray. Removing the tray first makes this thrice-daily movement much more graceful and back-friendly. Lifting her off the floor: No bending over! Instead squat down, tighten your stomach muscles, hold onto your child, and straighten your legs as you lift her up. Buckling him into his car seat: Avoid reaching in from the street if you can. Instead sit down next to the car seat with your child in your lap, then rotate your entire torso to the side and put him in the seat. Using a stroller: Whenever possible, use a squatting position to get your child in and out. Stand tall while pushing: Studies show that constant slouching throws off your spinal alignment, causing muscles and ligaments to strain in order to keep you balanced.