Does breastfeeding cause drowsiness?

The Connection Between Breastfeeding and Drowsiness
Breastfeeding is a natural and essential part of nurturing a newborn, but many mothers report feeling drowsy during or after nursing sessions. This phenomenon raises an interesting question: does breastfeeding actually cause drowsiness?
Hormonal Influence
One of the primary reasons breastfeeding can lead to drowsiness is the release of the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is responsible for milk production, but it also has a sedative effect. When a mother breastfeeds, prolactin levels increase, which can induce feelings of relaxation and sleepiness in both the mother and the baby. This hormonal response is a natural part of the breastfeeding process, designed to promote bonding and ensure that the baby receives the nourishment it needs.
The Baby’s Response
It’s not just mothers who experience drowsiness during breastfeeding; babies often do as well. The act of breastfeeding can be soothing for infants, leading them to fall asleep at the breast. This is particularly common in the early months when babies are still adjusting to life outside the womb. The rhythmic suckling and the warmth of the mother’s body create a comforting environment that encourages sleep.
Maternal Fatigue
For many mothers, the fatigue associated with breastfeeding is compounded by the demands of caring for a newborn. The physical and emotional toll of sleepless nights and constant feedings can lead to significant tiredness. As mothers produce milk, their bodies expend energy, which can contribute to feelings of exhaustion. This fatigue is often exacerbated by the lack of sleep that comes with having a newborn, making it challenging for mothers to stay alert during nursing sessions.
Coping Strategies
To combat the drowsiness that can accompany breastfeeding, experts suggest several strategies. Ensuring adequate rest, maintaining proper nutrition, and staying hydrated are crucial for mothers to sustain their energy levels. Additionally, creating a comfortable and supportive breastfeeding environment can help mothers feel more relaxed and less fatigued.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding can indeed cause drowsiness due to the release of prolactin and the soothing nature of the activity for both mother and baby. While this drowsiness is a natural response, it is essential for mothers to manage their energy levels through self-care practices. Understanding this connection can help mothers navigate the challenges of breastfeeding while ensuring they take care of their own well-being.

Do breastfeeding hormones make you sleepy?

Research also shows that, overall, breastfeeding mothers get more sleep than mixed- and formula-feeding mothers. This is for a number of reasons, including the impact of natural hormones and chemicals released for baby and mother when breastfeeding at night.

How long does postpartum fatigue last?

At one month postpartum, just over a quarter still experienced symptoms of postpartum fatigue. And a full year or more after their baby’s birth, around 11 percent of mothers still reported being exhausted. There are many reasons you may be feeling wiped out in those first few days at home with your newborn.

How many hours should a breastfeeding mom sleep?

Like any other adult, a nursing mother should strive for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. She has to get adequate sleep in order to maintain her health and have the energy necessary to care for her child. She may benefit from short naps throughout the day to feel more rested.

Does breastfeeding take away your energy?

Breastfeeding especially burns up a lot of energy (kilojoules). Some of the energy will come from the fat you laid down in pregnancy. However, most women will need to eat extra snacks to meet their energy needs.

Does breastfeeding cause sleepiness?

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.

Why am I so tired postpartum?

Decreasing hormones, uterine cleansing, and loss of blood can all attribute to feeling exhausted. Taking care of the neonatal baby is important but most people forget that the mother also needs rest to recover from the exhaustive process of giving birth to an infant.

Does the act of breastfeeding make you tired?

As well as using a lot of energy, nursing also triggers the release of prolactin, the main hormone involved in milk production [3]. Prolactin can increase your body’s dopamine and oxytocin levels, which can also cause you to feel more relaxed and tired.

Why do breastfeeding moms get more sleep?

In a US study, exclusively breastfeeding women averaged 30 min more nocturnal sleep than women who used formula at night, but measures of sleep fragmentation did not differ [25]. Lactation hormones such as prolactin help mothers adapt to the stresses of caring for an infant, including broken sleep [13, 26, 27].

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.

How many hours of sleep does a breastfeeding mom need?

6 hours
This leads us to believe that shooting for 6 hours per night as a breastfeeding mom is a good goal. Some will do fine with a bit less, some will still feel like they didn’t get enough with more than 6.