Can you recommend bfing positions that will ease the pressure on my wrists and back please?

[UserNameAngst]

I've been bfing DS for 17 weeks now and I wondered if any of you had suggestions for new positions? I've always lain him across a pillow and supported his head with the opposite hand to breast, and the breast he is feeding from with that hand, iyswim. (I know supporting the breast is not necessary but I seem to have fallen into this bad habit). However, this seems to be causing damage to my wrists, probably because they are held in an unnatural position for long periods, and I get pain now both when scissoring my thumb and fingers to pick him up, and when doing things like tying my hair back or undoing the back of my bra.

I also have backache from leaning over him - it doesn't hurt during the day but when I wake up I get pain across the middle of my back.

I know this is all my own fault! I've been trying the cradle hold today but with him sat fairly high up, and that's more comfortable but he seems to find it harder to stay latched on. It's probably just that he needs to get used to the new position, but any suggestions of good positions, or other things I can do to ease the discomfort, would be very gratefully received!

have you trieed feeding him lying down?

when you do the cradle hold, make sure you let your breast fall naturally, then bring him to where the nipple is. that way he shouldn't have any trouble holding onto the nipple or staying latched on

I feed lying down every opportunity I can. DS lies on a pillow next to me and I lie on my side with the boob I'm feeding him from on the pillow. My arm nearest the bed is above the pillow and I pull him in towards me with my other hand. Both hands are free.

I also use a v pillow sometimes when I'm sitting up which supports his body and his head just rests on my hand. Be careful with those hands! You need to remedy it sooner rather than later. Well done bfing to 17 weeks!

My wrists and hands and neck were buggered before ds was born - I found a My Brest Friend cushion which straps round your waist to make a shelf was invaluable. Once ds was 4-5 months then he could sit up (with me holding him in place) and feed, which might work for you now. Never got the hang of feeding lying down, annoyingly.

Re your bad back from bending over him, remember to bring him to your breast, don't lean forward to move your breast towards him. I tended to do this and it hurts.

Second the feeding lying down advice - get pillows behind your back and between your knees for maximum comfort.

If you're sitting on a lowish chair, try raising one knee (the same one as the side you're feeding from) by putting the foot on a stool or pile of books - makes you sit upright (supported by lots of cushions again) and can help keep your baby in a comfy position for feeding.

PS and when you get him latched on and comfy, try stuffing more pillows/cushions under his head so you can let go with your hand.

And, of course, congratulations on getting to 17wks! It won't be long till he's sitting on your lap, tapping your boob to tell you he wants a feed...

Thanks for all this good advice! Notcitrus, I tried the sitting up technique today but he's too long/I'm too short-bodied I fear. Lastyears, that sounds brilliant, I can't wait for that! Thanks again.

I would also recommend feeding lying down - took me a while to get the hang of it, but definitely puts less strain on the back. And Lastyearsmodel's suggestion about stuffing more pillows under his head works well for me too, as does using a footstool. (I also have dodgy wrists - but it's patting DS to sleep which makes them worse, not feeding him!)

If your back's bothering you, think about the rest of the time you're bending / lifting with DS, not just when you're feeding. Try to bend your knees rather than your back, and consider getting a sling to carry him round in rather than doing it just in your arms - it will spread his weight better and reduce your backache.

Now I just need to take my own advice!

Just wanted to thank everyone who recommended feeding lying down. I was a bit resistant to this suggestion initially as it was wrapped up with co-sleeping in my mind which we didn't get on that well with. But feeding lying down has been brilliant, I'm a convert!

Great, UserNameAngst!

I know what you mean about the co-sleeping thing, but don't speak too soon - you never know what will happen.

My last attempt to sleep through night feeds was not very successful on the whole sleeping front and I said I wouldn't bother trying again, but I have just done my wrist in so lucky DS is back in my bed to save me lifting him in & out in the night.

Today's feeds and naps have been on a cot mattress on the living room floor!

I also fed mine by sort of sitting them up on my lap so I could actually lean back and sit up properly, there was also less weight to support as well with my hands/wrists.

I did have tall babies though so not sure if it would be possible for everyone must depend on a few factors of your boob height and baby height!

I loved feeding lying down for this reason.

I bought a 'brest friend' cushion second hand on Ebay. DD2 6 days old (CS) and it is fab - arms very painful due to oedema and she is cluster feeding for hours - cushion has made it bearable. New they are about £55, but second hand price varies. I rarely recommend purchases, but it may just help. Good luck!

How about trying a ring sling while feeding. It would hold some of his weight freeing your wrists. I've been getting some wrist aches now my 11 week DS is heavier and this helps me when it's bad. Sounds like lying down is working for you right now but for when you need to be out and about it can work.

try 'my breast friend' pillow

My wrists are almost constantly painful - not from holding DS on a bf pillow (I went hands-free quite early on, in order to get on the internet ) but from lowering him, sound asleep, into his cot after breastfeeding him to sleep. I hope yours improve and that you've got to the problem in time. Glad you're a convert to lying down - it's a life-saver.

I was going to say - try different pillows and see if you can free up both hands. I used a Widgey with DS and was able to have him plugged in while I MNed, etc, with both hands. The beanbag (Lapsac) types are good too, as they mould round the back of the head and may mean you don't have to support it yourself. Everyone's different, though!

I also sit dd (24 weeks) on my lap, facing me. It took some working out but it's working reasonably well so far. She's about average in terms of length and I'm 5'3" with moderate boobage atm (32dd) if that means anything.