Why do I get so tired when I breastfeed?

Understanding Fatigue During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child, but for many new mothers, it can also be a source of significant fatigue. This tiredness is not merely a byproduct of sleepless nights; it is a complex interplay of physiological, hormonal, and emotional factors that can leave mothers feeling drained.
The Hormonal Influence
One of the primary reasons breastfeeding can lead to fatigue is the release of the hormone prolactin. This hormone is crucial for milk production, but it also has a sedative effect, making mothers feel sleepy during and after nursing sessions. The body’s natural response to breastfeeding includes a surge in prolactin levels, which can contribute to a sense of drowsiness. This is compounded by the fact that many mothers are already sleep-deprived due to the demands of caring for a newborn.
Energy Demands of Milk Production
Producing breast milk is an energy-intensive process. The body requires additional calories and nutrients to support lactation, which can lead to feelings of fatigue if these needs are not met. New mothers often find themselves juggling the demands of feeding, changing, and soothing their babies, all while trying to maintain their own health. If a mother is not consuming enough calories or staying hydrated, she may experience increased tiredness as her body struggles to meet the energy demands of both milk production and recovery from childbirth.
Sleep Disruption
The reality of newborn care often means that mothers face significant disruptions to their sleep patterns. Frequent nighttime feedings can lead to fragmented sleep, which is a well-known contributor to fatigue. The constant cycle of waking up to nurse, coupled with the physical discomforts associated with breastfeeding—such as sore nipples or engorgement—can exacerbate feelings of exhaustion.
Emotional and Psychological Factors
Beyond the physical demands, emotional factors also play a role in postpartum fatigue. The transition to motherhood can be overwhelming, and feelings of anxiety or stress about breastfeeding can further drain a mother’s energy. Support from family, friends, or lactation consultants can be invaluable in helping mothers navigate these challenges and reduce feelings of isolation and fatigue.
Strategies for Managing Fatigue
To combat the tiredness associated with breastfeeding, mothers can adopt several strategies. Ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration is essential; incorporating foods rich in vitamins and minerals can help support energy levels. Additionally, seeking support from loved ones can provide much-needed relief, allowing mothers to rest while someone else cares for the baby.
In conclusion, while breastfeeding is a natural and rewarding experience, it is also demanding and can lead to significant fatigue. Understanding the underlying causes—hormonal changes, energy demands, sleep disruption, and emotional factors—can help mothers better manage their energy levels and enjoy this special time with their newborns.

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.

Can breastfeeding make you extra tired?

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 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.

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.

Why do I feel sleepy while breastfeeding?

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.

Can breastfeeding drain your energy?

Sometimes you can be doing all the right things like getting adequate water, eating healthy foods and getting adequate rest, and you still feel tired. This is because breastfeeding and making your milk supply can wreak havoc on your nutritional intake, which can cause some serious low energy.

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.

What is the golden rule of breastfeeding?

1. Demand is Equal to Supply: The principle of demand and supply is fundamental to breastfeeding. The more your baby nurses, the more signals your body receives to produce milk.

How do I overcome breastfeeding fatigue?

Plan to nap and rest during the day whenever possible to make up for interrupted sleep at night. Set up “feeding stations” around your home. These should include diaper-changing materials as well as anything you might need while breastfeeding, such as water, snacks, reading materials, or music.