Feel like I'm getting carpal tunnel!

backinpgh

I have started having pain in my wrists, fingers, and forearms and I think it's from breastfeeding. Especially because I have larger breasts so I usually have to hold a boob in some way or another to keep it elevated or in her mouth. And even thoughI make use of several kinds of nursing pillows, I'm never in the perfect position. Does anyone else have this issue? Any recommendations for relief?

heather_09_15_07

Have you tried lying on your side? You should be able to adjust both of your positions so you don't have to do that.

VMRRN23

I had it at the end of my pg, and it resolved about two weeks after DS was born. I too have big boobs (34 H) and needed to hold them to help DS. I used the boppy pillow, had LO laying on his side on the pillow then latched him on with no problems. Try to make sure your arms are supported while holding your boob.  Just rest them at your side (like the arm rest of a chair) and see if you can hold that way while nursing.

I found it bothered my wrists more when I tried laying in bed, because then I had no support for my arm, I couldn't just let me boob fall and it would be in his mouth. I still had to hold it. 

jessmae10

I started having pain in my left wrist about a week after having DD and then about two weeks later my other wrist started hurting.  It turned out that I had what they call "mother's wrist", "blackberry wrist", etc...it is when the tendon that is right below the thumb in your wrist, gets swollen from overuse of the thumb.  It came from holding my breast while nursing and picking up DD with my thumbs extended.  I was told to wear a brace (which made it difficult to hold my new baby), take large doses of Ibuprofen (which I couldn't b/c I was nursing) and to ice it.  So I went with second option and saw an orthepeodic surgeon and had cortisone injections and it went away.  Not sure if your experiencing the same thing, but seeing a doctor to have it evaluated might be a good idea.  It's hard to rest your wrists when you need to carry a new baby.