Sore wrists, caused by breastfeeding?

[troodiedoo]

I'm 7 weeks in. Breastfeeding. My wrists and forearms feel like they are on fire. It's particularly bad in the mornings. I mentioned it at 6 weeks check, doc wasn't very concerned and said to come back if it doesn't get better in a few weeks.

Searching online I've found a few people had the same and said it's caused by hormones.

I guess I'm asking is there any magic cure other than ibuprofen and time?

[lavei]

I thought you weren't suppose to have ibuprofen when breastfeeding?

[troodiedoo]

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2461.aspx?CategoryID=54

[lavei]

Well the more you know!

[Neverknowing]

I think it's aspirin you're not meant to have.
Also that sounds horrible, I had some weird things happen when I was breastfeeding but went away by 12 weeks. Hopefully it'll be the same for you!!

[troodiedoo]

Thanks Neverknowing I'm hoping it'll get easier all round after 12 weeks

[Newbietwo]

I have joint pain which the doctor and my physio have said it's probably caused by my hypermobile joints and breastfeeding relaxing then even further. A bit different to you though as mine got bad at 4 months pp, and I'm now 9 months pp. I hope yours clears up soon, I've found baths help it and warm/ cool packs too. Also I am doing postnatal Pilates to help strengthen around be joint.

[troodiedoo]

Thanks Newbietwo yes I have found cool packs help. I've also been drinking large amounts of water and seems to be an improvement.

[glitterglitters]

You've probably still got a few additional hormones. Often pregnancy can cause carpal tunnel and when you bf your body continues to produce relaxin (sp?) causing your joints to pop etc. Also general holds and holding a baby can bring up all sorts of aches and pains from using normally unused muscles too xxx

[Wonderflonium]

I had similar (4 months in), so I started taking my pre-natal vitamins again and things are getting better.

[silkpyjamasallday]

I had similar when dd was cluster feeding, what position are you feeding in? Have you tried putting a pillow on your lap to support the baby so your arms and wrists aren't taking all the weight?

[BertrandRussell]

I had very sore wrists when mine were little- they were cause by picking the babies up constantly. It was a sort of RSI. I cured it by taking their weight by picking them up by the front of their babygros then sliding the other hand underneath.

Be careful not to do it if the babygro fastens down the back, though!

[Eminybob]

I had horrendous wrist pain that started while I was pregnant and continued while I was breast feeding. No doc could diagnose it, I went to physio and that didn't help at all.
Then eventually I saw a locum doctor who diagnosed it as de guervains tenosinivitis (so?) and prescribed a 2 week course of ibuprofen, which pretty much cured it. I think he did say that he would have prescribed a stonger anti inflammatory if I hadn't been breast feeding.

[Eminybob]

Sp? Not so

[troodiedoo]

Thanks all. I'm doing the cradle hold but have been experimenting with some hands free positions. I think they help but don't really feel natural. I guess it takes practice.

With dd1 I found laying on the bed most comfortable. But now have a memory foam mattress which makes her roll down towards me in an amusing fashion.

[Piffpaffpoff]

I had carpal tunnel after both babies, I got wrist splints from the chemist which really helped. Things settled down after about 9 months. Hope you get some relief soon.

[ReedBunting]

De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Also known as "mummy thumb". Tis awfully painful!

[troodiedoo]

It really is agony! Much wincing

[BertrandRussell]

Please don't let my picking them up by the front of the babygro tip get buried. It worked wonders for me.......

[NotCitrus]

I had this (turned out I have hypermobility) and what helped was using a my Breast Friend cushion which straps round your waist, to take most of the baby's weight. Or 'mummy shelf'!

Also I always had a blanket under the baby, so I could slide them around by pulling a corner, or pick them up by just picking up all the corners. Handy for leakage/possetting incidents, too...

[troodiedoo]

BertrandRussell I'll give it a try!

And the my breast friend. I have a cheapo one but I'm too fat for it