headaches & breastfeeding

[theslumbertaker]

hi i've been bfing my dd2 for 4 months now, and have been having pretty awful headaches for most of it. seem to get them pretty much daily. i'm wondering if others have had this? on a previous thread in which i mentioned this, it was suggested that it could be dehydration but i really don't think it is this, as i drink plenty of fluids. i am wondering if it is a hormonal issue relatd to bfing? i am also taking the mini pill.

i am reluctant to take paracetomol every day, so have been only taking something on the really bad days, but it is getting to the point where i feel as though i need pain relief most days now, and if i don't, it affects my functioning considerably.

i'd be pleased to know if anybody else has experienced this whilst bfing, and if so what might help?

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? Have you had your blood pressure etc checked out? When exactly did the headaches start?

Headaches can also be a symptom of lack of sleep, very common of course when you have a small baby.

Did you have an epidural during the birth? There is a condition called epidural headache but I'm not sure exactly of the symptoms.

To know whether or not you are dehydrated, make sure you are weeing loads and it's not dark or smelly urine.

You should really go to the doctor.

hi belgo, thanks for you reply. last checkup was 6 weeks postpartum, and all was fine including blood pressure. headaches started quite early on after dd2 was born, can't remember exactly when, but seems like forever now.

no epidural during labour either so that is ruled out.

i do tend to wee a fair bit, and it isn't really different to normal. have booked an appt with dr tomorrow, but i was just wondering if this was common. i guess maybe it isn't. i am a bit worried now.

It's good you're going to the doctor.

The chances are that the answer is simple: not enough sleep or disturbed sleeping patterns, or as you say, hormones.

Good luck.

My chiropractor noticed I was getting a crick in my neck which was giving me headaches, he suggested sitting up straight and not staring at baby while feeding! He reckons he sees it in a lot of new mums from feeding and pushin prams hunched over. Worth considering if the dr can't see anything (or even if they do, can't go wrong with good posture)

thanks porcelain, that's an interesting angle, hadn't really thought of that. i do seem to be hunched over alot these days!

another avenue i've been looking at is the minipill i have been taking. seems that migraine/headaches and a few other things i have had maybe common side effects (doh!), so i am going to stop taking it and see if that helps