What Causes Nausea While Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding offers many rewards, but it can also come with a few surprises. Some nursing mothers notice unexpected waves of nausea just as they start to feed or pump milk for their infants. Feeling queasy during lactation can be confusing, especially after finally figuring out the basics of holding, latching, and caring for a baby.

This uneasy feeling is sometimes linked to hormone changes, particularly as oxytocin helps with the letdown reflex and milk flow. At the same time, being low on sleep, hungry, or dehydrated can make symptoms worse. Understanding why breastfeeding can trigger nausea and how to manage these discomforts can help breastfeeding mothers feel more confident and comfortable as they nourish their babies.

Is Nausea Common While Breastfeeding?

Some breastfeeding mothers notice sudden waves of nausea during or just before nursing sessions, especially in the early postpartum weeks. This queasy feeling may seem unexpected after finally settling into a feeding routine, but it can be part of the body’s natural response to lactation.

Several internal changes may contribute to this discomfort. Hormone shifts, particularly the release of oxytocin during letdown, can briefly upset the stomach. Fatigue, dehydration, or going too long without eating may also make nausea more likely.

While these sensations are often mild, it’s still important to recognize when nausea might signal something more serious — those signs are explained later in the article.

Main Reasons for Feeling Nauseous While Nursing

Hormonal Changes After Birth

Hormones like oxytocin and prolactin shift while a person is breastfeeding. These changes can affect the stomach and sometimes make a person feel sick or uneasy, especially in the early weeks of nursing. The hormones involved in milk production may also impact other systems in the body, leading to queasiness.

Not Enough Fluids or Nutrients

Breastfeeding uses up a lot of water and nutrients. If a person does not drink enough or eat balanced meals, dehydration and low vitamin or mineral levels can occur. Both dehydration and nutritional gaps can make someone feel nauseous.

Hunger and Drops in Blood Sugar

Nursing usually burns extra calories. If a person goes too long without eating, their blood sugar may drop. Low blood sugar can cause dizziness, weakness, and nausea, making it important to have regular snacks and meals.

Exhaustion and Sleep Deprivation

Taking care of a newborn often means less sleep and more exhaustion. Fatigue can cause the body to feel off-balance. Feeling extremely tired may make a person more sensitive to nausea.

Letdown Response and Milk Release

When milk starts to flow, some people experience the letdown reflex, which may cause a wave of nausea for a short time. This feeling is usually temporary and linked to the fast changes happening when milk is released.

Stress, Mood, and Mental Factors

Adjusting to breastfeeding and caring for a new baby can bring stress or anxiety. These emotional changes can have physical effects, and some people feel sick to their stomach due to nerves or mood shifts. Breathing exercises and relaxation can help manage these feelings.

Other Medical Causes of Nausea

Breast Tissue Infections or Inflammation

Some breastfeeding individuals may develop issues like mastitis or abscesses. These problems can lead to flu-like symptoms such as nausea, fever, and chills. Infections in the breast often require medical care, including antibiotics or other treatments, to help reduce discomfort and treat the root cause. Recognizing symptoms early can help with quicker recovery and prevent complications.

Side Effects from Medications

Certain medicines, including pain relief drugs, antibiotics, or hormone treatments, can trigger nausea as a side effect. It’s important to review any new medications with a healthcare provider, especially while breastfeeding. If nausea starts after beginning a new medication, a doctor can help adjust the treatment plan to find safer options that do not impact breastfeeding.

Other Health Issues After Childbirth

Some health conditions that begin after delivery, such as thyroid imbalance or diabetes, may also cause nausea. Postpartum hormones can affect how the body feels, and conditions like thyroid problems can change metabolism and energy levels, sometimes leading to queasiness. Monitoring these symptoms and talking with a healthcare provider can help identify and treat underlying health concerns.

