Breastfeeding is an amazing way to nourish and connect with your baby, but breastfeeding does make you tired. The demand for milk production, the constant feeding, and the loss of sleep all take a toll on you. Thankfully, there are ways to fight this tiredness and regain your energy while still meeting your baby's needs. Understanding the causes of breastfeeding fatigue and adopting practical strategies can help you thrive during this special stage of motherhood.
Does Breastfeeding Make You Tired?
Yes, you get really tired from breastfeeding. Many new mothers say they get exhausted during this period. This is what people commonly refer to as postpartum fatigue. It's not only the physical but also the emotional and mental strain of feeding your baby constantly, broken sleep, and the body working hard to make milk.
Additionally, breastfeeding stimulates the release of hormones like oxytocin and prolactin, which are essential for milk production and bonding with your baby. These hormones can have calming effects, but they may also contribute to a sense of lethargy.
What is Postpartum Fatigue, and What Causes Postpartum Fatigue?
Postpartum fatigue is the extreme tiredness and lack of energy many new mothers experience after childbirth. It's more than typical tiredness—it can feel overwhelming and persistent, often affecting daily life and emotional well-being.
Several factors contribute to postpartum fatigue, including:
- Physical Recovery from Childbirth: Childbirth, whether vaginal or cesarean, is a physically taxing process. Healing tissues, hormonal shifts, and changes in blood volume can all deplete energy.
- Sleep Deprivation: Newborns require feeding, changing, and comforting around the clock, which results in fragmented sleep patterns and less restorative rest.
- Hormonal Fluctuations: The delivery significantly reduces levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can influence energy levels and mood.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase nutritional demands, and a lack of sufficient intake may result in fatigue.
- Emotional Stress: Adjusting to motherhood, dealing with anxieties about the baby's health, and managing household responsibilities can be emotionally draining.
How Much Energy Does Breastfeeding Take?
Breastfeeding is highly energy-consuming. Breastfeeding burns an average of 500–700 calories in a day, depending on how long the baby is in and how frequently the baby wants to feed. So, this is the same caloric burn of a daily exercise session. The calories that are burnt are going towards the production of milk to feed the baby or promote the baby's development and growth. If that's not supplemented with a rich diet, then mothers just tend to be drained.
Why Can Breastfeeding Make You Tired?
Breastfeeding is a wonderful yet challenging process that leaves moms tired. Hormonal changes, higher calorie requirements, poor sleep, and emotional tension all play a role in a mother's exhaustion. Understanding all of these can help you balance your energy and take good care of yourself and your baby.
- Hormones
Breastfeeding triggers the release of hormones like oxytocin and prolactin. While oxytocin helps bond with the baby and promotes a sense of relaxation, it can also induce drowsiness, especially during nursing sessions. This "milk-drunk" effect is beneficial for bonding but can leave mothers feeling perpetually sleepy.
- Nutritional Demand
Milking milk involves substantial amounts of nutrients, including protein, calcium, and vitamins. If not sufficiently replenished by diet or supplements, it can lead to fatigue. A breastfeeding mom needs a nutrient-rich diet to support the amount of milk and her energy.
- Sleep and Rest
Frequent night feedings disrupt sleep cycles, and irregular sleeping patterns prevent deep restorative rest. Over a period of time, this sleep deprivation adds up to chronic fatigue.
- Physical Factors
Physical activities in nursing, especially when one is in poor postures, strain the muscles and joints, causing discomfort or exhaustion. The carrying and cuddling of the baby contribute to the physical demands as well.
- Emotional Factors
Caring for a newborn can be a very emotionally draining experience; new mothers often feel anxious or overwhelmed or even suffer from postpartum depression. Emotional stress consumes energy and, therefore, contributes to total fatigue.
- Influence of Hydration
Breastfeeding increases the fluid needs of a mother since water is a significant component of breast milk. If fluids are not replenished, dehydration can easily set in, leading to sluggishness and fatigue.
Does Pumping Make You Tired?
