Uh-oh!

GrandBaby insists on stand-up soothing,
but your back refuses?

Like most great discoveries, one of my most critical findings was accidental, early in my Grandparenting career.

I had to figure out how to avoid stand-up strolls to sooth babies that wreak havoc on my lower back, and trick them into thinking I am holding them standing up!

When lower back pain is top of mind

With my colicky beloved in my arms instead of his sleep-deprived parents', I plopped down on my faithful physioball for a break, hoping to come up with a creative solution. I rolled around thinking what to do..

Then I realized something strange. Eureka! The baby quieted.
My temporary time-out turned out to be the solution!

I eventually realized that the weightless feeling + gentle rotations on the ball reproduced the weightlessness of actually standing and pacing (which I assume feels to baby like being back in the womb.)

Why Weightless Simulation is Important

I don’t know about you, but lower back strength is not one of mine.

If you Google ‘hip grandparents’ looking for the cool stuff we need to be 'hip', in the top 10 results you'll find stuff like 'hip pain from lifting grandchild’, or a video of hip abduction exercises for Grands with accompanying Google ads about hip replacements. Hmm…how flattering.

So, my revelation for tricking a cranky baby into feeling they are being walked has been invaluable.. I’ve developed it into a full-blown strategy.  Here are some of my favorite positions you can try with all kinds of bouncing, rocking, and rolling around, preferably to your favorite music!

Frontal Lullaby...
with gentle rolling

Heavy Hugging...
bounce fast for colic

Hanging...
elbows comfortably
hold the load

Tips for getting your own physioball strategy rolling

• Size-wize: Having your knees at 90 degree angle is important: Check the height charts to get the size you can roll around on and bounce comfortably, and after baby's back in the crib, to hang backwards in a huge stretch.   Ahh...
  
  
• Beware of the Brand! Cheap generic balls and even some of the sporty sounding name brands don’t last.( Shocker!)
  
  I have tried many and always go back to the original brand my physical therapist gave me: Theraband. I’ve had one of them for >10 years!  And the second one I had would probably still be here, but it had a fatal encounter with a space heater last winter.
  
  
• Where to buy? If balls and pumps are not available somewhere on your normal daily trek, here’s a link to them in my GrandGifting Amazon Store.
  
  
• How to hold the babies? . I find that each baby has their own favorite positions which you’ll discover by testing.  Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to add to the collection - Videos welcomed!
  
  
• Advanced moves: Once you’re comfortable on the ball you’ll be able to take two babies at a time, add a sibling, talk on the phone, etc. I've not mastered keyboard or hot coffee yet on the ball, but you may!  Please send me your how-to videos when you do. 
  
  
• Repairs: Hope not. I've not had long-term success with trying to glue holes. Buy the best balls and hopefully you won't need repairs.
  
  
• Availability at G!Kids house: While the balls will be helpful to you as GrandGear in your GrandHome, you can also give them as gifts to the kids so you’ll have them in your GrandBaby places!

Sweet dreams to all,

P.S.  Stay tuned for an alternative when ball is not available, involving perching on edge of a bathtub – not for wimps.

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