Headaches whilst breast feeding

[aprilfoolsbaby]

Has anyone experienced this?

I'm breastfeeding my 9 day old DD and get quite painful headaches as I'm doing so. Initially I pretty much had a headache all the time which were made worse by BF but now they go in between feeds.

They seem to come after that woozy hormonal feeling and stay until I stop BF.

I just wondered has anyone else had this and do they subside as time goes on?

I did google this and found an article on an australian website suggesting it could be due to the release of oxytocin.

Any ideas anyone?

Dehydration?

This was my first thought aswell, but increasing my fluid intake hasn't helped.

Thanks nell12

No idea aprilfoolsbaby but bump for you.

Hi

I never had full blown headaches but at first I could definitely feel something going on up there, espcially - as you say - when the hormones kick in. It got better as BF went onv-vhardly get it at all now. It is also very easy to get headaches when dehydrated and it is quite easy to get dehydrated when BF so do drink water when you;re thirsty.

I was going to say dehydration too but if not that could it be postural? Maybe the way you are holding your neck?

I came to say I had migraines for the only time in my life - whilst bf, although not literaly as you describe during a feed and not at any other time.
blardy hormones

if concerned ask mw or gp?

I'd say a number of things

1 - drink more, LOTS more

2 - your posture will give you back ache , over shoulder blades, up into neck, this can cause headaches

3 - hormones still coursing through you

4 - tiredness setting in and this will give oyu headaches

Use something called 4head which you rub on temples, Tiger Balm does same thing.

Have long chilled baths in the evening, put t-bags or cumber over eyes

Get as much sleep as you can

Maybe try a bit on Indian head massage, head.neck/shoulder massage

i should think that if they are caused by bf / post pg hormones then will subside soonish. am more bumping than answering though!

Thanks for your replies. Midwife is coming today so I'll ask her - i don't hold out much hope for advice from her though. She's useless!