Can breastfeeding make you feel unwell?

The Complex Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Maternal Health
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a natural and beneficial way to nourish infants, but for many mothers, the experience can be fraught with challenges, particularly when they are feeling unwell. The question arises: can breastfeeding actually make a mother feel worse when she is sick?
Understanding the Impact of Illness on Breastfeeding
When a mother is ill, her body is already under stress, which can lead to feelings of fatigue, discomfort, and emotional strain. Conditions such as the common cold or flu typically do not pose a risk to the breastfeeding process itself. In fact, breastfeeding during such illnesses can be beneficial. The antibodies produced in response to the mother’s illness can be passed through breast milk, potentially providing the infant with some immunity against the illness.
However, the act of breastfeeding can also be physically demanding. Mothers may experience increased fatigue, especially if they are battling symptoms like fever, body aches, or nausea. This can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed, as the demands of caring for a newborn do not pause for illness. The emotional toll can be significant; mothers may feel guilty for not being able to fully engage with their baby or for needing to take breaks to rest.
Nutritional Considerations and Self-Care
Nutrition plays a crucial role in how a mother feels while breastfeeding. When unwell, it can be challenging to maintain a balanced diet, which is essential for both maternal recovery and milk production. Misinformation about dietary needs during breastfeeding can exacerbate this issue. For instance, some mothers may believe they need to drastically change their diet when sick, leading to unnecessary stress and potential nutritional deficiencies.
Experts recommend that mothers focus on hydration and consuming nutrient-rich foods to support their recovery. This not only aids in the healing process but also ensures that milk supply remains stable.
When to Pause Breastfeeding
While most illnesses do not require mothers to stop breastfeeding, there are exceptions. If a mother is experiencing severe symptoms or is prescribed certain medications that may affect her milk, it might be necessary to pause breastfeeding temporarily. Consulting with a healthcare provider can provide clarity on when it is safe to continue feeding.
Emotional and Mental Health Considerations
The emotional impact of breastfeeding while sick cannot be overlooked. Many mothers experience anxiety or depression related to their breastfeeding journey, particularly when compounded by illness. The pressure to maintain breastfeeding can lead to feelings of inadequacy, especially if the mother feels she is not performing at her best due to her health.
Support from partners, family, and healthcare professionals is vital during these times. Encouragement and understanding can help alleviate some of the emotional burdens mothers face, allowing them to focus on their recovery and their baby’s needs.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding during illness is generally safe and can even provide benefits to the infant, it can also be a source of stress and discomfort for the mother. Balancing self-care, nutrition, and emotional well-being is crucial for mothers navigating this challenging time. Ultimately, each mother’s experience is unique, and seeking support and guidance can make a significant difference in managing both health and breastfeeding successfully.

Why does my body feel weird when breastfeeding?

It’s due to a hormonal fluctuation of dopamine. For some women, it is momentary. For others, it is incapacitating, making it difficult to breastfeed. Dysfunctional Milk Ejection Reflex is a real condition.

What are hormonal symptoms while breastfeeding?

Oxytocin and prolactin
While breastfeeding, these hormones promoted feelings of contentment, peace, and intimacy. As these hormone levels drop, some individuals experience complex physical and emotional symptoms including moodiness, sadness, or insomnia.

Why am I feeling sick when breastfeeding?

Nausea that occurs with the milk let-down may be related to the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone that causes the milk ejection reflex (MER or let-down), and it also helps make digestion more efficient and is associated with other gut hormones that can cause nausea.

How long does postpartum fatigue last?

The answer is different for everyone. Postpartum fatigue is most common in the first few days after childbirth, but it can stick around for months or even years.

What are the side effects of breastfeeding hormones?

Breastfeeding and hormonal changes
Decreased estrogen levels impact vaginal tissue, temporarily decreasing elasticity, blood flow, and thinning of the tissue. These vaginal changes cause symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, irritation, painful intercourse, urinary frequency, and urgency.

Why does breastfeeding make me feel ill?

Mastitis. Mastitis (inflammation in the breast) happens when a blocked duct is not relieved. It makes the breast feel painful and inflamed, and can make you feel very unwell with flu-like symptoms. If you do not deal with the early signs of mastitis, it can turn into an infection and you’ll need to take antibiotics.

How does breastfeeding affect a woman’s body?

Benefits for the Mother
Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that, compared with women who did not breastfeed, lactating women reported seeking for medical care less often, a lower frequency of respiratory, cardiocirculatory and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as fewer symptoms related to emotional problems.

Does breastfeeding make you tired and weak?

Oxytocin, also known as “the love hormone,” packs a powerful punch that, while supporting healthy breastfeeding/chestfeeding, has one potentially dangerous side-effect: it can make people tired.

Can breastfeeding hormones make you feel sick?

Milk ejection can be associated with different sensations that vary dramatically between women. These may be localised to the breast such as a ‘drawing’ pain or tingling, to more systemic sensations such as nausea, thirst, fainting or even mental anxiety and depression8.

Can breastfeeding make you feel like you have the flu?

What are some symptoms of mastitis? You might have a red, sore area on your breast. Sometimes it feels like getting the flu. You might feel hot and cold with a fever, and have general body aches.