Headache While Breastfeeding: All You Need To Know

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Breastfeeding has proven beneficial effects on both the baby and the mother. However, a headache while breastfeeding may cause discomfort. Body pains after childbirth are normal but may make breastfeeding a difficult experience for new mothers. Lactating mothers may often feel a pulling sensation on their nerves during nursing, and the problem aggravates if a headache accompanies it. You may be skeptical about what is causing the headache and if it is directly related to breastfeeding. If you are constantly being affected by lactation headaches, continue reading this post as we provide you with all the required information about headaches when breastfeeding and suggest ways to deal with the condition.

What Are Breastfeeding Headaches?

A breastfeeding headache occurs during the let-down of the milk. The headache can persist throughout the duration of the feed although it usually improves quickly. It is thought to occur due to a rise in oxytocinⁱHormone released by the hypothalamus in the brain that aids in uterine contraction and lactation levels in the body. Other causes of headaches are not directly related to breastfeeding but are troublesome for the already tired mother, particularly during the initial phase of motherhood.

What Can Cause Headache While Nursing?

Here are the probable causes of a lactation headache:

1. Migraine:

If you had migraines prior to becoming a mother, then the migraines might worsen in the postpartum period. This can be due to hormonal changes or changes in medication, or simply the added stress of transitioning into your new role as a mother.

Treatment: Consult your doctor for appropriate medications if you experience migraines during breastfeeding.

Did you know?

Using Aspirin when breastfeeding is considered unsafe as it is thought to cause Reye's syndromeⁱA rare condition of swelling in the liver and brain leading to loss of consciousness, confusion, or seizures in babies. Reye’s syndrome is a serious condition that causes vomiting, seizures, and sleepiness, in babies (8).

2. Postpartum depression:

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Post-natal depression is a relatively common condition affecting 1 in 4 women in the first 12 months after giving birth. According to a study that was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 13% of the women that were surveyed by health care providers in and around the United States reported depressive symptoms during the postpartum period. Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and being overwhelmed while caring for infants can be accompanied by chronic dull headaches that refuse to go away. If you are concerned that you may be suffering with PPD, then get some familial and professional support.

Treatment: Interestingly, breastfeeding can help alleviate the intensity of a headache since it stabilizes the levels of estrogenⁱA sex hormone responsible for the development of female sexual characteristics in the body (1). However, it does not cure a headache, and you may need to take medication.

3. Mastitis:

Mastitis is the clogging or blockage of milk ducts in the breast due to infection or poor release of milk. The latter case happens if the baby is not fed frequently or is having insufficient feed due to poor latching to the nipple. Milk accumulates within the breast to the point that it blocks the duct, increasing the risk of bacterial infection.

Symptoms of the condition include breast tenderness, fatigue, and headache that could be accompanied by fever (2). There is a dull to sharp breast pain every time the baby suckles or even while pumping milk. Mastitis affects nearly 20% of postpartum women and is most common in the first six weeks after childbirth (3).

Treatment: If you are concerned that you might have mastitis (red, hot, inflamed and painful breasts), particularly if you have a fever, you should consult your medical practitioner as you may need antibiotics. Remember to get plenty of rest and stay well hydrated.

4. Dehydration:

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Breast milk is 88% water, and the milk is all the baby needs to quench his thirst for the first six months of his life (4). Many mothers feel increasingly thirsty when they begin lactation since they need to meet the increased water requirements of their body. Not drinking enough water can lead to mild to severe dehydration, which can cause frequent headaches (5).

Treatment: Drinking sufficient water is the key to satisfying the additional fluid demand. Experts even recommend keeping a glass of water handy whenever you breastfeed your baby. It helps replenish the body with the lost fluids immediately.

5. Fatigue:

Raising a baby is exhausting since you juggle with multiple tasks. You balance life’s important duties with the responsibility of having a baby, and somewhere in the process, you lose precious hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a genuine problem faced during the early parenting years (6).

Mothers can try different breastfeeding positions to take rest whilst feeding. The ‘laid-back nursing position’ and side-lying help the mothers relax whilst the baby is feeding.

Treatment: The best way to prevent a headache from fatigue during breastfeeding is to have ample rest. Speak to your partner about sharing responsibilities or take help from a family member so that you get sufficient sleep.

You may have treated yourself with painkillers every time you had a headache, but since you are a lactating mother, you need to avoid self-medication.

Some underlying medical conditions may also cause headaches in breastfeeding new moms.

Mirasol, a mother of three, shares how persistent headaches after a few days of giving birth to her third child, Mathia, were diagnosed as symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia. She writes, “A few days after I gave birth, I felt so dizzy and had a severe headache. There was a circle-like in my vision and so much discomfort. When my baby had her first check-up, my OB noticed that my face was swollen, the same as my legs and feet. My blood pressure was 170/110! My OB referred me to another doctor (cardio) and gave me medicine for hypertension.

“I thought after I took the medicine for hypertension, my blood pressure would be normal, but I was wrong! I monitored my blood pressure every day, and it did not change. I consulted my OB and a cardiologist; they notified me that I needed to be confined in the hospital. Initial findings of the doctor: hypertensive due to pregnancy. They called it postpartum preeclampsia (i).”

Quick fact

Postpartum PreeclampsiaⁱA pregnancy condition concerning high blood pressure and protein in the urine can also cause headaches with blurry vision or light sensitivity, swelling in hands and face (edema), and shortness of breath (9).

What is the Treatment For Lactation Headache?

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The treatment of a breastfeeding headache lies in addressing the underlying cause of the condition. Painkillers such as paracetamol can help alleviate the ache and make the mother feel better. Seek the advice of a medical practitioner if paracetamol, rest and increased intake of fluids fail to provide relief.

Safe Home Remedies For Lactation Headache

You can follow some home remedies to get relief from a headache during breastfeeding. These do not impact your baby anyway:

1. Massage: This stress-buster can help reduce the intensity of different pains including headaches. You can hire the services of a professional masseuse or just ask your partner for a gentle head massage for pain relief. It can make you feel relaxed when feeding your baby.
   

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2. Drink plenty of water: Keeping yourself hydrated is the best way to prevent headaches that are caused by dehydration. Drinking a glass of water extra will have no harm and instead make you feel fresh.

3. Warm water bath: Soaking in a tub of warm water helps release tension from strained muscles of the body. It also relaxes your body, thus making you feel rejuvenated.

4. Eat food rich in riboflavin: Evidence suggests that eating food rich in riboflavin, also called vitamin B2, can reduce the intensity of headaches especially those caused by migraines (7). Many common food items, such as spinach, lettuce, apples, and milk, are naturally rich in riboflavin and other essential nutrition sources.
   

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5. Good sleep: There is nothing more soothing to the nerves than a sound sleep. Sleep when your baby sleeps. Even a short nap of ten minutes can help you feel fresh.

Infographic: What Can Cause Headache When Nursing And Ways To Treat It

There are several potential causes of headaches during breastfeeding. Read about a few common ones in the following infographic and know how to alleviate them. If your headaches persist or get severe, it may be necessary to speak with a healthcare provider for further advice and treatment. Remember to take care of yourself and prioritize your health.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Joanne AubreyIBCLC

Joanne Aubrey is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), nurse, and a proud mom to three children. She is a member of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) and Lactation Consultants of Great Britain (LCGB).

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Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Anindita GhatakB.Tech

Anindita Ghatak holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. During the course of her studies, she has worked on different research projects in the fields of Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Anindita has over three years of experience writing medical articles for journals.

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