My DD is demand fed, which is going great - the only thing is, I'm getting pains in my hands/wrists, mainly in the bit between my thumb and forefinger, and then going down from there to my wrist - I know its the way I hold DD and attach her while feeding. It started about 4 weeks ago, but generally being worse at night than during the day, and to start with would only be painful when feeding, and as the feed progressed, the pain would lessen. However, its becoming more of an issue, and the area is hurting when i'm doing other things now. I've been to the docs this week and he reackons its 'tenosonovitis" (i think thats it, but can't read the docs writing ) He's recommened physio, which I'll organise, but if it gets much worse, I may need ultrasound treatment and a cortisol injection, and if that doesn't help he has said that it may mean giving up bf, as i may end up doing permanent damage! which i really don't want and he understands that.
Anyway, does anyone have any advice? or has had the same experience? I am thinkng about seeing a lactation consultant to see if i can get some tips on a different way to attach.
It sounds like breastfeeding is going so well. I am sure that you can find a few variation that make it easier on your hands. I'm wondering how you do hold your baby to feed. I am wondering if it is the *cross cradle hold* where you hold your breast with the hand on the same side, and hold your baby, supporting him between the shoulder blades. This can be a great way to get a baby onto the breast, offering stability and some control in the early days, but can get a bit hard over the long haul. Most mothers feed their baby in the "cradle hold" - over time and history, that seems to be the easiest and most comfortable position in the long run. It can take a bit of practice, but definately worth mastering! When your baby is on well, in the cross cradle position, just let go of your breast, and slide your arm under baby's head. When your baby is firmly supported on your fore-arm, remove the hand from behind his shoulders, lean back and snuggle him in. This also gives you a free hand to feed *yourself*. Also, it is worth practicing feeding lying down.
An LC is a great investment. Are you a member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association yet? It's a great group. There you will see mothers holding their babies in lots of different ways
I have the same pain in my thumb and shoots down the inside of my wrist as if I have been prodded with a hot poker. The Osteopath I saw advised it was Tendonitis (sp) and the only way to relieve the pain was to rest my hands completely. Not going to happen at the time DS was 6wks old. I find first thing in the morning to be worse or late at night as I am not doing as much lifting or feeding and the tendon has time to cool down making it that bit stiffer.
I was more prone to getting the condition as I carried alot of fluid in my pregnancy and then once DS was born I went straight into bf. The problem I found was that I held my breast as otherwise DS wouldn't latch on properly and would keep my thumb very stiff and rigid putting pressure on my tendon. I had to teach myself to relax when bf as I was concentrating so intently on bf that I wouldn't relax my hand. I found laying DS on a pillow at the right height and releasing my breast once he was latched on I was able to relax my hand.
For other reasons and nothing to do with my wrists DS is now on formula, but the pain is still there and raises it's ugly head when I least expect it and the pain is excruciating. I also find the bone on the inside of my wrist is sometimes very sore to touch. I use the tight pressure bandages on the bad days so that I don't move my thumb as far back to relieve some of the pressure. Some days are better than others and depends on how much I have held DS, how much housework or how much cooking (chopping) I have done.
Sorry I have rambled on a bit but just wanted to let you know you are not on your own and if you find something that works then please let me know.
Hansie
I found the ultrasound treatment from the physio very helpful with this problem.
So was feeding lying down, and sometimes expressing so that someone else could do the feeding. Ibuprofen is safe to use while breastfeeding, and helped with the swelling and pain.
It has become easier in the last couple of months as bub is less floppy and easier to handle.
I lie him partly across my lap, almost like he is sitting beside me - that way my arms don't take any weight.
If you are in Victoria, write to the arthritis foundation for a copy of "juggling sore joints and babies" - heaps of useful tips.
Stopping feeding won't help you that much - you still have a lot of baby handling to do. The huge help is that in the next month or so you shouldn't have to support her head anywhere near as much, and the strain on your wrists decreases lots - I have much less wrist pain from my 6.5 kg 4 month old compared to when he was a 3kg newbie.
I had similar wrist pain a few months ago. It got so bad a couldn't hold anything with my hand. I used a wrist brace and also used a 'my breastfriend' feeding pillow to give my wrist a break while I was feeding. It healed on its on (took about 2 months from memory), but I had to be very mindful to rest it where I could.
problem with wrists/hands
) He's recommened physio, which I'll organise, but if it gets much worse, I may need ultrasound treatment and a cortisol injection, and if that doesn't help he has said that it may mean giving up bf, as i may end up doing permanent damage! which i really don't want and he understands that.
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