3 Wrist-Saving Tips for New Moms in Redondo Beach

The Inevitable

During the first months with a new baby, many mothers develop wrist and thumb pain that can turn everyday tasks into a challenge. Be careful thinking everything is carpal tunnel syndrome, though it is possible that that is what you might be experiencing if pain is paired with parasthesia (numbness and tingling). After years of treating postpartum clients, as well as going through it myself twice, I have found that small, simple changes prevent most flare‑ups before they become chronic tendinitis.

Tip 1—Lift with a Neutral Wrist

When picking up or putting down your child, keep your wrist in a straight line with the forearm. (Easier said than done.) Having the wrist stay in neutral during this activity allows the tendons to work in their strongest position. If you are having a hard time picking him/her up with wrist neutral, consider positioning your entire body another way to allow this to happen to the wrists. Small positional tweaks make all the difference in the 24/7 repetitive motion of having to pick up your infant to feed, rock them to sleep, and put them back down.

Tip 2—Activity Modification to Save the Thumbs

In the early days, because the baby’s neck is not working yet, the activities are so thumb-heavy since we are trying to control and protect their heads/necks for them! With the extreme positions of the wrist and having to use our thumbs to help baby breastfeed or drink from a bottle and soothe to sleep, no wonder the thumbs get wrecked. When possible, prioritize when you have to use your thumbs, and allow them to rest when possible. This may look like using pillows to prop baby up during feeding so that you can rest your arm, wrist, and thumb for a minute. This may look like finding ways to soothe baby in a baby carrier to free up both hands.

Tip 3—Strengthen, Don’t Just Stretch

Balanced strength protects tendons more than stretching alone. An ever-growing baby puts new demands onto the arm, wrist, and hands that we may not have been ready for, and that is when the pain starts to set in. First, yes we need to rest the wrist and thumb (maybe with a custom brace) in order to decrease the pain, then stretch. But once that is manageable, take some time for yourself to use some light weights a few times a week to strengthen the wrist. I can help with coming up with a simple program if needed.

Call to schedule for a free screening or personalized program

Persistent soreness, swelling, or clicking deserves a professional check‑up. If discomfort lasts longer than a week, schedule a quick assessment at Reach Beyond Therapy so you can focus on your baby, not your pain.