New granddaughter

[Taffia]

Any tips appreciated. Spent Christmas with new granddaughter and arm really painful after holding her. Really want to be able to cuddle/ nurse her so trying to find the least painful way. Any other grandmothers with Lympho in arm find a way to cope.

[Lynora]

I have many 'granny' clients, and some seem to have worked out a system using pillows. Baby is bought to them, and then a pillow is laid across their lap, and baby lays on it. Put your affected arm on a pillow which is resting on the arm of a chair - this can take the strain off the shoulder joint. You may disappear under a layer of fibre-fill, but it's one way to get close!

One lady, who does yoga, sits with her 'small person' resting on her crossed leg - hard to describe, but she sits on a sofa, with her left leg crossed over her right, with her left ankle resting on her right thigh (I did say it's hard to describe) - and the 'small person' nestles into the gap of the bent leg - she also jiggles the baby in this position - it's amazing to see!

[Taffia in reply to Lynora]

Thanks Lynora the pillow sounds like a good idea. Perhaps I should take up yoga but have the feeling she'd be grown up before I got that supple!!!

[Rebec]

I am a granny but my grandchildren are biggish and know not to touch or lean on my affected arm. I do a lot with my 'healthy' arm though. Can't you hold the baby using your lymphoedema free arm? The physical contact with your granddaughter is very important. Mine enjoys looking at photos of me holding her while sleeping. Lynora has great suggestions too. Maybe, if your normal arm is not very strong, you can do exercises to strengthen it as your granddaughter is going to put on weight. I'm sure that your family will help you find a position which will enable you to enjoy holding your granddaughter.

Another thought: maybe a sling over the affected arm, and Lynora, who is worth her weight in gold (she gave me a few helpful suggestions) can check if it's a good idea or not from lymphoedema point of view, will make your arm less painful if you need both arms to hold the baby.

[Taffia in reply to Rebec]

Thanks Rebec I did use my left arm a lot over Christmas( I'm very predominant right handed) but had a frozen shoulder on that side when I was first diagnosed so weary to put too much pressure on there.

[Rebec in reply to Taffia]

So if I understand correctly, your best arrangement is to hold the baby while sitting down, so that there is no pressure put on either arm. Soon, she will be able to enjoy other aspects of your love to her like your cooking, story telling, etc.