Morning sickness while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding while pregnant | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
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You can carry on breastfeeding while you’re pregnant with your next child, without causing any harm to your toddler or your unborn baby. Here’s what you need to know if you decide to breastfeed while pregnant.
Is it safe to breastfeed while pregnant?
You might choose to breastfeed through your next pregnancy for several reasons. For example, you might unexpectedly fall pregnant while your first baby is still young (it is possible to fall pregnant while breastfeeding, even if your periods haven’t come back). Or you might not be ready to wean your toddler yet (weaning usually happens any time between birth and age 3).
Whatever the reason, it is usually perfectly safe to breastfeed while pregnant. Your body will carry on producing enough milk to nourish your older child, while your unborn baby will get all the nutrients they need from your body.
Breastfeeding does trigger mild contractions. These are safe in uncomplicated pregnancies, but if you are at risk of preterm labour — for example, if you are expecting twins or more, or if you have had a miscarriage or preterm birth in the past — then seek advice from your doctor or midwife.
Looking after your first child
Your breastmilk will still provide your first child with the nutrients they need. However, you are likely to produce less milk as your pregnancy progresses. Also, the content of your milk will change as you start to produce colostrum, and it might taste different. These changes might lead your older child to wean themselves at some point during your pregnancy. This often happens around the 5-month mark.
Colostrum is a natural laxative, so your older child’s poo might be more liquid than normal.
This is nothing to worry about.
If your older child is less than 1 year of age when you fall pregnant, keep a close watch to make sure they’re putting on enough weight after your milk changes. You may need to introduce extra feeds if they are still relying on breastmilk for their nutrition. Talk to your maternal child health nurse for advice.
How to look after yourself
Breastfeeding while pregnant can make your breasts sore and your nipples tender. You might find you are even more tired or experience worse morning sickness than you normally would during pregnancy.
These side effects are due to your pregnancy hormones. They may clear up after the first trimester, but for some women they last the entire pregnancy. It can help if you make sure your older child is attached well, or change your position while breastfeeding.
You can look after yourself by eating well, making sure you are well hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. You don’t need to take lots of vitamin or mineral supplements — your body will adjust to making breastmilk and nourishing your unborn baby at the same time.
After the baby is born
You can keep feeding your older child after the baby is born. This is called tandem feeding. Your newborn will still get all the colostrum they need. You don’t have to limit your older child to one side.
There are different ways of tandem feeding. You could feed both children at the same time (you might need some cushions to prop you up or you might find it easier lying down). Or you could feed the newborn first and then your older child.
You might find your older child wants to feed all the time because you have a lot of milk. If you like, you can limit their feeds. You might also find that your newborn has trouble coping with your let down reflex because you are producing so much milk. You could try feeding your older child first then attaching the newborn to the other breast after the milk has started to flow.
How to wean your older child
If you decide to wean your older child, it’s a good idea to do this while you’re still pregnant so they don’t have to cope with so many adjustments after the baby is born.
If you would like to encourage your older child to wean while you are pregnant, you could try weaning them slowly by delaying feeds or encouraging shorter feeds. If your child is old enough, explain to them that your breasts feel sore.
For more tips, see weaning.
More information
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse for advice and support.
Sources:
American Pregnancy Association (Breastfeeding while pregnant), Australian Breastfeeding Association (Breastfeeding through pregnancy and beyond)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: November 2020
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Related pages
- Weaning
- Breastfeeding your baby
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The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.
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What causes nausea while breastfeeding—and how to treat it
Nobody said nursing would be easy, but what if you’re feeling downright sick? We’ve got some expert advice on this rarely-talked-about symptom.
You’ve finally mastered how to get your baby to latch and how to hold her steady while she feeds and you barely fumble now when you undo your nursing bra. You think you’re finally getting the hang of things, but you can’t figure out why breastfeeding is making you feel so, well, barfy.
“It’s not a common symptom, but some women experience nausea with the letdown reflex,” says Susan Guest, a lactation consultant and clinical nurse specialist with the Women’s and Infants’ Health Program at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. “It’s related to the release of the hormone oxytocin, which also stimulates the gut to get gastric secretions going and has the potential to cause nausea,” she explains.
Breastfeeding nausea is common during those first few weeks of nursing when you are also extremely tired and may forget to drink enough liquids (causing dehydration) or skip meals. Unfortunately, all of these things can exacerbate an upset stomach.
How to treat nausea during breastfeeding
If you’re sick of feeling, well, sick, there are some remedies that can help soothe your breastfeeding nausea. “It’s similar to the nausea that some women experience during pregnancy,” says Guest. She suggests that moms revert to the advice they followed to treat morning sickness. For women who are dealing with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, Motherisk, a clinical research and teaching program at SickKids in Toronto, recommends nibbling on small snacks every one to two hours. Guest recommends sticking to carbohydrate-rich foods with a protein, such as plain crackers and toast with cheese or hummus. Experts at Motherisk say that cold drinks, ice chips and Popsicles can reduce the metallic taste in your mouth associated with nausea.
