Can breastfeeding make you unwell?

The Complex Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Maternal Health
Breastfeeding is widely celebrated for its numerous benefits, both for infants and mothers. While the advantages of breastfeeding, such as promoting bonding and providing essential nutrients, are well-documented, there is a growing interest in understanding the potential downsides for mothers. Can breastfeeding make a woman unwell? Let’s explore this nuanced topic.
Physical Strain and Nutritional Deficiencies
One of the primary concerns regarding breastfeeding is the physical toll it can take on a mother’s body. Lactation demands significant energy and nutrients. Studies have shown that breastfeeding mothers may experience fatigue, especially in the early weeks postpartum. The energy required to produce milk can lead to nutritional deficiencies, particularly if a mother does not maintain a balanced diet.
Certain vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, and vitamin D, are essential for both maternal health and milk production. If a mother lacks these nutrients, she may experience health issues such as anemia, weakened bones, or compromised immune function. Therefore, it’s crucial for breastfeeding mothers to monitor their diet and consider supplements if necessary.
Psychological Impacts
Breastfeeding can also have psychological implications. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant concern for many new mothers, and some research suggests that breastfeeding can both alleviate and contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. For some women, the pressure to breastfeed successfully can lead to increased stress and feelings of inadequacy if challenges arise, such as difficulties with latching or milk supply.
Conversely, breastfeeding releases hormones like oxytocin, which can promote feelings of well-being and bonding. This duality highlights that while breastfeeding can be beneficial for mental health, it can also exacerbate existing emotional struggles for some women.
Infections and Health Risks
Another critical aspect to consider is the risk of infections. While breastfeeding is generally protective against infections for infants, mothers are not immune to health issues that can arise during breastfeeding. Conditions such as mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue, can develop, leading to pain, swelling, and flu-like symptoms. This condition can occur when milk is not adequately drained from the breast, resulting in blocked ducts.
Additionally, some women may experience skin irritations or allergic reactions related to breastfeeding. Conditions like eczema or dermatitis can flare up during lactation, causing discomfort and distress.
Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective
In conclusion, while breastfeeding is an incredibly beneficial practice that fosters infant health and development, it is not without its challenges and potential downsides for mothers. Physical strain, nutritional deficiencies, psychological impacts, and the risk of infections are all factors that can contribute to a mother’s feeling unwell during the breastfeeding journey.
It is essential for healthcare providers to support breastfeeding mothers by offering guidance on nutrition, mental health resources, and addressing any physical concerns that may arise. Ultimately, each mother’s experience is unique, and understanding the complexities of breastfeeding can empower women to make informed choices that prioritize their health as well as their baby’s.

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 unwell?

Mastitis (inflammation of the breast) happens when a blocked milk duct is not relieved. It makes the breast feel hot and painful, and can make you feel very unwell with flu-like symptoms.

Why do I feel sick every time I breastfeed?

nausea that occurs with let-down during breastfeeding (this happens because oxytocin, the hormone that causes your milk ejection reflex, is also associated with digestion and other gut hormones that cause nausea)

What are the negative effects of breastfeeding?

5 Side Effects of Breastfeeding

• Back Pain: Think about it—you’re hunched over your baby, in an awkward position.
• Bruising: Yep, your little tike can cause some big bruises on your breasts.
• Carpal Tunnel: Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a problem for pregnant women, but it can also be a problem post-birth.

Is breastfeeding hard on your body?

I’m talking wrist pain, back pain, rib pain, numbness, neck pain, tingling, tight muscles, feeling weak, breathing changes… All these changes to the musculoskeletal system and associated senorimotor cortext of the brain can start during a woman’s breastfeeding career.

Can breastfeeding deplete you?

If you have chosen to breastfeed then you might be at a higher risk for postnatal depletion. This is because a breastfeeding woman’s daily nutrient requirement is at an even higher level than it is during pregnancy. Unfortunately, this daily requirement is pretty hard to meet without supplements.

Can you get flu-like symptoms while breastfeeding?

The symptoms of mastitis can come on very suddenly. You may feel like you’re getting the flu before you feel any discomfort in your breast. When you feel that pain or see the telltale redness, call your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can diagnose mastitis based on a physical exam.

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.

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.

Can breastfeeding cause fever and chills?

Symptoms of plugged ducts, mastitis
Mastitis symptoms appear rapidly and include flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue and body aches. The pain typically is more intense than a plugged duct, and the person also may notice red streaking on the breasts.