Reducing Musculoskeletal Discomfort When Breastfeeding

Taking a step away from the workplace for this episode! To celebrate our HSE National Breastfeeding Week (1st – 7th October) I am highlighting the risks associated with breastfeeding that can cause musculoskeletal discomfort and what you can do to stay comfortable when feeding your baby. As a mother of 2 children, both of whom breastfed for just over 2 years, I am all too aware of the aches and pains associated with breastfeeding. From static postures, to awkward postures and repetitive rocking movements, I have been there.One of the main issues is that new mothers are usually so focused on the baby and making sure they have a good latch and are getting enough milk, especially in the early days, that they forget about themselves, and can contort themselves into the oddest postures for as long as baby stays latched. We ignore the aches and pains, putting them down to the demands of motherhood. These niggles, if left unaddressed, can worsen to become a source of chronic pain.This episode will highlight the risk factors associated with breastfeeding that can contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort development and what you can do to reduce the risk. The blog for this episode can be found on:https://boyneergonomics.ie/ergonomics-and-breastfeeding/As always, I can be found online and on social media:[email protected]: boyne_ergonomicsTwitter: niamh_pentonyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niamhpentony