Drinking fluids separately from your meals is also key. According to Motherisk, nauseous moms should wait 20 to 30 minutes after a small snack before sipping water, tea or juice to reduce feelings of fullness, which can increase gas, bloating, acid reflux and nausea.
It might take a bit of trial and error to figure out when to eat to soothe your stomach. Some women prefer eating before they breastfeed, while others find it better if they eat afterwards, says Guest. “You may even want to nibble on a piece of bread or a cracker while baby feeds,” she says. “That can often help.”
Wearing acupressure wrist bands (like the ones typically used for motion sickness) can also ease this type of nausea. “A cup of ginger tea is helpful because it quells nausea and is a galactagogue [meaning it increases milk supply], which is a bonus,” says Guest. Other home remedies for morning sickness, such as sipping peppermint tea and nibbling on parsley, should be avoided because they’ve been known to reduce a mother’s milk supply.
You should talk to your doctor if the nausea persists when you’re not nursing because this could signal an iron deficiency or low blood pressure. “Neither of these would be uncommon for postpartum moms,” says Guest. You may also want to rule out a new pregnancy if you’ve resumed sexual activity. Since nausea and sore or swollen breasts are common symptoms of mastitis, you might be worried if you have the breast tissue infection. But Guest says that mastitis usually feels more like you have the flu, with chills or fever, so it’s not likely that this is what’s causing you to feel so barfy.
If you feel nauseous when you nurse and are sure it’s caused by the letdown reflex, there is some good news: It won’t last. Usually, breastfeeding nausea stops six to eight weeks after you start nursing, when your hormones settle down and you get more sleep, so relief is coming.
Read more:
What to expect when you get your period while breastfeeding
I breastfed my baby for 11 months—and hated every minute of it
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FILED UNDER: Breastfeeding breastfeeding problems Maternal health Nausea Postpartum
Why can there be nausea during breastfeeding? How to get rid of it?
Some women may experience nausea after childbirth, especially during breastfeeding. The reason is not in lactation, but in various factors associated with it - for example, lifestyle changes, hormonal changes in the body, etc.
Nausea Home Remedies for Nursing Mothers
The following natural remedies have traditionally been used by mothers for nausea, but have not been scientifically proven to be effective.
- Ginger tea
Ginger tea may be helpful in reducing the urge to vomit. In addition, it is a "galactagogue", which means that it helps increase breast milk production.
- Mint tea
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies mint tea as "generally recognized as safe." However, its excessive use can, on the contrary, increase nausea and lead to heartburn and vomiting.
- Aroma oils
The smell of some aromatic oils, such as lemon, mint, cardamom, and others, often relieves discomfort. Oils are recommended to be consumed in moderation, keeping at a safe distance from the child - in order to avoid accidental swallowing.
- Other methods
Sucking on a slice of lemon, eating instant carbohydrates (such as crackers or toast), drinking water (plain, boiled, or infused with cucumber, mint leaves, lemon) are also ways to relieve nausea for some.
Talk to your doctor before using any of these home remedies. If you suddenly find a decrease or change in the production of breast milk, or notice an effect on the child, you should stop the "treatment".
Can I take medicine for nausea while breastfeeding?
Never self-medicate.
Doctors usually prescribe domperidone and metoclopramide because they are considered safe and do not harm the nursing baby.
The drugs are used for a short time and only on prescription.
Observe the infant for several hours after taking the medicine to see if there are any side effects such as drowsiness, etc.
What causes nausea while breastfeeding?
Some possible causes of breastfeeding nausea are:
- Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone that signals the maternal breast to produce milk. This phenomenon is known as "milk slump" or "milk ejection reflex". The hormone can lead to certain changes in the mother's body, one of which is nausea.
- Dehydration
Dehydration can occur due to fluid loss during breastfeeding, which also provokes bouts of nausea.
- Hunger
The average breastfeeding mother needs 400 to 500 extra calories per day. Not enough diet to meet additional calorie needs can lead to hunger, and an empty stomach is known to cause nausea.
Hunger can also increase the risk of acid reflux, which can lead to heartburn and vomiting.
- Fatigue
Lack of sleep and fatigue are among the most common conditions for breastfeeding mothers. They can, in addition to other triggers, cause nausea.
- Increase milk production
As the child grows, the need for nutrition increases. Increasing breast milk production can further alter hormones, thereby increasing the likelihood of nausea.
- Postpartum depression
A doctor may prescribe antidepressants for mothers with postpartum depression. Although these medicines are safe for a child, they can have nausea among the side effects for a woman.
- Pregnancy
If nausea and vomiting continue for several weeks or months after delivery, a pregnancy test is the wisest course of action. Although most women experience nausea during pregnancy, it gets worse when the position is accompanied by breastfeeding.
How to get rid of nausea while breastfeeding?
To combat nausea while feeding, follow these guidelines:
- Take a few sips of water during a feeding session. You can also drink homemade sugar-free fresh juices, soups, broths, etc. to keep yourself in good shape.
- Keep on hand crackers, dried fruit, etc., which will help to quickly get rid of the feeling of hunger.
- Eat healthy and nutritious food. Avoid fatty and spicy foods that can lead to gastroesophageal reflux and nausea.
