Fatigue During Breastfeeding-Everything A Mother Should Be Aware Of
5 min read
Being a mother is the biggest bliss of a woman’s and she is considered complete after she attains this position. But just like all good things have tough counterparts, so is the case with pregnancy. This phase is encased by umpteen emotional as well as physical changes and yet is the most beautiful phase of a woman’s life. Nursing is a thread that weaves the mother and the baby together for life.
Breastfeeding is an important phase which is highly beneficial not only for the baby but also for the mother. You can find out the ways breastfeeding benefits mother here.
Since it has many benefits, it is natural to be a giving a tough time to the mothers while they nurse or breastfeeding with symptoms like tiredness.
So let us have a look at the meaning of breastfeeding, its importance, and reasons leading to fatigue, and the methods to restore the lost energy while nursing.
What Are The Reasons For Fatigue During Breastfeeding?
The delight of being a mother does not end at pregnancy, and all the puffiness of eyes and sleepless nights are still not over. The fatigue that is witnessed post pregnancy is common among the women who are breastfeeding. This is, however, a temporary phase and subsides in a few weeks. Still, it is of concern to know the reasons behind the fatigue while breastfeeding. Some of them are listed as under:
Unhealthy Diet during breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is crucial for both the mother and the baby so it becomes important to avoid unhealthy foods and eat nutritious food in order to be less fatigued and they are:
- A diet full of nutrients, vitamins, proteins, calcium, iron and fiber-rich foods which provide maximum energy.
- Avoid oily and junk food as it makes the body sluggish and deprives of energy.
Anemia due to blood loss during childbirth: One very significant reason to feel fatigued while breastfeeding is also due to the loss of blood that happens while delivery, which can also cause anemia. This can, however, be combated with proper iron supplements or food that have more of iron content, for example, beans, seafood, chickpeas, spinach, red meat, lentils, dates etc.
Thyroid problem: It is important to get the thyroid check after the delivery as it can lead to Hyperthyroidism which can stimulate sleeplessness and severe fatigue. In case proper care is taken, the doctor can prescribe medication which can help to keep the thyroid levels under control and make you feel less fatigued.
Breast Infections during Lactating periods: Another very common reason is breast infections and ailments that happen during the course of breastfeeding leading to fatigue. One of the common ones are:
Mastitis: Mastitis occurs with the onset of weaning. The process leads to breast engorgement, blocked ducts or mastitis if it happens too sudden. This, however, does not affect the milk supply, yet gives way to breast tenderness, high fever, swelling, and pain. If immediate medical guidance is taken on the onset of these symptoms, the doctor can prescribe antibiotics in order to fight the infections.
[Source: https://in.pinterest.com/explore/painful-breastfeeding/?lp=true].
Lack of sleep after your delivery: The arrival of the baby changes the whole life of a mother. It is difficult for her to get the right amount of rest and sleep as initially babies have to be fed or need diaper changes and become worse if the baby develops symptoms of colic or has to feed on demand. All babies are different so their ways to engage the mother also varies. It is thus advised for the mothers to sleep when the baby sleeps or tell someone else in the family or a friend or even a nanny to be with the baby so the mother can sleep peacefully for an hour or two.
How To Regain Energy While Breastfeeding
It is a good option to nurse the new-born and provide him with all the nutrients that help in boosting the immunity and also assist in proper growth and development. However, in this process maximum energy gets drained out making the mother sluggish, and tired. Some very helpful tips to restore the lost energy are as follows:
Diet Matters: Eat right food- It is important to have a proper diet which is a combination of minerals, nutrients, protein for enhancing the energy levels, fiber-rich foods help in digestion. Given below is a table that can be followed for a proper diet while breastfeeding.
Source:https://in.pinterest.com/pin/326933254193695438/
Keep yourself hydrated: Drink a lot of water- Water is always a solution to most of the health issues. Dehydration is the major cause when less water is consumed which drains all the energy also stimulating fatigue. Drinking water helps in boosting the energy levels and keep the mother hydrated at all times. It is advised to consume almost 14 cups of water while breastfeeding.
Exercise boosts your energy:Rigorous exercise does lead to fatigue and drains energy, however, a light and healthy exercise enhances the energy levels and even help in combating against stress, depression as well as fatigue.
What Are The Foods That Help To Combat Fatigue During Pregnancy?
Here is a list of superfood that helps to combat fatigue during breastfeeding:
Banana:
Have one or two bananas daily during the breastfeeding phase.
- Banana is a rich in potassium. Potassium is a vital mineral that helps to transfer the sugar into energy.
- Banana is loaded with Vitamin C, fiber, Vitamin B, omega-3 fatty acids, and carbohydrates. All these elements help you beat fatigue, tiredness, and dehydration during breastfeeding.
- Banana contains natural sugars like fructose, sucrose, and glucose, which can act as a quick energy booster.
Green Tea:
Having a cup of refreshing green tea, you can effectively combat fatigue during breastfeeding
- Green tea is a rich source of polyphenols, which helps to bring down the stress, enhance the concentration and boost the energy.
- Green tea has components that can raise your metabolic rate
Oatmeal:
A bowl of Oatmeal a day is very beneficial to combat fatigue.
- Oatmeal is a rich source of glycogen, an excellent carbohydrate. Glycogen is capable to supply fuel to the brain and muscles for the whole day, thereby, helps to combat fatigue.
- Oatmeal is loaded with the energy-boosting nutrients like phosphorous, magnesium, Vitamin B1, and protein
Yogurt:
Have a bowl or two of yogurt daily.
- Yogurt is well known to fight the warning signs of fatigue.
- You can eat fat-free yogurt any time of the day.
- You can make smoothies of your choice with it.
- You can add some fresh fruits and nuts to your to make it more nutritious
Thus, it can be said that breastfeeding process can be made a smoother and a memorable one by monitoring the diet, with the love and support of the near and dear ones and by keeping healthy, fit and happy. After all “Breastfeeding is not a choice but a responsibility and it isn’t just about the milk but a lot to do with love and warmth”
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