Debi Hinerfeld, OTR/L, Georgia Occupational Therapy Assn.: Occupational therapy is concerned with helping you live life to its fullest….
Narrator: Occupational therapist Debi Hinerfeld is going shopping with Georgia Arthritis Association Spokesperson, and mom of two, Kerry Ludlam.
To choose baby carriers that can reduce stress on muscle and joints.
Debi Hinerfeld, OTR/L, Georgia Occupational Therapy Assn.: If you do choose to use an infant carrier, make sure that you choose one that's lightweight and that has an ergonomic design.
No matter what kind of handle you choose be sure to carry it in your largest joint and to use both hands to distribute the weight.
One option for transporting your baby, instead of carrying a heavy car seat like this around as you walk from place to place,
is to have an infant carrier and a stroller frame so that you would transfer the baby from the car seat in your car, such as this one, to the infant carrier that snaps into place on the stroller frame.
Debi Hinerfeld, OTR/L (cont.): As your baby gets a little bit older and has more trunk support a lightweight umbrella stroller such as this one is a great option.
When you have to go longer distance, you want to look for a stroller that's very lightweight, ergonomic in design so that its tall enough
so you're not stooping over and also that when you hold the handles your wrists and fingers are in a very neutral position.
Debi Hinerfeld, OTR/L (cont.): Also when you're thinking about carrying a diaper bag it's important to consider the weight of the diaper bag what you're going to carry and how you're going to carry it.
A bag like this that goes over your shoulder may be very painful and stressful to your shoulder joints to hold.
An alternative to a diaper bag like this would be a back pack that would distribute the weight evenly over both shoulders and your back.
