Breastfeeding: Don't Let it be a Pain in the Back(side)

There are many advantages for both you and your baby to breastfeeding. I am personally very much in favour and breastfed all 3 of my babies. However, this is not the place to go into the pros and cons of bottle and breastfeeding; there are many sites that have detailed discussions on that to help you make informed decisions.   

However, I do notice that some women that breastfeed tend to complain of back pain. Now this does not have to be the case. I do sympathise, especially with those middle of the night feeds that all you want to do is feed the baby and put them back to bed. But if you do one extra thing every time you feed it can spare you a lot of pain in the future.

It is very common to pick up the baby, let the baby latch on and for you to be in a sitting position with your back titled towards one side with your baby resting on your lap whilst feeding. However if you place a pillow on your lap and the baby on top of the pillow then there is no need to bend down towards the baby as the baby is at the right height to feed from you. 

The next question you are probably wondering is, am I asking you to go out and buy those fancy feeding pillows that cost a lot of money. No I certainly am not. The breastfeeding pillows that look like 3/5 of a circle are very beneficial and if you have one I strongly encourage you to use it. That is because it gives a lot of extra support to your back as well as preventing you from leaning down. I also would recommending purchasing one of those pillows if you are prone to back ache or already suffering from back ache. 

If you do not suffer from back ache and this is merely preventative then any old pillow (or two if needed) will do the job of raising your baby higher up to you to prevent you leaning and twisting your back in positions that can cause pain. 

Another important thing to remember is to ensure that you are wearing a bra that fits your properly - not just when you are breastfeeding but at any stage of your life. This is another tip that can help prevent back pain.

If you suffer from antenatal or postnatal back pain and would like to book an appointment, please contact me on 0544485086 or by email to tamaramay.physio@gmail.com.  I can arrange to see you in Bishvilaych Women's Comprehensive Medical Centre in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem or a home visit if you live in Gush Etzion.