Mommy Thumb: Why Your Wrist Hurts After Carrying Your Baby
You lift your little one out of the crib + feel a sharp pain on the thumb side of your wrist. It shows up again at the change table, again at the next feed, + before long, twisting a jar lid hurts too.
That pain has a name: mommy thumb [also called mommy wrist, or de Quervain's tenosynovitis]. It's irritation of 2 tendons that run along the thumb side of your wrist + it's strongly linked to the year after having a baby. The way you lift + hold your little one puts load right on those tendons, so changing how you pick up + feed can help take some of that load off.
What Is Mommy Thumb?
2 tendons that move your thumb [the abductor pollicis longus + extensor pollicis brevis] share a narrow tunnel on the thumb side of your wrist. Every time you grip, pinch or lift with your thumb stretched out, they slide back + forth through it.
When that tunnel gets irritated, the lining of the tendons thickens + they stop gliding smoothly. That's where the pain comes from. Despite the "-itis" in the medical name, tissue studies show a thickened sheath rather than classic inflammation + it looks the same in new parents as in anyone else who gets it.
Some people also have an extra wall inside the tunnel that splits the 2 tendons apart. It's one reason mommy thumb can behave differently from one person to the next.
Why New Parents Get It
A 2025 study of more than 350,000 new mothers found de Quervain's was diagnosed about 5 times more often in the year after giving birth than in women who hadn't been pregnant.
Look at how you pick up a baby + it starts to make sense. Hands go under the arms, thumbs stretched out in an L shape, wrists bent + then you lift. You do that dozens of times a day, plus feeds where your hand holds your little one's head with the wrist bent back for long stretches.
Mommy thumb isn't only a mom thing, either. Partners, grandparents + nannies get it too [there's even a name for it in dads: "daddy wrist"], which points to the lifting + holding as a big part of the cause. How often you pick your little one up seems to matter more than how heavy they are + first-time parents are more likely to get it, which makes sense when your hands are still learning a brand-new job.
Hormones + pregnancy swelling often get the blame. They may play a part, but the research points more to the physical demands of baby care.
Signs It Might Be Mommy Thumb
Pain + tenderness on the thumb side of your wrist, near the base of the thumb
Swelling over that same spot
Pain that gets worse when you lift your little one, grip, pinch or twist [jar lids, wringing out a cloth, doing up car seat buckles]
Pain that spreads into your thumb or up your forearm
It can show up in 1 wrist or both, since both hands are doing the lifting
One check your practitioner may use: tuck your thumb into your fist, then gently bend your wrist toward your pinky. Pain on the thumb side of the wrist can be a sign of mommy thumb, but this move can hurt in healthy wrists too, so on its own it doesn't confirm anything.
That's why an assessment looks at the bigger picture: where it's tender, which movements bring it on + what else could be going on.
Mommy Thumb or Carpal Tunnel?
Both are common in pregnancy + after birth, + both get lumped together as "wrist pain." They're different problems in different parts of the wrist.
| Category | Mommy thumbDe Quervain's tenosynovitis | Carpal tunnel |
|---|---|---|
| Where you feel it | Thumb side of the wrist, near the base of the thumb | Palm side of the wrist, into the thumb, index + middle fingers |
| What it feels like | Pain + tenderness, worse with thumb + wrist movement | Numbness, tingling or pins + needles |
| When it's worse | When you lift, grip or twist | Often at night, or waking up with numb hands |
| What's involved | 2 thumb tendons | A nerve squeezed at the front of the wrist |
You can have both at once. If numbness or tingling is part of the picture, mention it during your assessment.
How to Lift + Feed Your Little One With Less Strain on Your Thumb
Of course you're going to keep picking up your little one! You can change how you do it, so the small thumb tendons aren't doing work your forearms + body could share.
Scoop instead of pinching under the arms: slide 1 hand under your little one's bottom + the other under their head + neck, palms up, then bring them in close to your chest before you straighten up. Your forearms take the weight instead of your thumbs.
Keep your thumb beside your fingers: think mitten, not L shape. A thumb that stays close to your hand is under a lot less stretch than one spread wide.
Bring baby up to you for feeds: a nursing pillow or a rolled blanket under your little one means your hand isn't holding their head up for the whole feed + resting your forearm on the pillow or an armrest takes more strain off. Switching holds from feed to feed spreads the load around. For bottle feeds, swap hands partway through + hold the bottle with your whole hand rather than a thumb-and-finger pinch.
Car seats + carriers: a car seat dangling from a bent wrist is a lot of load in the worst position. Carry it close to your body in the crook of your elbow, use both hands, or click it into the stroller base when you can. A well-fitted carrier can also mean fewer lifts over the day.
None of this needs to be perfect. Every lift you move from your thumb to your forearms is a lift those tendons don't have to handle.
What Can Help Mommy Thumb
There isn't one single fix, but a few things can help.
Changing how you use your hand comes first. Hand therapists + surgeons agree it belongs in every treatment plan for mommy thumb + for new parents that means the lifting + feeding changes above, fitted to your body + your routine.
A thumb splint holds your thumb + wrist still so the tendons can settle. Wearing it when it helps can be enough, which is handy when you're changing diapers + your physio or chiropractor can help you work out when it's worth putting on.
Physiotherapy + Chiropractic care can both bring it together: an assessment, hands-on care, advice on splinting + positioning, then gradual strengthening once things calm down.
There are medical options too. A steroid injection, often paired with a splint, is given by a physician + surgery is usually only considered after other options have been tried. If you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medication or injection.
When to Get It Looked At
It's worth booking an assessment if:
The pain isn't settling, even after you've changed how you lift + feed
It's waking you up at night
You notice numbness or tingling in your fingers
It's getting in the way of caring for your little one
See your doctor promptly if your wrist is red, hot + swollen, if you have a fever, or if the pain started after a fall onto your hand.
How Twh Can Help
Mamas + babes are a big part of who we see at Twh, + so are the aches that come with caring for a new baby. Our Physiotherapists + Chiropractors can both help with mommy thumb. At your appointment, we'll look at your wrist + thumb, watch how you lift, carry + feed, then build a plan around your routine [not the other way around]. You're welcome to bring your little one along.
If the rest of your body is feeling the postpartum stretch too, Pelvic Floor Physio + Postnatal Pilates are all under one roof, + we direct bill to most insurance providers.
FAQ
Does Mommy Thumb Go Away on Its Own?
It can settle over time for some people, especially as lifting + feeding change, but everyone's different + there's no reliable way to predict it. If it's hurting now, changing how you lift + getting it assessed means you're not waiting it out in pain.
Can You Get Mommy Thumb While Pregnant?
Yes, it can start during pregnancy as well as after birth. If you notice pain on the thumb side of your wrist while you're pregnant, mention it to your physio or chiropractor, since care is adapted to your stage of pregnancy.
Is It Okay to Keep Breastfeeding With Mommy Thumb?
Mommy thumb on its own isn't a reason to stop breastfeeding. Positioning changes that take weight off your hand can make feeds more comfortable. If you're thinking about pain medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Do I Need a Doctor's Referral for Mommy Thumb Care?
No! In Ontario you can book Physiotherapy or Chiropractic care directly. Some extended health plans ask for a referral before they'll reimburse, so it's worth checking yours.
When You're Ready
If your wrist is making the everyday lifting harder than it needs to be, you don't have to push through it. Book online, or reach out + we'll help you figure out where to start.