Does breastfeeding make you tired all the time?

The Fatigue of New Motherhood: Understanding Breastfeeding and Tiredness
For many new mothers, the joy of welcoming a newborn is often accompanied by an overwhelming sense of fatigue. While the demands of caring for a baby can be exhausting in themselves, breastfeeding can further contribute to this tiredness. But why does breastfeeding make mothers feel so fatigued?
Hormonal Influences on Energy Levels
Breastfeeding triggers the release of hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin, which is essential for milk production, is known to induce feelings of calm and relaxation. This hormone can lead to drowsiness, making it common for mothers to feel sleepy during or after nursing sessions. Oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” not only fosters a deep emotional bond between mother and child but also promotes relaxation, which can further enhance feelings of tiredness.
Physical Demands of Breastfeeding
The physical act of breastfeeding is demanding. It requires energy and can be uncomfortable, especially in the early days when mothers are still healing from childbirth. The combination of these physical demands and the emotional toll of adjusting to a new routine can significantly contribute to fatigue. As mothers navigate the challenges of postpartum life, the energy required for milk production and the constant care of a newborn can leave them feeling drained.
Postpartum Recovery and Sleep Deprivation
It’s important to note that fatigue during breastfeeding is not solely due to the act itself. The postpartum period is inherently exhausting, as new mothers often face sleep deprivation. Caring for a newborn typically involves frequent nighttime feedings, which disrupts sleep patterns and can lead to chronic tiredness. This lack of restorative sleep compounds the fatigue experienced during breastfeeding.
Coping Strategies for Tired Mothers
While the fatigue associated with breastfeeding can feel overwhelming, there are strategies that mothers can employ to help manage their energy levels. Ensuring proper nutrition, staying hydrated, and seeking support from family or lactation consultants can make a significant difference. Additionally, finding moments to rest and recharge, even in small increments, can help alleviate some of the tiredness that comes with this demanding phase of motherhood.
In conclusion, while breastfeeding is a beautiful and bonding experience, it is also a significant contributor to the fatigue many new mothers experience. Understanding the hormonal and physical factors at play can help mothers navigate this challenging time with greater awareness and support.

Why does breastfeeding make you lose weight?

Breastfeeding makes your body burn calories which helps you lose weight. If you are patient, you may be surprised at how much weight you lose naturally while breastfeeding.

How long does it take for hormones to balance after breastfeeding?

The return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels can vary greatly, but generally hormones will normalize within three to six months. If you are breastfeeding, as you wean from it, your prolactin and oxytocin levels will drop—potentially leaving you feeling sad, anxious or irritable.

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.

When do you lose the most weight while breastfeeding?

In the Stockholm cohort, Ohlin and Rossner,23 similarly reported that greater duration and intensity of breast-feeding were associated with more weight loss from 2.5 to 6 months after delivery; however, overall weight loss from 2.5 to 12 months was similar, regardless of breast-feeding status.

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.

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.

Why does breastfeeding make you so tired?

Meanwhile, prolactin helps you make and maintain your milk supply. And, similar to our friend oxytocin, prolactin enhances relaxation and calm. Put all the pieces together, and you can see why you may feel relaxed, drowsy, or sleepy while breastfeeding.

Does breastfeeding take up 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.

Do you sleep more when breastfeeding?

The good news is that, although it may not feel like it, mothers who breastfeed actually get statistically more sleep than formula-feeding mums.

How much energy is lost during breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding can also help you manage or lose your postpartum weight. Moms burn about 500 extra calories a day while producing breast milk, which could lead to faster weight loss after birth. Although that doesn’t mean breastfeeding is a weight loss miracle, it can jumpstart the process.