Yes, pumping can drain you out, just like breastfeeding. The act of pumping requires your body's energy to produce milk for you, and this depletes you, especially considering that you are managing everything about the newborn. Constant pumping schedules, waking in the middle of the night to pump, and milking supply also make you quite tired.
It helps to minimize the physical and emotional strain if one is using a convenient and efficient breast pump. For instance, the Momcozy M9 Hands-Free Breast Pump offers a lightweight and portable solution for busy moms. With features like mobile flow technology, 3 modes, and 9 suction levels, it will provide you with a comfortable and efficient pumping experience. Hence, you have more time to rest and attend to other priorities. Its hands-free design also allows you to multitask, reducing the feeling of being tied down during pumping sessions.
Will Breastfeeding Tiredness Cause Other Problems?
Chronic tiredness from breastfeeding can lead to other issues if not addressed. Some of these include:
- Weakened Immune System:Chronic fatigue can weaken your body's defenses, putting you at risk for illnesses.
- Emotional Stress:Constant tiredness can be a contributing factor to feelings of frustration, anxiety, or even postpartum depression.
- Reduced Milk Supply:Severe exhaustion or inadequate nutrition may affect your milk production over time.
- Impaired Bonding:Fatigue can make it harder to fully enjoy moments with your baby, potentially affecting emotional connection.
- Physical Strain:Lack of rest can lead to headaches, muscle pain, or other physical symptoms, further draining your energy.
How to Overcome Breastfeeding Fatigue?
It is common to suffer from breastfeeding fatigue. Maintaining energy to care for a baby will be very hard if the right routine strategies are applied. Here are ways to overcome breastfeeding fatigue:
- Eat balanced, nutrient-rich meals and snacks to replace energy. Include foods that are high in protein, iron, and healthy fats.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day because dehydration can exacerbate fatigue.
- Sleep when the baby sleeps, and pump occasionally so a partner or caregiver can take over feedings.
- Consider hands-free pumps like the Momcozy M9 to make pumping more manageable.
- Don't wait until it is too much. Ask your partner, family, or friends for assistance with it.
- Brief rest times and even short moments of easy exercise help enhance your energy and your mood as well.
Is it OK to Sleep While Breastfeeding?
Sleeping while breastfeeding is possible under certain conditions but must be done with care. Many mothers use the side-lying position of breastfeeding, which is a comfortable position that allows them to rest while nursing. She should, however, take pains to ensure a safe sleep environment for her baby:
- Use a firm mattress without pillows or blankets close to the baby.
- Do not sleep if you are overtired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Place the baby in a bassinet or crib placed nearby once they are done feeding.
- Resting, although recommended during breastfeeding, ensures your baby is securely lying down because there's always that danger of suffocation or other risk.
FAQs About Breastfeeding Making You Tire
Do you get sleepy while breastfeeding?
Yes, it is very normal to feel drowsy while breastfeeding. This is mainly because of the hormone oxytocin, which is released during nursing. Oxytocin causes relaxation and bonding but also makes you feel drowsy. Moreover, the physical exertion of breastfeeding and the lack of sleep due to a newborn may increase this tiredness.
Will I have more energy if I stop breastfeeding?
Stopping breastfeeding will increase energy for some mothers since the body no longer has to allocate extra calories and nutrients to milk production. You may also have a more regular sleep pattern because your baby will no longer need to be fed at night. But again, every mother is different, and overall health, sleep, and stress levels will influence energy levels after weaning.
How long does postpartum fatigue last?
Postpartum fatigue differs for every mother. For most, it lasts for a couple of weeks as the body adjusts post-delivery. Others, with sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, or nutritional deficiencies, may prolong it for several months. Self-care, seeking support, and dealing with underlying issues can lessen the duration and intensity of postpartum fatigue.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding fatigue is a natural response to the physical and emotional demands of caring for a newborn, but it doesn't have to define your motherhood journey. Remember, taking care of yourself is not just a luxury—it’s essential. When you focus on your well-being, you are more capable of providing the love and care that your baby needs.
