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

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,

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.