Improve Neck Stiffness and Back Tension Caused by Breastfeeding Posture!
Breastfeeding is a precious time.
However, on the other hand, do you feel like your "neck is stiff as a board," "your back is tight like a plank," or "your head and shoulders feel heavy"?
In fact, these discomforts are very often caused by the breastfeeding posture itself.
After childbirth, joints and ligaments are easily loosened due to hormonal influences, and muscles are also prone to fatigue. It is no wonder that your neck and back are screaming for help if you continue to maintain a hunched-over posture many times every day in that physical state.
In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way:
Why breastfeeding posture leads to neck stiffness and back tension
Tips to reduce the burden that you can start today
Mindset to prevent discomfort from lingering
We will explain these clearly.
Why does breastfeeding make your neck and back feel painful?
While breastfeeding, many people unconsciously adopt these postures:
Sticking your neck forward as if peering at the baby
Keeping your back rounded for a long time
Supporting the baby only with your elbows and arms
This posture creates a state where you are constantly supporting your heavy head from your neck to your back.
A human head weighs about 4 to 6 kg. That is the weight of one bowling ball. If you keep supporting it while it is thrust forward, the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and back have no time to rest.
Furthermore, after childbirth,
lack of sleep
repeated holding and diaper changing
pelvic instability
overlap, and muscle recovery ability also decreases.
As a result, it can even spread to "neck stiffness," "back tension," "headaches," and "shortness of breath."
3 tips to reduce the burden during breastfeeding
1. Change your mindset to "lifting up" the baby
Instead of leaning forward yourself, the basic rule is to bring the baby up to your mouth using cushions or a nursing pillow.
Try to have the image of "bringing the baby to your chest" rather than "bringing your face to the baby."
2. Create a place to lean your back against
Use a sofa, wall, or backrest to create an environment where you can lightly lean your back.
Just having your back supported significantly reduces the strain on your neck.
3. Incorporate a "reset movement" after breastfeeding
Once you finish breastfeeding,
roll your shoulders backward to open up your chest
slowly tilt your neck from side to side
stretch your back
Even just doing this will significantly reset muscle tension.
It is important to make "breastfeeding + reset" a habit, rather than thinking of "breastfeeding = time to stiffen up."
Things to consider if it is still painful
Even after self-care, if
you cannot turn your neck
the tension in your back does not go away
you start experiencing headaches or dizziness
and these conditions persist, it is often the case that it is not just "fatigue," but rather
postural habits or a breakdown in skeletal balancein the background.
Especially after childbirth,
pelvic instability
changes in the curvature of the spine
shallow breathing
and other factors overlap, making it difficult to improve even if you only care for your neck and back.
Having the perspective that "neck pain does not mean the problem is only in the neck" is the shortcut to recovery.
Breastfeeding is a precious time for both mother and baby.
That is exactly why we should change it from something you "have to endure" to something that is "gentle on your body and sustainable."
Discomfort in the neck and back is also proof of your hard work. Before that hard work turns into pain, try listening to your posture and your body's needs just a little bit starting today.
Information About Our Clinic
"Grapefruit Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Osteopathic Clinic Shinsaibashi" is conveniently located a 5-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. We handle a wide range of concerns, including symptoms like lower back pain and stiff shoulders, postpartum care, beauty chiropractic such as bridal chiropractic, and sports chiropractic for activities like golf and running.
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[Address] Cypress SHINSAIBASHI 201, 3-6-1 Minamisemba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0081
Cypress SHINSAIBASHI 201
[Business Hours] 10:00 - 21:00 (Last reception 20:30 / Same-day reservations accepted)
[Closed] Irregular holidays