My wrists are hurting, particularly my left wrist. I think it’s carpal tunnel, and I think the cause is fatherhood.
It wasn’t long into my career in software (~1997) that I first experienced discomfort in my wrists on the job, but with basic wrist exercise it has always been manageable. OK, there was that one period of time while at IBM where I had to switch to using my left hand for the mouse, but otherwise it has always been management.
I’ve had a few days lately where my wrist pain is beyond just mild discomfort, and I notice I feel it as much holding W as when I’m typing.
W was born six weeks ago, and I’ve spent a lot of time bouncing and holding him tight to comfort him. Invariably this involves me folding forward my shoulders, wrapping my arms with my wrists fully bend in. Or I often have my hands under his arm pits and hold him upright gently bouncing — his favorite position. It’s easy to do this for a long time when you’re holding your child.
As well as my sore wrists, my elbows feel a little funny, and although fine now my shoulders have bothered me a few times.
Tiredness/fatigue also must play a part. My posture for work and other activities can’t be as good as it normally is.
I’d heard of mother’s having sore muscles at first as they use them in new ways and hold their babies for many hours, but I was surprised by my symptoms, though I shouldn’t have been. Still, I wish I had read about this or someone had told me.
Searching the web I found a lot of moms describing sore wrists, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome — my heart goes out to these ladies as both hormonal changes and holding the baby during breast feeding can contribute to serious injuries if not aware and careful.
So I’m sucking it up some as I don’t have it nearly as hard as those moms, but I can’t be the only male web worker that has experienced this?
I’ve been really conscious about it the last few days and things are feeling a little better, but it’s not like I can stop using my wrists, so it will likely be a long time before my wrists are in good shape again.
Sat Jun 7th Update: still in manage mode, but the tip to turn your palm away from the baby when possible is golden.
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11 Comments
That’s crazy Lloyd! Can’t say that I ever experienced this, but I’ve also never had a problem with carpal tunnel, at least that I’m aware of - and I assume I’d be aware of it if I did.
Hope you feel better soon and hopefully the ‘required bouncing time’ diminishes over time. I remember walking in circles around my kitchen singing kids songs to Liam when he was really young. Good times.
BTW - have you watched “The Happiest Baby on the Block”? Some good tips in there for sure.
You could look for a sling to put him in which will keep him close to you, or more practically, bring the buggy into the office and roll him over the doorstep in it. With practice you can get quite good at this with your foot!
My biggest ache right now is my right knee. It’s giving out because of carrying Adam around. After I went for a cycle the other evening it was fine so I have to get out on the bike more often!
Thanks guys!
Kevin, you would definitely be aware of it if you have experienced tendonitis or carpal!
I should have been more careful with my wrists. The challenge now that they are sensitive is it takes very little to aggrevate them.
We really enjoyed the “On the Block” book, and particularly the DVD. We’ve learned so much since then through experimentation, and I think I was a little too focused on soothing by applying “On the Block” when William with his high metabolism (like his Dad in his youth) was quickly ready for more food. It is hard to know what new behavior is because of growing and what is because of our caring, but he is a much more content little boy now.
Donncha, great tip on the buggy!
We do have a CuddlyWrap which has been very useful.
It feels like some opportunity for routine is on the horizon. We’ve gone for a couple of walks, and it looks good to do them regularly now. A bike ride also sounds wonderful!
Getting back into varied exercise should also help a lot. I can’t wait to go swimming with William, though it seems chlorine caution is necessary.
See if rotating your arm so that William’s butt is resting on the top of your arm rather than your wrist helps provide temporary relief from the pain. Also: http://daryl.learnhouston.com/2004/07/15/the-chicken-wing-and-the-modified-chicken-wing/
Daryl thanks! I’m adding the Chicken Wing to my repertoire.
Lloyd - I see you posted to Daryl’s site asking for photos. I had commented there the other day asking for photos too (brushing up on my holds for child number 2 due in August) but I guess my comment must have got marked as spam or something cause it never showed up. Oh well. I think I know what he was getting at, but photos would definitely help.
Hi, guys. I don’t think I have pictures of this anywhere, and I haven’t had to do it so much with my second child, but if I recall correctly, the move is basically a matter of making a fist and touching your sternum with the thumb side of it and your knuckles pointed up. If you were to look down at your hand, you’d be looking at the back/top of it. It just puts your arm in a little different position so that the painful underside of it isn’t bearing the load quite as much. Kevin, I’m just slow to mod comments; yours on my post is live now.
Daryl, I think I get it now with that tip and “baby’s bottom rests on the top side of the arm, and her chest and stomach rest on the shoulder. … and the move affords the baby an unobscured rear view and the freedom to crane her neck around.” Before I didn’t get how how the baby was held.
It seems William will soon grow out of this one. Thank goodness for swings!
Sorry to hear you are having this problem. As a photographer we have problems like this alot because of the heavy cameras that we lug around each weekend. They are really annoying and painful. I hope that it gets better for you.
The tip to turn my palm away from the baby when possible is golden.
I have raised 3 kids while being a complete geek. I have always had the achy wrists and shoulders. I thought it was part of looking at a computer all day. Glad to know that i have a really good way of saying it now. I use to just say my neck and wrists hurt. This is much better. Thanks.