The short explanation
Carrying a toddler on one hip for long periods is a very common cause of back and hip pain in mothers. Pushing one hip out to support the child puts uneven strain on the lower back, hip and pelvic muscles, and after pregnancy these muscles may still be weaker than before. Changes that often help include switching sides regularly, holding the child in front close to your body, bending your knees rather than your back when lifting, using a carrier or pram for longer outings, and doing gentle exercises to strengthen the core and hip muscles.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Other causes of hip and back pain after pregnancy include pelvic joint pain, a weak pelvic floor and core, and, less commonly, problems in the hip joint itself.
- Breastfeeding positions, sleeping with a child on one side and lifting from low beds or floors can add to the strain.
- A physiotherapist can assess your posture and suggest postnatal exercises. Family members can help by sharing carrying and lifting.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot confirm the cause of your pain. That needs an examination by a clinician.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is my pain from the way I carry my child?
- What exercises would help strengthen my back and hips?
- Should I see a physiotherapist?
- Are there any other causes we should check?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if back pain comes with numbness around the genitals or bottom, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you have back pain with fever.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment if the pain lasts more than a few weeks or makes daily tasks hard.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
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No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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