Shoulder aches

mysweetpeasWil&Wes wrote: I typically BF in a glider and I put a pillow behind me, but my shoulders are so sore. I wake up in so much pain that I have to take an Advil or something to relieve it. Wondering....does anyone know what I can do so that I have less soreness in my shoulders? I had a LC checkout my positioning in the hospital and she said it was great, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Is it my body still recovering from the c-section or my body getting used to BF again?? I've tried propping a pillow under the baby, but it feels too bulky for me. I guess it would be hard to tell without seeing me, but I'm so miserable somedays and it's making me cranky.

moped replied: I remember having shoulder pain for quite some time after the C.....I guess it could also have to do with BF, but I truly think the doc told me it was called referred pain from the c sec................it does hurt!!!!!!

MyLuvBugs replied: Have you tried to lay down to BF? Maybe that would relax your shoulders and upper back a little. Also, tell that sweet hubby of yours to massage your neck and shoulders.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I was so sore from BF'ing Ethan I thought I would die. I'm not kidding. I couldn't move my neck for weeks. It hurt so incredibly bad. I don't know if I was tense, postioned wrong or what, but after a few weeks it did get better. I just started lying down to feed him and that helped a lot.

I hope the pain eases up. I remember how hard those first few weeks were to adjust. Bless your heart. It will all get so much better.

amynicole21 replied: Are you using a Boppy? If not, I would suggest getting on ASAP. Also, make sure you are resting your feet on something like a stool or something. Otherwise, you may be hunching over without knowing it.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
I have a Boppy and tried it with Wil, but it never felt right. It always felt too bulky and in the way. My glider has an ottoman, so I rest my feet on that, but maybe a low stool would be better...?

Maybe my body just needs breaking in some!

amynicole21 replied: I always find that I need one knee up to get good positioning unless I'm usine a boppy, so the ottoman doesn't really cut it. Just make sure you aren't hunching over, and make sure that the arm rests aren't too high causing you to raise a shoulder. Your shoulders should be pretty relaxed. You'll break your body in sooner or later

MyLuvBugs replied: I have a boppy too, but like you Rae...I just couldn't get comfy with it. But I do agree that you're probably hunching and just don't realize it. Definately try some other positions and see if it helps.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
I bet that's it...the arm rests on the glider are a bit high! I don't think I'm hunching, but I sometimes prop an arm up on the arm rest and I can feel my shoulders raise up (rise up?) too much. I'm also one of those people who have always carried stress in my shoulders. I tense up there when I do just about anything. I used to have that problem at work, at my desk. So that's probably it. Urgh! DH gave me a massage last night, so I'm feeling a bit better.

holley79 replied: I remember that in the beginning. Everyone said my positioning was great but I learned (on my own) I was bringing breast to baby instead of baby to breast. Also a pillow (even though it felt bulky) was a serious life saver. I hope it gets better for you.

coasterqueen replied: I found the boppy to be a piece of crap, pardon my language. I loved the My Brest Friend pillow because it velcro'ed and didn't move around like the boppy did. I could also position it easier to help with aches and pains. Although with Kylie my body ached so bad from nursing, guess my body just needed to get stronger. I never felt an ache with Megan. Although I noticed when I started side-lying nursing a lot more that I had less pains.

ashtonsmama replied: Not sure.