Neck Pain While Breastfeeding??

By Amalie Malka Flamm on 7/17/2024

Hey new moms! Adjusting to a new baby is an amazingly multifaceted role that requires your constant attention, care, and resilience. From sleepless nights and colicky babies, trying to bring your baby into your life. It is exhausting and overwhelming. For any mom who is breastfeeding, it is another new skill to learn. Even if this is not your first child, each child is unique and each experience will be different.

Breastfeeding (nursing) positioning is extremely important as we discussed in the previous post and we are here to talk about one of the common difficulties that nursing moms tend to deal with while breastfeeding….and that is neck pain!!

The repeated posture of being hunched over, tensing your shoulder and neck muscles causes strain on to those muscles. The constant strain makes them tight, overworked, and movement may become restricted. The strain can cause burning, numbness, and tingling and can even cause headaches.

How can we relieve and prevent neck pain while breastfeeding?

1. Try sitting in a reclined position

Ensuring that your neck and shoulders are relaxed will prevent them from becoming tight and sore

2. Support yourself with pillows or a nursing pillow

Supporting yourself will also ensure that your neck is not straining. Think of your body as well as the baby’s!

3. Implement stretches

Check out my instagram post in IG PelvicHealthNJ to implement these stretches to your daily routine! These stretches will lengthen the common muscles that get cramped while hunching over your baby during breastfeeding.

4. Stay Hydrated and Nourished

Proper hydration and nutrition support overall muscle health and recovery. A dehydrated muscle is at a higher risk for cramping and pain than a well hydrated one.

5. Come check out our clinic!

We can teach you proper stretches, exercises, and manual work. We will look at you, and your unique story to give you the adequate support and education that every new mom should have!

To continue your education you can refer to this blog who also supports postpartum structural alignment.

https://www.kaizo-health.com/how-to-relieve-neck-pain-from-breastfeeding/

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