Ways to Ease Nausea While Breastfeeding

Changing Eating Patterns and Food Choices

Eating small, frequent meals can help keep nausea under control. Foods that are plain, like crackers, toast, or rice, are often easier on the stomach. Some people find ginger products, such as ginger tea or chews, useful for calming mild nausea. If certain smells or foods trigger a queasy feeling, avoiding them can help reduce discomfort.

Keeping Up with Fluids

Drinking enough fluids is important to avoid dehydration, which can make nausea worse. Sipping small amounts of water, clear broth, or diluted juice throughout the day may be easier than drinking a full glass at once. If water is hard to tolerate, mild drinks like weak tea or oral rehydration solutions can help.

Drink IdeasThings to Avoid
Plain waterSugary sodas
Diluted juiceCaffeinated drinks
Herbal teas (ginger)High-fat milkshakes

Prioritizing Rest and Good Sleep

Resting when possible can help reduce stress and manage feeling sick. Short naps, especially when the baby sleeps, may provide relief. Making time to relax, taking slow, deep breaths, or lying down for a little while can have a calming effect and may lessen nausea symptoms.

Coping with Milk Letdown Discomfort

The letdown reflex can sometimes bring on queasiness. Breastfeeding in a calm space, sitting in a relaxed position, and practicing slow breathing may make letdown feel more comfortable. If symptoms occur often during letdown, keeping distractions minimal and focusing on staying calm can be helpful.

Using Remedies and Medications Safely

Some over-the-counter options like antacids and certain H2 blockers may be considered safe while breastfeeding, but it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. Ginger and peppermint teas are natural options that many use for mild nausea, but always check for possible allergies. More severe or ongoing nausea should be discussed with a medical professional to see if prescription medicine is needed.

Simple Ways to Feel Better While Nursing

Natural Approaches to Settle the Stomach

Many mothers feel sick to their stomach while breastfeeding. Some gentle remedies can help ease these feelings. Sipping small amounts of ginger tea or sucking on peppermint candies may calm the stomach. Eating bland foods, such as dry toast or bananas, and avoiding heavy, spicy, or greasy meals can also help reduce nausea.

Staying hydrated is important, but it may help to wait about 20 to 30 minutes after eating a snack before drinking water or juice.

Nursing Positions for More Comfort

Adjusting the way a mother breastfeeds may help with feelings of sickness. Some women feel better sitting upright, which can help prevent stomach acid from rising. Others might try laying back slightly or using extra pillows for support.

Side-lying or reclining positions are also options if sitting up is difficult. Testing different positions helps some women find what makes them feel less unwell during and after a feeding session.

Value of Support and Reducing Worry

Feeling supported by family and friends can make a big difference for moms who feel sick while nursing. Sharing worries or asking for help with daily tasks can lower stress. High stress can make nausea worse, so practicing relaxation skills like deep breathing may help.

A calm, quiet environment during feeding times may also ease uncomfortable feelings. Everyone in the home can help by understanding the mother’s situation and offering help when needed.

When to Contact a Healthcare Professional

Signs That Need Quick Medical Help

Some warning signs during breastfeeding should not be ignored. If nausea is joined by severe vomiting, sharp stomach pain, chest pain, confusion, trouble breathing, or fainting, it is important to get medical help right away. Signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, dark urine, or dizziness when standing, also need quick attention.

If a breastfeeding mother cannot keep any food or fluids down for more than a day, especially with a high fever or ongoing diarrhea, a visit to a healthcare provider is urgent. Unexplained weight loss or a sudden drop in milk supply are additional reasons to seek prompt care.

Getting Ready for Your Doctor Visit

Before seeing a healthcare professional, it helps to write down symptoms, including how long they have lasted and how bad they are. Bringing a list of any medicines, vitamins, or supplements being used is useful. Also, noting any changes in diet, stress, or sleep patterns can help the doctor find possible triggers.

During the appointment, be ready to discuss any health changes since starting breastfeeding. It can also help to list any questions or concerns to make sure all issues get discussed with the healthcare provider.


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