How can I stop nausea while breastfeeding?

Understanding Nausea While Breastfeeding
Experiencing nausea while breastfeeding can be an unsettling and uncomfortable issue for new mothers. This sensation is not overly common, but it can arise due to various factors, primarily linked to hormonal changes and the physiological processes involved in breastfeeding.
Causes of Nausea
One of the primary culprits behind nausea during breastfeeding is the release of oxytocin, a hormone that plays a crucial role in milk let-down. This hormone is also associated with digestion, and its sudden increase can lead to feelings of nausea. For many women, this nausea tends to diminish as their bodies adjust to the demands of breastfeeding, typically resolving within six to eight weeks after childbirth.
Other potential causes of nausea may include anxiety, fatigue, or even dietary choices. It’s essential to consider these factors, as they can exacerbate feelings of discomfort during nursing sessions.
Managing Nausea
While waiting for the nausea to subside naturally is often the best course of action, there are several strategies that mothers can employ to alleviate their symptoms:
1. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can worsen nausea. Drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, can help maintain hydration levels and may ease nausea.
2. Small, Frequent Meals: Eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of large ones can help manage nausea. Focus on bland foods that are easier on the stomach, such as crackers or toast.
3. Rest and Relaxation: Fatigue can intensify feelings of nausea. Ensuring adequate rest and finding time to relax can be beneficial. Techniques such as deep breathing or gentle yoga may also help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
4. Positioning During Feeding: Experimenting with different breastfeeding positions may help. Some mothers find that certain positions reduce discomfort and nausea.
5. Consulting Healthcare Providers: If nausea persists or is severe, it may be wise to consult a healthcare professional. Some anti-emetics can be used cautiously during breastfeeding, depending on individual circumstances. Medications like Zofran may be considered, but it’s crucial to discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor.
When to Expect Relief
For most mothers, the nausea associated with breastfeeding is temporary. As hormone levels stabilize and the body adjusts to the new routine, many find that their symptoms improve significantly within a couple of months. Understanding that this phase is often short-lived can provide some comfort during challenging moments.
In conclusion, while nausea during breastfeeding can be distressing, it is typically manageable with a combination of self-care strategies and professional guidance. Mothers should feel empowered to seek help and explore options that work best for their individual situations.

What can I take to settle my stomach while breastfeeding?

Medicines to treat gas and bloating, such as Gas-X, Maalox, Mylanta, and others, are safe to take while breastfeeding. They contain simethicone, which is sometimes given to infants. It is also not absorbed into the mother’s system, so wouldn’t be transmitted in breast milk.

What can breastfeeding moms take for nausea?

Treating nausea during breastfeeding

• Cyclizine.
• Hyoscine hydrobromide.
• Metoclopramide.
• Ondansetron.
• Prochlorperazine.
• Promethazine.

What is the best position to breastfeed to avoid gas?

And upright breastfeeding positions like laid-back breastfeeding and cradle hold are also good if your child is frequently gassy.

How can I stop feeling sick while breastfeeding?

Some people are prescribed (or buy) prochlorperazine (Buccastem ®, Stemetil ®) tablets to relieve the nausea and vomiting, loperamide (Imodium®) to reduce the symptoms of diarrhoea and rehydrating sachets (Dioralyte ®) to prevent dehydration. These drugs are suitable to take and carry on breastfeeding as normal.

Does mothers upset stomach affect breast milk?

Some breastfeeding parents notice drops in their milk supply after illnesses like food poisoning. That’s why it’s important that you stay well hydrated. If you do notice a drop in your milk supply, it should be temporary. Nursing more frequently and replenishing your fluids should resolve things.

What day of breastfeeding hurts the most?

Your breasts will feel swollen and painful 2 to 3 days after you give birth. You will need to nurse your baby often to relieve the pain. Pump your breasts if you miss a feeding, or if a feeding does not relieve the pain. Talk to your health care provider if your breasts do not feel better after 1 day.

What are the hardest days of breastfeeding?

Everyone’s experiences of breastfeeding will vary, so there is no one single day which is the hardest. However, typically, breastfeeding is most challenging during the first week. This is because you are adjusting to life as a new mum, even if it is your second baby, or even your third or fourth.

Why do I feel nauseous every time I breastfeed?

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 is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

These increases occur around the same time for all babies, hence the term “3-months breastfeeding crisis”. This crisis is the most well-known because it is the most challenging for mothers. One reason is that this crisis, unlike others you may experience before, can last up to a month.

Why am I so nauseous postpartum?

Worries might get in the way of sleep, or could cause a decreased appetite. Some mothers might have trouble sitting still, or will experience symptoms such as dizziness or nausea. Oftentimes, postpartum anxiety can take the form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).