Christine, you wrote:
< Do you have any thoughts to help cope with her back
pain (which is what the pain really is) while she continues to nurse her
infant?>
Here are a few thoughts that crossed my mind.
The back pain may be related to the weight of the breasts, or even the
pressure of the tight bra straps over the shoulders. But then again, it
may also be related to the hunched over position she may hold her
shoulders in during nursing, and even between, to lessen the effort of
standing up very straight while coping with the weight.
This reminds me somewhat of the office workers hunched over a keyboard
for hours. Regular, periodic shrugging exercises, rotating shoulders
forward for 10 times or so, then backward, may increase circulation to
the back and ease tension.
Another oldie from ancient times in childbirth education is the
"Heartburn lactation exercise". Actually can help sufferer burp (this
need can also masquerade as back ache or chest pain. One of my relatives
was a hiatal hernia sufferrer, and these sensations are common with them)
Also increases circulation to both the back and shoulder muscles and the
pectoral muscles underlying the breast, and relaxes back muscles as
above.
Also may comfort breasts as this massages them at the sides.
Here is how to do it:
1) Put palms together directly in front of chest, with elbows hugging
closely to ribs.
2) Continue to hug elbows inward as palms (still flat together) are
slowly raised as high as possible above head and held for 3-4 seconds
3) Suddenly and very vigorously, bend and lower the elbows and jerk them
backward as far and as hard as possible, 3 or 4 times.
4) Repeat this sequence 2-3 times or more till tension is gone from back
muscles and/or mom has burped (sometimes happens).
An oldie, but sometimes still a goodie, for several types of discomfort.
Jean
------------------------------------
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio
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