Why does breastfeeding make you nauseous?

Understanding Nausea During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often celebrated for its numerous benefits, both for the mother and the baby. However, many nursing mothers report experiencing nausea during this intimate process, a phenomenon that can be both surprising and distressing. Understanding the underlying causes of this nausea can help mothers navigate their breastfeeding journey more comfortably.
Hormonal Influences
One of the primary culprits behind nausea during breastfeeding is the release of the hormone oxytocin. This hormone plays a crucial role in the milk let-down reflex, facilitating the release of breast milk. Interestingly, oxytocin is also associated with digestion and can influence gut hormones, which may lead to feelings of nausea in some women during breastfeeding. This hormonal fluctuation is particularly pronounced in the early weeks postpartum, when a mother’s body is adjusting to the demands of nursing.
Blood Sugar Levels
Another significant factor contributing to nausea is low blood sugar. Many new mothers may find themselves so focused on their baby’s needs that they neglect their own dietary requirements. If a mother has not eaten adequately before breastfeeding, she may experience a drop in blood sugar levels, leading to nausea. This underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring regular meals to support both the mother’s health and her milk production.
Energy Expenditure
Breastfeeding is an energy-intensive process. The body requires substantial energy to produce milk, and this increased demand can sometimes lead to feelings of nausea. As the body taps into its energy reserves to meet the needs of breastfeeding, some mothers may feel overwhelmed, particularly if they are already fatigued or not consuming enough calories.
Psychological Factors
In addition to physiological causes, psychological factors can also play a role. The stress and anxiety that often accompany new motherhood can exacerbate feelings of nausea. For some women, the emotional and physical demands of breastfeeding can trigger nausea, especially during the initial weeks when both mother and baby are adjusting to this new routine.
Managing Nausea
Fortunately, there are several strategies that mothers can employ to alleviate nausea while breastfeeding. Ensuring a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, and eating small, frequent meals can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce feelings of nausea. Additionally, some mothers find that practicing relaxation techniques or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress and its physical manifestations.
In conclusion, while nausea during breastfeeding can be an uncomfortable experience, understanding its causes—from hormonal changes to dietary habits—can empower mothers to take proactive steps to mitigate these feelings. By prioritizing self-care and seeking support when needed, nursing mothers can enhance their breastfeeding experience and focus on the joys of nurturing their newborns.

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 so bad when I breastfeed?

Not everyone has a positive experience with breastfeeding. If you feel negative emotions like anger or sadness when your milk lets down, you may have D-MER, or dysphoric milk ejection reflex. You’re not alone, you did nothing to cause it and there’s nothing “wrong” with you.

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.

How can I settle my stomach while breastfeeding?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends kaolin-pectin products (such as Kaopectate) or loperamide products (such as Imodium) for nursing mothers with diarrhea. Bismuth subsalicylate compounds (such as Pepto Bismol) contain enough aspirin ingredients that they may not be safe for your baby.

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.

Why do I get nauseous when breastfeeding?

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.

Why do I feel weird while breastfeeding?

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is described as a flood of negative emotions during breastfeeding that corresponds specifically to milk letdown (milk ejection). Usually , the feelings come right before the milk lets down and continue for a few minutes after.

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).

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 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.