How to: Pick Up a Baby Out of A Crib Without Hurting Your Back

TLDR:

Put one foot up on a step stool to give yourself a wider, more supported base.
Notice how my body is at an angle to the crib to give myself a little more room to maneuver.
Rather than dropping down, picture an imaginary arrow going “up and over” in the direction of your baby. This will allow your spine to lengthen and be less crunched.
Think “heels on the ground.” This reverses a common pattern of raising the heels and tensing the shoulders. Again, stabilizing your base lets you take and carry weight more efficiently.
As much as possible, think moment-to-moment. If you are going to pick your baby up because they are crying, you may feel your body react and your heart beat faster. Just take the time to notice your reactions and see if attention to releasing these tensions also changes your emotional reaction to the situation.

And if you haven’t guessed, my favorite all-purpose baby product is a step stool!

Use it to:

Put one foot up on to give yourself a wider base when you need to bend low, as demonstrated in the video for use at the crib or at the changing table.
Put one foot up as a variation on the lunge while in labor.
Boost your feet if you are sitting on a deep couch or chair, especially if you are holding or nursing your baby!
Repurpose for kiddo’s use when they are old enough to: brush teeth, wash, hands, use the potty.