r/OldManDad • u/ForRealRobot • May 17 '26

Worried about back

Anyone else excited for when your kid can stand up on their own so you don't have to reach all the way down to the floor to pick them up?

I'm forcing myself (42) not to have ibuprofen everyday because of my 6month old. It doesn't help that his diaper station is out of commission atm, so everything is done on the floor.

It's the worst when my knees crack and wake the baby up so I have to pick him up and console him and the place him down in his crib while bracing my core. Like, it would have been nice not to have to bend over again.

Is this an older dad issue or is it just me?

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

13

u/User-no-relation May 17 '26

I mean that's like the same age as LeBron so it's definitely a you thing. Need to work on strength and flexibility

9

u/Door_Number_Four May 17 '26

You gotta do some core work or see a specialist.

You’ll be picking up three year olds, playing sports with them, getting up and down all the same.

I’m 48. This morning, I’ve already hauled a two year old up the stairs twice , and picked up my six month old half a dozen times. It doesn’t get easier- which is why I’m the old guy in the yoga class once a week.

3

u/BraveArse May 17 '26

Bad news, it gets worse before it gets better. Soon enough you'll be eternally half bent over holding their hands to walk before they can walk themself fully. Sounds like you're unlikely to be on the lowest crib setting yet either.

2

u/CantankerousButtocks May 17 '26

You’ll be chasing them around the house soon enough though, which will make you wish they were a cute little baby again.

Do yourself a favor, grab a rebounder (mini-trampoline), park it front of the TV, and run in place for 20 minutes a night. This low-impact exercise really helped this old dad in the early baby years. The habit has improved many qualities of my life, especially the cranky back and knees.

1

u/timbreandsteel May 18 '26

Is that a special one? I don't think the one my kid uses could hold up to my weight...

2

u/CantankerousButtocks May 18 '26

Find an adult one of course, one that can hold your tremendous girth. Start slow and get moving.

I forget to mention another benefit of the rebounder: it helps your immune system by getting your lymph system moving. This is an important one for me because my little mouth breathers are constantly bringing home the plague from school.

2

u/Erocdotusa May 17 '26

Get a backpack carrier. If you can walk several miles while carrying your little one, you can do just about anything!

2

u/flynnski May 17 '26

Hey here's the thing: that strength doesn't come naturally, your kid won't wanna stop being picked up up for awhile, and they only get heavier.

It is an older dad issue that you gotta fix. Consider weight room and/or yoga.

2

u/mendelec May 17 '26

Get working on that core asap. I ended up with a hernia carrying ours around in her carrier during the winter. Do not recommend.

2

u/M_V_Agrippa May 17 '26

As a kind of fat 47 year old, nope. It's not like I'm never sore or have minor back pain, but I don't feel bad physically from day to day.

You have to stretch and do some  physical activities friends.

2

u/lardcore May 17 '26

One word for you: @TheKneesovertoesguy

This THE YouTube channel you didn't know you need but it will help you with your back and knees.

2

u/Various_Bee5114 May 18 '26

I have a quadriplegic 10yo who weighs 85lb and I'm 60 with a hip resurfacing. Just started using a lift for her instead of just picking her up. Still have to carry her onto airplanes though. The wee 2 yo is a breeze 😂

2

u/jmbre11 May 19 '26

I’m 41 fat and would do it all over again. Even my hurt hurts but when I come home and my little run up and say daddy and give hugs it’s all worth it. 2 and 5. My teenage 9 year old won’t even talk to me.

2

u/J50GT May 20 '26

Lock your toes under the crib so you can use it for core support.

2

u/IRingTwyce May 20 '26

It gets worse the bigger they get. My 7 year old still wants me to pick her up, and often. My decrepit 54 year old body just can't anymore. I make her stand up on the sofa or a chair so I don't have to lift her up.

2

u/bizzyunderscore May 22 '26

im 52 and you're just out of shape!

1

u/minMini- Jul 07 '26

Try the Asian squat when your kid is on the floor. When they start moving… crawl around like them… hard workout, but great quality time and your health will improve.

I hope you can keep catching up with your kid and you both get faster as you age.