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My wrist aches on the thumb side even when I pick up a cup, and I'm afraid to hold my baby

Asked by a member on Sep 8, 2026한국어

This question was asked in Korean and answered by Korean body care experts. Read the original or ask your own question on the Korean site.

Area
Thumb side of the right wrist
Started
Four months since giving birth

My baby is 4 months old, so I hold them all day. At some point, the thumb side of my wrist started aching even when I pick up a cup, so now I have to hold my water glass with both hands. I bend my wrist when I lift my baby, and that's when it hurts the most.

I'm afraid I might drop them, so these days I only hold them while sitting down. I can't avoid using my wrist altogether, but I'd like to know what other people do in this situation. I don't know whether I should wear a wrist brace or start by changing the way I lift my baby.

Comments on the question 2

  • Member · Sep 10, 2026

    When you're holding them, try not to bend your wrist and instead rest them in the crook of your elbow. That worked much better for me.

  • Member · Sep 11, 2026

    I remember holding a cup with both hands around that time. How many months along are you now?

Answers1

Jeon Eun-suk

Fascia and muscle care · Sep 8, 2026

The symptoms you describe are typical of wrist tenosynovitis (de Quervain’s syndrome), which commonly occurs during the postpartum period and while caring for a baby. It is likely caused by inflammation of the tendons that move the thumb and the sheaths surrounding them (tendon sheaths).
Other possible causes include carpal tunnel syndrome or
damage to the ligaments of the wrist joint, so please seek medical care to have it checked.

Combining posture correction with wearing a brace is very effective for relieving pain.

Try making these changes in your daily life~

Rather than supporting your baby using only the strength of your fingers and wrists, support the baby’s torso with your entire forearm, from elbow to wrist, to distribute the weight.

When lifting your baby, instead of holding them with your thumb spread wide, bring all five fingers together and lift with broad support from your whole palm; this is better for protecting the thumb tendons.

When lifting your baby, bring your body as close to the baby as possible, then use your lower- and upper-body strength and body weight rather than your wrists, as if rising together with your baby; this can reduce strain on your wrists.

Rather than a regular wristband-style brace, wear a “thumb-supporting wrist brace” that also wraps around and holds the thumb in place. This helps limit tendon movement and allows the inflammation to subside.

When holding your baby and while feeding, stack a nursing pillow or pillows high enough to support the baby so that your wrist does not directly bear the baby’s weight.