Why does breastfeeding make me feel nauseous?

Understanding Nausea During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child, yet for some mothers, it can be accompanied by unexpected discomfort, including feelings of nausea. This phenomenon, while distressing, is not uncommon and can stem from a variety of physiological and hormonal factors.
Hormonal Fluctuations
One of the primary culprits behind nausea during breastfeeding is the release of hormones, particularly oxytocin. This hormone is crucial for milk let-down, but it also plays a role in digestion and can trigger feelings of nausea in some women. As breastfeeding stimulates uterine contractions, the associated hormonal changes can lead to queasiness, especially in the early weeks postpartum when hormone levels are still stabilizing.
Nutritional Needs and Blood Sugar Levels
Another significant factor is the increased caloric demand that breastfeeding places on a mother’s body. On average, nursing mothers require an additional 400 to 500 calories per day to meet the energy needs of milk production. If a mother is not consuming enough calories or is experiencing low blood sugar—often due to skipping meals or not eating enough—this can lead to feelings of nausea. An empty stomach can exacerbate this sensation, making it crucial for breastfeeding mothers to maintain a balanced diet and regular eating schedule.
Emotional and Physical Responses
The emotional landscape of motherhood can also contribute to feelings of nausea. Many mothers report experiencing anxiety or stress during breastfeeding, particularly at the moment of let-down. This anxiety can manifest physically, leading to nausea. Additionally, the physical demands of breastfeeding, which can be exhausting, may leave some mothers feeling overwhelmed and queasy.
Remedies and Management
For those experiencing nausea while breastfeeding, there are several strategies that may help alleviate discomfort. Ensuring a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients and maintaining regular meal times can stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce feelings of nausea. Additionally, practicing relaxation techniques and finding comfortable positions during breastfeeding can help mitigate anxiety and physical discomfort.
In conclusion, while nausea during breastfeeding can be an unsettling experience, understanding its causes—from hormonal changes to nutritional needs—can empower mothers to seek solutions and support. It’s essential for nursing mothers to listen to their bodies and consult healthcare professionals if nausea persists, ensuring both their well-being and that of their baby.

Why does breastfeeding make my stomach upset?

For a few days after delivery, many women have cramping pain in the abdomen at the start of each feeding. This is because breastfeeding stimulates the release of hormones that help shrink the uterus back to its normal size.

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.

What is dysregulated breastfeeding?

Because a vigorous sucking pattern without stopping is a new descriptor for a dysregulated breastfeeding pattern, this study has identified a behavior that—if future research is supportive—care providers and lactation specialists should assess.

Is it normal to feel nauseous while breastfeeding?

Nausea during let-down only occurs in a small percentage of breastfeeding people and usually disappears by 6 to 8 weeks postpartum.

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.

Why am I nauseous while breastfeeding?

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)

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.

Is it normal for breastfeeding to make you nauseous?

Nausea during let-down only occurs in a small percentage of breastfeeding people and usually disappears by 6 to 8 weeks postpartum.

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.

Why does breastfeeding make me feel weird?

It’s a physiological (read: not mental) response to your body releasing milk, and can bring on feelings of intense sadness, despair, anxiety and more as you’re starting to nurse your baby.