Why does breastfeeding make me feel tired?

Understanding Breastfeeding Fatigue
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child, but it can also come with an unexpected downside: fatigue. Many new mothers report feeling unusually tired while nursing, and this phenomenon can be attributed to several interconnected factors.
Hormonal Influences
One of the primary reasons breastfeeding can lead to feelings of tiredness is the release of hormones during the process. When a mother breastfeeds, her body produces prolactin, a hormone that plays a crucial role in milk production. Prolactin not only stimulates milk supply but also has a sedative effect, which can make mothers feel drowsy. Additionally, oxytocin, another hormone released during breastfeeding, promotes relaxation and bonding but can also contribute to feelings of fatigue.
Physical Demands of Nursing
Breastfeeding is a physically demanding activity. It requires energy to produce milk, and the act of nursing itself can be taxing. The body’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) increases during breastfeeding, meaning that mothers burn more calories than usual, which can lead to exhaustion. This increased energy expenditure, combined with the demands of caring for a newborn, can create a perfect storm of fatigue.
Sleep Disruption
New mothers often face disrupted sleep patterns, especially in the early weeks postpartum. Frequent nighttime feedings can lead to fragmented sleep, which is a significant contributor to overall tiredness. The combination of hormonal changes and lack of restorative sleep can leave mothers feeling drained.
Nutritional Factors
Another aspect to consider is nutrition. Breastfeeding mothers have increased nutritional needs, and inadequate intake of essential nutrients can exacerbate feelings of fatigue. For instance, dehydration can worsen tiredness, making it crucial for mothers to stay well-hydrated. Even if a mother is eating healthily, she may still feel fatigued if her diet lacks certain vitamins or minerals necessary for energy production.
Emotional and Psychological Factors
The emotional toll of new motherhood can also play a role in fatigue. The stress and anxiety that often accompany caring for a newborn can lead to mental exhaustion, compounding the physical tiredness caused by breastfeeding. Support from family, friends, or lactation consultants can be invaluable in managing these feelings and reducing fatigue.
Conclusion
In summary, the tiredness experienced during breastfeeding is a multifaceted issue influenced by hormonal changes, physical demands, sleep disruption, nutritional needs, and emotional factors. While it is a normal part of the breastfeeding journey, understanding these elements can help mothers find ways to manage their energy levels better. Staying hydrated, ensuring proper nutrition, and seeking support can all contribute to alleviating some of the fatigue associated with this beautiful yet demanding phase of motherhood.

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.

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.

Does breastfeeding make you tired all the time?

Breastfeeding fatigue is very real, and it’s not just because of those 4am feeds. Did you know that you burn up to 1000 calories per day while breastfeeding? In fact, breastfeeding mums exert up to 25 per cent of their energy to produce breast milk.

How can I get my energy back while breastfeeding?

Healthy snack ideas for breastfeeding mums
The following snacks are quick and simple to make, and will give you energy: fresh fruit with a handful of unsalted nuts. lower-fat, lower-sugar yoghurts or fromage frais. hummus with bread or vegetable sticks.

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.

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 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.

What are the negative effects of breastfeeding?

5 Side Effects of Breastfeeding

• Back Pain: Think about it—you’re hunched over your baby, in an awkward position.
• Bruising: Yep, your little tike can cause some big bruises on your breasts.
• Carpal Tunnel: Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a problem for pregnant women, but it can also be a problem post-birth.

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.

Why is nursing a baby so exhausting?

Breastfeeding by itself isn’t tiring. However many babies and toddlers are obsessed and want to do it throughout the night. So they wake up crying and then you wake up so naturally you are tired too. The babies usually have one or two naptimes during the day to recover and the mothers don’t.