Sore stiff finger joints while breastfeeding

[aviendha123]

I’m breastfeeding 6-8 times a day and my baby is 10 months old but relies on me for fluids as doesn’t like to drink water. I’ve had stiff fingers after giving birth but this seemed to worsen in the last 2-3 months that I can’t bend or straighten where they join to the palm of the hand (and then they suddenly pop up with enough force) as well as swollen painful joints of the knuckles (not necessarily the same ones I can’t straighten/bend). The stiffness improves as the day goes on but the pain does make me more guarded when doing everyday things.

I’m really worried it’s rheumatoid arthritis or some other inflammatory arthritis. Hopefully it’s all due to breastfeeding. Anyone else had the same and it went away after reducing/ stopping breastfeeding?

Yes I had it when bf and I had it subsequently when I had a lot of stress in my life. I think it happens to me when my body gets overstressed and overwhelmed. My skin swells so much that is can crack too. Drinking tonnes of water, moisturising it and really, really minding myself is the only thing that helps me with it. I do not have arthritis I have been tested for it a few times.

I just clicked on this as I have too! Also breastfeeding a similar age baby (almost 9 months).

That’s good to know. I don’t have swelling apart from where the joints are though- which makes me think it’s specifically the joints…