Are you a childcare worker who has to pick up children all day long? Or are you a mother with young children who you still have to pick up? Then you may have also suffered from back problems. Back prevention is very important, not only in child care, but for everyone. In Belgium alone, 8 out of 10 people have back problems. If you read on, you will find out what causes back problems and what the risk factors are. Finally, you will be shown the broad outlines of back prevention. In other words, how do I prevent myself from suffering from back problems?

The cause of back pain

There are often several causes of back pain. I can best divide them into three categories:

1. Individual factors; e.g. age and lack of exercise
2. factors that burden the body; e.g. the posture, lifting and carrying
3. Psychosocial and organizational factors; e.g. time pressure and lack of help

Some risk factors for a bad back are:

• Bend forward and turn to the side at the same time
• Sitting in the same position for a long time
• Bend forward without bending your knees
• Lifting and carrying a load incorrectly
• Stress is also a risk factor that can cause back problems

What should I do to prevent back pain when caring for children?

The most important thing is that one maintains a straight back as often as possible.

We can adjust our workstation

Changing tables The changing table should not be too high or too low for the nurse. It is therefore best to provide a height-adjustable changing table. The table should be approximately hip height. You can also provide steps for staff to stand on if necessary. If there is an opening at the bottom, you can stand closer to the table by placing your feet under the table. This is also better for the back. Necessary items during changing must be within reach; between hips and shoulders. Some changing tables also have steps for the children so that they can climb onto the table themselves, without you having to pick them up and strain your back.Children’s playpens The classic playpens are often placed directly on the ground, with the bars being too high and the bottom of the playpen too low. This makes it very difficult to lift a child out without straining your back. Ergonomic playpens are raised like a loft bed and have a mobile wall. The side is therefore equipped with a gate that can be opened, so that the caregiver does not have to bend over.The sleeping area Beds for non-independent children should be between 85 and 110 cm in height and should have sliding bars that you can open with one hand. Beds for independent children are a maximum of 30 cm high. There must be enough space around the beds to allow you to move between them easily and in a manner that is gentle on your back.The play area As a childcare worker, you often sit on the floor among the children and this can be stressful for your back. A rolled up banana cushion to sit on, or something that has the same effect, can reduce strain. To clean up the toys, it is best to use a subtractor to sweep everything together first.Meals Meal carts are very useful for transporting food to the dining area in one go. Babies who are still bottle-fed should rest their heads on your arm, but this is very stressful. It is therefore recommended to rest the same arm on, for example, a table. Also sit down during this action. Place older children who still need help with eating in a high chair and sit yourself, preferably as close to the high chair as possible and always with a straight back! For toddlers who sit at their own table, it is best to sit on a child’s chair instead of having to bend over from an adult chair.

Adjust movements and posture

As you already know, the correct sitting position is with a straight back and possibly with lower back support . Always bend your knees when you are working with children. This is back-friendly and at the same time less intimidating for the child. Sitting in a crouched position for long periods of time is also experienced as stressful, so a solution to this is to rest one knee on the floor. If you do bend forward, rest on something so that you can maintain your natural curve (straight back). For example, if you have to close the zipper of a child’s jacket, you can place the child on a platform or you can get down on your knees. Never bend over with your legs extended!Lifting and carrying When lifting and carrying a load you must take three things into account:

1. You have to frame the burden. This means that you have to stand diagonally over the load when you want to lift it.
2. You must maintain the natural curves of the back (straight back).
3. You have to bend your knees.

When carrying, you should keep the load as close to the body as possible, in this case the child. Putting the child back down is also done by bending your knees and maintaining a straight back.

Valve

This was a brief summary of back prevention in childcare, but there is much more information out there. You can find this in detail in the attached source. I hope I have taught you something with this article! So remember: straight back.