Upper back and neck ache after four months of feeding hunched over. What helped?

My upper back and neck ache all day now. I know it's the feeding position, I catch myself curled over her like a question mark several times a day, plus carrying her on one hip while I do everything else. I go back to my research sessions soon, which means hours at a desk on top of this. What helped you? A pillow, a different chair, exercises, a physio? My mother's suggestion is a hot water bag and 'it'll pass'.

3 comments

  • mint_compass_2102

    My partner, who's a physician, told everyone who would listen: bring the baby up to you, don't bend down to the baby. Lots of cushions. Easier said than done at 3 am.

    • fern_pigeon_2098

      Cushions only help if they stay put. A firm feeding pillow did more for me than five sofa cushions that slid off every time. That was fourteen years ago, so the brands will have changed.

  • linen_spoon_7677

    A physio. Two sessions taught me how I was sitting and three stretches I could do while he napped. That was with my younger one, nine years ago, and I still do one of them at my desk. Your mother's hot water bag isn't wrong either, it just doesn't fix the reason ❤

  • apricot_river_7604

    Not my back, my partner's, when our son was small. The one-hip carrying turned out to be a bigger problem than the feeding. Switching sides on purpose and using a carrier for walks helped. Don't wait for it to pass. We waited and it took much longer.

    • saffron_parrot_680

      At my age the grandchildren are the cause of my back pain also. The 4 year old wants to be carried up two floors every afternoon. Changing sides helps me too. Good advice.

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