I’m not sure if it’s technically carpal tunnel or tendonitis, but I experience a mild tingling in my hands when I nurse.
How Does Breastfeeding Induce Carpal Tunnel?
Allegedly the constant bending, lifting, carrying and caring for baby, causes strain on a nerve in the hand.
On my journey, this sensation only happens when I’m actually nursing so I don’t believe it’s from how I position my hands, but could be from not properly hydrating my body.
Dehydration also allegedly causes internal swelling.
Nevertheless, this is what has worked for me...
Rest Hands
I prefer nursing while laying down, because it allows me to be hands-free.
Moments when I need to use my hands (like when picking her up, or trying to support my body while I stand up), I’ll force myself to use my strongest hand so that the other one can rest and recover.
Massage Hands
While gentle exercises like making a fist and rotating wrists are recommended, they seem to exacerbate my symptoms. So I prefer to massage my hands with black seed oil.
It has a strong medicinal smell, but it’s anti-inflammatory (amongst other benefits) and works at relaxing my nerves, muscles and joints.
For me, my carpal tunnel is not painful nor does it drastically disrupt my daily life. I experienced it with our other daughter and noticed it went away as she aged. I’m fully aware nursing puts pressure on my entire body, and I just try to find holistic and effective ways to support it.
Have you experienced carpal tunnel or tendonitis while nursing? Which treatments worked for you?
Until next time time...
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