- Rest as much as possible. Sleep during baby's "silent sleep".
- Nausea during breastfeeding can also be treated with the same remedies that you have already tried during pregnancy.
References:
- Noel M. Lee and Sumona Saha, Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy; US National Library of Medicine
- Paritakul P et al., The Effect of Ginger on Breast Milk Volume in the Early Postpartum Period: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial; US National Library of Medicine
- Peppermint; National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.
S. National Library of Medicine
- Safety in Lactation: Drugs used in nausea and vertigo; National Health Service
- Kerstin Uvnas Moberg and Danielle K. Prime, Oxytocin effects in mothers and infants during breastfeeding; The Infant Journal
- Dehydration; US National Library of Medicine
- Losing Weight While Breast-feeding; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Postnatal depression; Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
- Pregnant and Breastfeeding?; La Leche League
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Are you pregnant? Early signs of pregnancy.
Finally! Your period is delayed. If you want a baby, there is great hope that you will get pregnant this time. A pregnancy test will soon show you more. At the same time, you can observe yourself - perhaps you have already noticed any changes. Your body usually clearly shows you that fertilization has taken place. Most of the signs are associated with an increase in hormone levels.
Of course, not every sign means you are pregnant. But the more typical symptoms you notice, the more likely it is. However, in the end, only a doctor can make the final decision: "You're pregnant - congratulations!"
Share this information
Uncertain early signs of pregnancy
The first signs of pregnancy are as varied as they are vague. Often the early signs of pregnancy appear even before the missed period. These may be early symptoms of pregnancy:
- Nausea and vomiting
- "Leady" tiredness and fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Increased food cravings and unusual eating habits
- Sensitive breasts and darkened nipples smell and taste
- Abdominal cramps, slight bleeding and discharge
- Growth of hair and nails
- Changes in skin condition
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
- Bloating or constipation
- Poor sleep
Nausea and vomiting for the first time 9017 9017 in the cinema: the heroine hurriedly runs away, she suddenly feels sick.
She doesn't know she's having a baby yet, but everyone in the movie theater has already taken the hint. In fact, nausea is not so typical. Some women feel very ill, others tend to feel a little sick.
"Lead" fatigue and fatigue
Are you as tired during the day as if you had sat up all night? The sofa is calling you at noon, and your eyes start to close as if by magic? An overwhelming need for sleep is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. If you notice unusual tiredness or fatigue, you may be pregnant.
Frequent urination
You constantly have to run to the toilet, even if you drink no more than usual. This can be another early sign of pregnancy: once the embryo is implanted, the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is released, which makes you go to the toilet more often.
Food cravings and unusual food cravings
Is your body just screaming for chocolate or would you get up at night to buy greasy chips at the gas station? Or do you have other unusual food addictions ? Bingo! It is possible that you are pregnant.
Many women report strange eating habits as early signs of pregnancy : for example, they pour hot salsa straight out of a jar or, being convinced vegetarians, feel an irresistible craving to bite straight from a hearty salami stick.
Sensitive breasts and darkened nipples
Your breasts may also show early signs of pregnancy. Pay attention to the following symptoms: the breast begins to thicken and fill up, as before menstruation. To the touch, the mammary glands are more plump and large and very sensitive to touch. Your Areola often looks darker than usual The opposite symptom - discoloration - can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance or a previous pregnancy.
Changes in smell and taste
Every day you find that detergent smells unbearably . Or you complain to your husband that he has been bathing in cologne lately. Are you familiar with this? Sensitivity to odors is common in early pregnancy .
Some women get a strange metallic taste in their mouths . Another early sign of pregnancy can also be a sudden aversion to alcohol or tobacco.
Abdominal cramps, slight bleeding and discharge
Pulling in the abdomen, as if menstruation is about to begin. You think disappointedly: "It didn't work out with the child again!". Or you even notice a small spot or highlights. But day after day passes, and there are still no periods. Then these symptoms may be early signs of pregnancy. These symptoms are usually harmless and are caused by the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. If you want to be on the safe side, try not to strain yourself and avoid exercise. If you notice anything unusual, see your doctor.
Elevated basal body temperature
You can find out if you are pregnant by regularly measuring your basal body temperature: if in the morning after waking up for eighteen days your temperature is higher than usual , then most likely you are pregnant.
When do the early signs of pregnancy appear?
It is impossible to say exactly in which week of pregnancy certain symptoms of pregnancy appear. When the first signs of pregnancy appear and whether they appear at all depends on the individual woman. However, the early symptoms of pregnancy can be roughly attributed to the following weeks.
4th week: implantation pain and slight bleeding, breast tenderness.
5th and 6th weeks: mood swings, fatigue, hunger, nausea and vomiting
7th and 8th weeks: nausea, circulation problems, dizziness, low blood pressure, insomnia , frequent urination,
Weeks 9 and 10: breast changes, nausea, shortness of breath
Weeks 11 and 12: bloating, constipation
The three surest signs of pregnancy
There are many early symptoms of pregnancy, but the surest signs of how to understand that you are still pregnant:
1.
