Restless legs while breastfeeding

[Bakingabubba]

I have been breastfeeding my DS since he was born five weeks ago and have what I can only assume is restless legs. Weirdly it only happens when I am feeding but I get a creeping, crawling sensation right up my leg (generally on the side that I am feeding). It drives me to distraction, especially during cluster feeds in the evening. It does tend to be worse in the evening, I guess because I am more tired? Mercifully it isn't stopping me sleeping but as I spend quite a lot of my time feeding at the moment it is fairly unpleasant. I never had this during pregnancy either. Weird.

Anyone else have RL while feeding? I can't find much about it online, only for during pregnancy. Any advice or just some reassurance that I'm not the only one would be great. Thanks all.

You're not alone! I get this and haven't found a solution (my dd is nearly 9 months). It's almost unbearable when she goes in for a long feed. It's not painful as such but just like having an itch you can't scratch and it makes me feel agitated and spiky. Feeding as I type and have the sensation now.

I get this from time to time and it was awful during pregnancy. Haven't noticed it's worse while breastfeeding though. It's sometimes associated with deficiency in iron in particular, but also magnesium, b12 and folate so that maybe worth looking at.

Thanks both for your replies . elastic it's good to know in not alone but sorry to hear you are uncomfortable too! Mine isn't painful either - an itch you can't scratch is a good description of it.

gunpowder I will definitely look into those things. I have my postnatal check up next week so will discuss it with the GP. Have some spatone in the cupboard so maybe taking that might help in the meantime?

Yes! Spatone is amazing and the only iron that doesn't make me sick! Wishing you calm legs tonight

I've had this on occasion while bf, however, I suffer from restless legs anyway. My problem is that I suffer from morning sickness when I breastfeed. No one has ever given me any reason why. Currently bf 20mth dd4 and still get it when I let down. In fact,it is the only ay I know that I let down!

I've spent around four years breastfeeding and it has always been the same.

I didn't get restless legs but did get weird insomnia while breastfeeding and a magnesium supplement sorted it out - apparently BF women have a much higher need for magnesium than usual. Might be worth a try?

I had it with both of mine, just put it down to being tired and ended up dropping the evening feed and replacing it with formula as a result with dd1; it has stopped with dd2 who is ebf, but I started taking the pregnacare for breast feeding mothers, not sure if that had anything to do with it!

I was wondering about taking pregnacare orchard based on what other have said about iron, vitamin B12, magnesium etc. Interesting that yours improving coincided with taking it. Thanks everyone for the advice - maybe will try some supplementing and see how I get on...

Well after about a week of spatone I'm happy to report that things are vastly improved not resolved completely but much, much better. Even got through the 6 week growth spurt cluster feeds without too much difficulty. Thanks all for your help and advice.