Can Breastfeeding Make You Tired? The Exhaustion New Moms Face

Hormones are the big contributors to the amount of milk you produce as well as the physical experience during breastfeeding.

• Oxytocin - Oxytocin, commonly referred to as the love hormone, is the reason why you get the milk letdown reflex and the reason why you have a feeling of attachment with your baby. Even though oxytocin stimulates a feeling of relaxation and attachment, it is also a natural tranquilizer, so maybe you will feel like sleeping right after nursing.
• Prolactin - Prolactin is another hormone that helps in the production of milk. More likely, this will increase during night feeding, which is a good thing as it helps to boost your milk, but will also make you drowsy and tired.

It takes extraordinary amounts of energy to produce breast milk. In fact, when you breastfeed, you end up burning about 300 to 500 calories per day- the same calories that you would have burned during an intense workout.

Without consuming proper food or eating in a balanced way, your body will start using up its energy stores, and you will feel exhausted.

That is the reason to eat our healthy meals and snacks regularly. Energy crashes, and increased fatigue can be caused by missing meals or eating foods high in sugar, which makes the fatigue worse.

Lack of sleep is probably the most apparent factor that causes breastfeeding fatigue. Infants are required to feed after every 2-3 hours and in some cases after every growth spurt in what is referred to as cluster feeding.

Such a haphazard routine cannot invoke deep and restful sleep. You may still get up every few hours and not feel young even after having had several hours of total sleep. This eventually builds up and affects your mood, energy and well-being.

Although some tiredness is normal, there are occasions when tiredness may be indicative of a more severe condition. Contact your health care provider in case of:

• Severe weariness not relieved by rest.
• Headaches, brain fog or dizziness.
• Inability to focus on or accomplish everyday chores.
• Continuous depression, irritability or anxiety.
• Weakness of the body, being pale, or having a fast pulse.

Such symptoms may indicate health issues such as postpartum depression, thyroid conditions, or anemia, all of which must be addressed.

The good news is that you can fight fatigue and still be able to breastfeed successfully.

• Nap whenever you can - Even short 20 to 30 minute naps during the day can make you feel more alert and refreshed.
• Sharing the job of feeding - You can share the job of feeding with another person when you are pumping and storing milk. To ensure your milk is safe on the road one of the things you can do is to keep it cold using the best breast milk travel cooler.
• Easy night feeds - Prepare a small feeding station next to your bed with water, burp cloths and snacks so that you do not have to get up and move around too much during the night.
• Light exercise - Light exercise, such as stretching, walking, or postpartum yoga, can actually make you feel more energized by increasing circulation and endorphin release.
• Connect emotionally - You can feel less lonely and more energized in this difficult phase by sharing with other moms or asking them to join your support group.

The food you consume affects the amount of energy that you feel during breastfeeding very much. Some of the simplest, but useful counter-measures against fatigue with nutrition are as follows:

• Liquids: 8 to 12 cups of water every day. Once again, a small degree of dehydration will cause you to feel sleepy and exhausted.
• Protein emphasis: You ought to consume eggs, chicken, fish, beans and Greek yogurt to provide you with constant energy and create milk.
• Healthy snacks: Bring healthy snacks, such as cheese sticks, nuts and fresh fruit.
• Good fats: Fatty fish like salmon, nuts, olive oil, and avocados will keep your energy up and your baby growing up.

Or consider making snacks in advance and having a pump and the best cooler to carry breast milk, so that you do not have to worry about feeding or having a healthy snack to eat.

Fatigue is sometimes more than insufficient sleep or missed meals. Call your health practitioner when you develop:

• Weariness that only increases.
• Despair or depression, or restlessness.
• Symptoms of anemia such as feeling light-headed or pale.
• The problem is with how you behave or how you take care of your baby.

Requesting assistance is a manifestation of power rather than a weakness. You will be able to restore your energy and confidence with the help.

Can breastfeeding make you tired? Absolutely. Breastfeeding fatigue is a common occurrence due to hormonal fluctuations, energy requirements and sleep disturbances.

Although it is normal, fatigue does not necessarily need to characterize your experience with breastfeeding. By focusing on rest, nutrition, and useful tips such as pumping and traveling with a trusted best cooler for breast milk travel, you will likely save energy and take care of yourself.

The fact is that motherhood is not easy, and you need not deal with it without feeling exhausted. With the right tools, support, and self-care in mind, you will be able to remain strong and enjoy these precious moments with your baby to the fullest. Your energy, health and well-being are important to you - use them as part of your process.