Wrist Pain - aka New Mom Syndrome « Back to Group Discussions

[Mommel]

So, I've been having pain in my wrists near the base of my thumb and after thinking for a while that it was related to breastfeeding (i.e. holding my breast and helping with the latch, etc), I finally realized that it is from picking him up over and over. I googled it and read this NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/06/health/fitness-when-mothering-is-a-pain-in-the-wrist.html My wrists are especially sore in the mornings and I have to stretch the tendons out to get some relief.

Anyone else have this? I feel like I need to find a better way to pick him up so they are not as sore, but haven't been able to find any info on how to do this. Experienced moms?? Have you had this? What did you do about it?

[kitchensqueen]

I had carpal tunnel syndrome before I got pregnant and honestly the only things that makes my right wrist feel better sometimes are heat and wearing the brace. Wearing the brace doesn't usually work out though because I don't feel like I can hold him safely while it's on. And I can't just sit with a heating pad on my wrist all day, so from time to time I'll just run hot water over it for a few minutes out of the tap, and that helps. It actually works out to make it tolerable, since I have to wash my hands every time I change the baby's diaper or use the bathroom myself, or am getting ready to make food - so I'm washing my hands half a billion times a day anyway. I just use hotter water than I normally would. But now I've got killer dry skin on my hands. Sigh. 

I'd be interested in hearing any new tips and tricks for this too! 

[Mommel]

Originally Posted by kitchensqueen 

I'll just run hot water over it for a few minutes out of the tap, and that helps.

I'm going to try this!! Thanks!