Positions please.......I ache

[ANGELMOTHER]

Had to go to physio with my neck as it's agony, can't do the lying down night feeds anymore unfortunately and as this little one insists on snacking I need some positions which are comfy.
Only I can manage at the mo is sitting with her on a pillow, not easy at 3am bleary eyed

[LIZS]

I used to do the night feeds sometimes semi-reclined on loads of pillows, including a v-pillow which I had used when dd was small. I'm surprised that you can still do it upright as I found that was harder on my neck as the babies grew.

hope you feel better soon,

[ANGELMOTHER]

Ok last night wasn't great, my neck is even worse. Tried lying down at the 2am feed without much success, tried a mix of reclining with loads of pillows at 5am feed. I fear this will make me give up b/feeding and I so wanted to go much longer.
Am determined to persist for now though so have rooted out my v shaped pillow as suggested LIZS and it is helping a lot with daytime feeds.
Night feeds are the most awkward, obviously I'd like to lose them altogether

[mears]

Hope you get some relief with your neck. Are you taking painkillers? You can have Brufen when breastfeeding - may help. Your neck will be sore whether breast or bottle feeding - keep that thought. Hope it improves soon.

[ANGELMOTHER]

Good point Mears, it will hurt regardless
I'm doing all I can (being an expert in neckpain) yes taking Ibuprofen although feel like I'm popping smarties and seeing physio again on Thursday, tiredness doesn't help I suppose. Worst thing is dd2's starting to look up whilst feeding and smiling but whilst she feeds I can't bend my neck to look at her..........aawwwww she thinks I'm ignoring her.

[mears]

What do you do with your arm when feeding lying down? I remember that I was uncomfortably if i tried to hold baby towards me with arm I was lying on so I had it tucked up under the pillow. Made sure the pillow filled in that space between neck and shoulder so that I didn't get a crick in it. Have you tried Ibuprofen gel instead of pills - that way you are targetting the exact spot by rubbing it in? You could also get a heat pack that you put in the microwave - they are filled with little pellets and are great for any aches and strains.

[mears]

Did a search and found exactly what I was looking for. These are brilliant for neck pain - they do whiff a bit mind you but worth it
here

[ANGELMOTHER]

Great idea Mears, I've been meaning to get a heat pack for ages. I suppose the time has come
She seems to be feeding a lot better now despite having her jabs today so maybe there will be some respite from constant snacking which will help too...............ooh I think things are getting better at last.

[tinyfeet]

Agree with Mears, neck will hurt no matter what position. I also had pain in my wrists, and pain in my back. I don't think this had anything to do with position, but merely from using different muscles whilst breastfeeding, and soreness from exhaustion, giving birth, etc. Also, last time, I was not in very good shape - had not exercised at all.

Mears, do you happen to know of brufen is the same as ibuprofen - or Advil? I've never heard whether it was safe to take these while breastfeeding.