What to do if your arms hurt during breastfeeding

Women are relatively weak during the breastfeeding period because it has not been long since they gave birth and their bodies have not fully recovered, so they are very prone to fatigue and other reactions. Some women experience arm pain during breastfeeding, especially when they are holding their baby while feeding. So, what should women do if they have arm pain during breastfeeding?

For arm soreness caused by fatigue during confinement, pay attention to the use of Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, local massage and hot compress, or apply Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation plasters. Avoid irritating foods in normal times. Maintaining good exercise habits and doing some functional exercises can help relieve the symptoms. It may also be a symptom of compression caused by long-term fixed sleeping or feeding posture.

The correct breastfeeding postures are:

1. Sitting breastfeeding position. The mother sits down naturally with her feet on the ground. If the position of her legs is too low, she can put a low stool under her feet to avoid fatigue of the lower limb muscles. It is best for the mother to lean her back against the back of a chair or some supportive object. Place the baby on the mother's lap, and the mother holds the baby's head, neck and shoulders with one hand, so that the baby's body is closely attached to the mother's chest and abdomen. The mother uses her other hand to hold up her breast, with the thumb and index finger of the hand holding the breast separated into a C shape, and then gently puts the nipple into the baby's mouth.

2. Lying breastfeeding position. The mother lies on her side on the bed, supports the baby's head and neck with one hand, and uses the above method to help the baby suck. Some mothers, who have difficulty turning sideways during cesarean section, may feed their babies in the supine position. When feeding a baby in the supine position, the family needs to hold the baby to the mother's chest and help the baby suck on the nipple.

3. Embrace breastfeeding posture. The so-called cradle feeding is a feeding posture in which the baby is held on the side of the mother's body. This position can be adopted for twin fetuses or after cesarean section.