can bfing make your joints ache?

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DS is 16mo and still bf but now only at bedtime, and I intent to give up completely by the time he's 18mo. Since he was born I have had painful joints, first in my thumb/forefinger and wrists, then in my knees and now in my elbows, especially the right one. Picking up everyday objects like a glass of water hurts me. Most of the time I just get on with it, but on occasion it does stop me doing stuff, and I get a bit miserable/worried about it.

I saw the GP right at the start and she said its very normal, and its basically the pregnancy/birth hormones combined with repetitive strain, of lifting new baby, and doing movements that you haven't done before.

Also, I read somewhere or someone told me, that it can be up to 12/18months before all the hormones in your body get back to normal after giving birth, and that if you bfeed this can take a lot longer.

Does anyone know anything about this? I'm about to go back to GP as its getting pretty bad and this morning my hip hurts and am just generally stiff and achy all the time. Just wondered what information/experience is out there.

I had this, and was referred for physio. It took six months of twice weekly physio plus wearing wrist and elbow straps to get back to normal, so I wouldn't be surprised that you're still having it now without any treatment.

I'd see if you can get a referral to a physio.

My baby is 6 weeks old and I've been having achy joints, not just those related to holding baby. I thought it would still be hormones and brought it up at my (very rushed) post-natal check. The GP didn't say eitherway, I wonder if its worth going back to have it looked into. Ruth, did they say what caused it for you?

Oh, same thing, pregnancy hormones combined with RSI from holding/feeding DD - and also things like pushing the pram, which can put a strain on your joints.

Also, getting pains in places you wouldn't expect from those activities can be because of your body compensating - you start to move and hold yourself slightly differently because of pain in one part of your body, and eventually get pains in another, seemingly random part which has been trying to compensate for the change.

It was nasty, I remember crying out in pain trying to lift my baby, and being scares I'd drop her because my arms would suddenly go weak. But I noticed a difference after just a couple of physio sessions, so it's definitely worth getting help if you can.

That sounds really bad, poor you! Glad to hear it's getting better. Mine really isn't that painful, thankfully. I'll wait and see. Good to know its not completely unheard of.

Have had it really badly in my knees both times when breastfeeding, its relaxin according to the consultant who I was refered to. Physio didn't do much for me to relieve it. Went last time after I stopped feeding. I normally run 3 times a week but cannot even walk up stairs without gripping onto bannister (last baby I was forced to going up on hand and knees as so painful).

Thanks all seems pretty common. I'm not on hand and knees yet but have often worried I might drop DS and have had to give up on small tasks because they hurt so much.

I had hoped id be back into some kind of exercise routine by now but just feel so achy and sore I can't imagine swimming or running or cycling or all the other things I used to enjoy.

Let's hope things improve post bfing and visit to GP

I had similar pains in wrists and elbows and and when I spoke to my GP he recommended taking a vitamin d supplement or a whole breast feeding supplement like the pregnacare one. It seemed to help a little.

As I was reading through this thread Somersaults I was thinking 'vitamin D'

Nearly a year of BF DD has left me with a severe vit D deficiency. One of the symptoms can be aching bones - haven't had this myself but plenty of other nasty symptoms toenails falling off bleurgh and am on big doses of supplements now.

From what I've heard, it's fairly common when bf - just dont let it go as far as I did before getting help!

Just to say I have this too - especially in my hands, wrists and ankles. I've been told it's 'just a post-natal hormone thing', although one doctor did diagnose carpal tunnel and tendonitis as the cause of the hand pain.

Anyway, I take ibuprofen for the pain. It's usually enough to take the edge off, and safe to take while bfing. I have been told to expect the problem to continue until DD is fully weaned.

I ended up going back to gym but just did power walking to keep some level of fitness going, running and cycling was impossible. Good luck x