Why does breastfeeding make me nauseous?

Understanding Nausea During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child, yet for some mothers, it can come with unexpected challenges, including feelings of nausea. This phenomenon, while not widely discussed, is more common than one might think and can stem from various physiological and hormonal changes that occur during nursing.
Hormonal Influences
One of the primary culprits behind nausea during breastfeeding is the release of the hormone 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. The surge of oxytocin during breastfeeding can lead to a cascade of hormonal changes that may induce queasiness, particularly during the initial weeks postpartum when hormone levels are still stabilizing.
Additionally, the body undergoes significant changes to support breastfeeding, including tapping into energy reserves. This process can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which may contribute to feelings of nausea. If a mother is not eating adequately or frequently enough, low blood sugar can exacerbate these symptoms.
Physical Responses
Breastfeeding also stimulates uterine contractions, which can be particularly pronounced in the early days after childbirth. These contractions, while essential for helping the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, can also cause discomfort and nausea. This physical response is often coupled with the emotional and physical demands of caring for a newborn, which can leave mothers feeling overwhelmed and physically drained.
Managing Nausea
For mothers experiencing nausea while breastfeeding, there are several strategies that may help alleviate symptoms. Ensuring a balanced diet and eating small, frequent meals can help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Staying hydrated is equally important, as dehydration can worsen feelings of nausea.
Some mothers find that resting before and after breastfeeding sessions can help mitigate nausea, as can practicing deep breathing techniques to manage stress and anxiety associated with nursing. If nausea persists or is severe, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying issues.
Conclusion
While nausea during breastfeeding can be an uncomfortable and distressing experience, understanding its causes can empower mothers to seek solutions and support. By recognizing the hormonal and physical changes that accompany breastfeeding, mothers can better navigate this challenging aspect of motherhood, ensuring that both they and their babies can enjoy the breastfeeding journey.

Is it normal to not like breastfeeding?

Depression or other negative emotions upon milk let-down (D-MER) Whilst not enjoying breastfeeding all the time, or developing nursing aversion is very common, a small number of women experience far stronger negative emotions when breastfeeding.

What to take for nausea when breastfeeding?

Treating nausea during breastfeeding

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

Should I stop breastfeeding if I feel sick?

Not only is it safe but breastfeeding during illness is also a good idea. The CDC states, “A mother’s breast milk contains antibodies and other immunological factors that can help protect her infant from illness and is the recommended source of nutrition for the infant, even while the mother is ill.

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.

Why do I feel nauseous after feeding?

Nausea after eating and other gastrointestinal problems may occur when an organ within the digestive system stops functioning properly. For example, gastroesophageal disease (GERD) occurs when the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach malfunctions, causing stomach acid to enter the esophagus.

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.

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 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.

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 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.