The 'Mum' Posture: Why Your Body Feels It

My own mum was one of the biggest inspirations behind me becoming a chiropractor. Growing up, I was regularly adjusted alongside her, and as I got older, I could see how much she valued chiropractic care in helping her manage the physical stresses that came with raising us kids. A part of me always wanted to give that back to her. Even though I now live over 3,000km away, she still makes sure she gets her adjustments whenever we’re together.

Motherhood is rewarding, busy, and physically demanding, especially for busy mums juggling work, family, and life here in Darwin. And while the emotional load gets a lot of attention, rightfully so, the physical toll often goes unnoticed until something starts to ache. Over time, these daily habits can contribute to neck tension, back discomfort, headaches, and general fatigue.

What Is “Mum Posture”?

You might recognise it: rounded shoulders, a forward head position, a hunched upper back, tight neck and shoulders. It’s what we often call “mum posture,” and it’s not just about how you sit or stand. It tends to develop gradually through the repetitive daily movements and positions that come with caring for little ones.

The Everyday Movements That Add Up

Breastfeeding Positions

Long periods spent leaning forward or looking down at your baby can place strain on the neck, shoulders, and upper back. It adds up faster than most people expect.

Carrying Kids on One Hip

This creates an uneven load through the spine and pelvis, which over time can contribute to muscle imbalances and lower back discomfort.

Lifting Children, Toys, and Furniture

Constant bending, twisting, and lifting, often in a hurry or an awkward position, places repeated stress on the lower back.

Prams, Car Seats, and Cots

Reaching into cots or lifting car seats in and out of the car can strain both the upper and lower spine. These movements feel small in the moment, but done dozens of times a day, they accumulate.

The Role of Hormones

During and after pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin. It helps your body prepare for birth by loosening ligaments, but it can remain in your system for months postpartum, and even longer if you’re breastfeeding. This means joints may be less stable and ligaments more prone to strain, so everyday tasks can contribute to discomfort more easily than you might expect.

Simple Ways to Ease the Load

A few small adjustments to how you move through your day can make a real difference:

Bring baby to you. Use pillows when feeding so you’re not hunching forward to reach your baby.

Switch sides often. Alternate hips when carrying your child to reduce imbalance through the spine and pelvis.

Lift smart. Bend through your knees, keep your back as straight as you can, and hold your child close to your body.

Set up your space. Adjusting cot height, pram handles, and feeding chairs to suit your posture is worth the effort.

Take micro-breaks. Gentle stretches throughout the day can help relieve built-up tension before it becomes something more.

How Chiropractic May Support You

Chiropractic care looks at how your spine and joints are moving and aims to support joint movement, mobility, and overall function. For mums, this may include helping reduce muscle tension, supporting joint mobility, and encouraging better movement patterns over time.

Some people choose regular chiropractic care as part of their overall approach to managing the physical demands of parenting. At NT Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, care is tailored to wherever you are in your journey, whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or chasing toddlers around the backyard.

Watching mums push through discomfort day after day, without ever putting themselves on the list, is something I see regularly. Your body is working incredibly hard. Looking after your own physical wellbeing matters too.