Being a new mother is both delightful and stressful! As if that was not enough, nursing your newborn can also make you feel even more worn out. Exhaustion is a common and valid problem for breastfeeding mothers to manage.
Why does breastfeeding make you tired? A surge of the feel-good hormone Oxytocin occurs in the brain of a mother who is breastfeeding. You might feel tired after an oxytocin rush. In this post, we’ll explore the solution and provide advice for overcoming fatigue.
Reasons Why Does Breastfeeding Make You Tired
We must first identify the type of tiredness we’re talking about. You might be wondering if breastfeeding causes temporary sleepiness or general weariness. Let’s begin by discussing prolactin and oxytocin, two chemicals involved.
Oxytocin And Prolactin
The hormones oxytocin and prolactin are essential for breastfeeding because they play a part in milk production and the letdown reflex. You’ll notice that that these chemicals do more than cause your milk to be produced. They may also help you relax, making you sleepy while breastfeeding.
Oxytocin, in particular, aids with milk letdown. However, this hormone rings a bell for you because it is also known as the bonding and love hormone. It helps you connect with your infant.
It feels fantastic as it helps unwind and relax while nursing your baby, but oxytocin is also likely to be making you feel drowsy while feeding.
Prolactin, on the other hand, is involved in milk production and maintenance. Prolactin, like our friend oxytocin, has an antidepressant effect by promoting calmness and relaxation.
Considering everything, it’s easy to see why breastfeeding may make you feel at ease, drowsy, or tired. Don’t get the impression that all of your new-mother tiredness is caused by breastfeeding or lack of sleep. That isn’t how it works.
New-Mom Fatigue
It’s no wonder you’re exhausted after giving birth. The postpartum period is tough, especially because you are still recovering from childbirth and breastfeeding can be very taxing on your body.
Whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, you’re bound to be sleep-deprived. It’s just a natural part of having a new baby. Studies show that mothers who use bottles to feed their babies may not get more sleep than mothers who breastfeed.
Aside from the usual lack of sleep, does nursing make you feel more worn out? After all, keeping a healthy milk supply requires much effort from your body. Even though your body is working hard, there is no evidence that nursing by itself causes weariness. How you feed your kid is not directly related to how tired you are.
Benefits Of Breastfeeding
It is crucial to remember that breastfeeding is an intensely personal experience for every woman. There should be no pressure whatsoever in regards to determining whether nursing is the best possible option for you.
There are several reasons why you should breastfeed your infant. Firstly, it provides them with the best possible nutrition and helps protect them from diseases and viruses. Additionally, it encourages brain growth and may lower their risk of developing chronic illnesses later in life. And if that’s not enough incentive for you, nursing helps enhance your bond with your child .
The advantages of breast milk over formula feeding include being more cost-effective and lowering your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Your body’s oxytocin production also helps your uterus shrink back to its pre-baby dimensions. Breastfeeding may also have environmental benefits as well. Since it requires use of less paper and plastic packaging material, it can be the more environmentally friendly option.
Tips For Dealing When Breastfeeding Does Make You Tired
The following suggestions will help you cope with weariness and take care of your body, whether you’re experiencing the impacts of prolactin and oxytocin or struggling with new-mom fatigue. Remember to be patient with yourself; it’s normal to feel exhausted when you have so much going on.
1. Eat Healthy Food
What you put in your body greatly influences your general health, even if you are not breastfeeding. During the postpartum period, when you’re recovering and simultaneously nursing your baby, it’s critical to drink enough water and eat properly. Lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and various fruits and vegetables are all necessary components of nutritious eating while nursing.
2. Sleep
Get enough sleep! Your body needs cat naps during the day because you likely aren’t receiving a full night’s sleep. Put your legs up when your baby is sleeping, even if you can’t manage to “sleep when the baby sleeps.” A midday nap can be quite beneficial to your health.
3. Use Nipple Cream
Two commonly recommended sore nipple remedies for that common tenderness in the early days:
- Lanolin for breastfeeding – make sure it is approved for breastfeeding. Moms like Medela Tender Care Lanolin because it is a thin consistency. That makes it easier to apply.
- Breastfeeding gel pads. These were a game-changer when they first came out. There are several different brands. Andrea Tran, an experienced Lactation Consultant only recommends Ameda ComfortGels.
- Secret tip: put gel pads in the fridge to amp up the soothing power.
- Another tip is to get more than one pair. Keep one in the fridge while you are wearing another pair.
- They need to be changed every few days so have some ready to go when yours get cloudy or have reached the time for replacement.
4. Make Yourself At Ease
While you’re nursing your kid, take a seat. If you can discover a posture that is pleasant for you, you may relax while nursing. This might make the whole process less demanding.
It’s vital to find a relaxed nursing position for you and your baby so that they can latch on properly. A good latch allows your baby to get the necessary milk and makes sure your nipples are spared any distress.
5. Consult A Lactation Consultant
Sore or damaged nipples can be a sign of an improper latch. See a lactation expert if you have difficulty finding a comfortable breastfeeding posture. They are specialists and can help you choose the best position and evaluate your child’s latch. Please do not put it off! The last thing you want while dealing with nursing fatigue is to become irritable, exhausted, or achy from trying.
6. Ask for Help
Asking your friends and family for help with daily tasks is just as wise as seeking the advice of a breastfeeding expert. It really does take a village. The good news is that your loved ones want to help and are ready to do so – they may only need reminding of what needs to be done from time to time.
Requesting assistance from friends or family can be difficult, but delegating some tasks is important, making your workload more manageable. Whether you need help making dinner or cleaning the house, don’t hesitate to reach out to your loved ones.
Conclusion
Why does breastfeeding make you tired? When you’re nursing, prolactin and oxytocin can calm you and make you tired, as we’ve seen in this post. In addition, postpartum recovery and sleep deprivation contribute to fatigue.
Being a mother can be a full time job. You’re juggling 1,000 tasks with very little time for rest or relaxation. To help ward off exhaustion, taking care of yourself physically and mentally is important. Eat healthy, nutritious meals, get as much sleep as you can (take naps when possible), wear comfortable clothing while breastfeeding, and seek help from others when needed.
Your baby is precious, and no matter how weary and stressed out you are right now – fight the fatigue and remember that its all worthwhile.
