after pains when breastfeeding

[moonymama]

hi all

I had my second babe on Sunday night and ever since have some really uncomfortable period pains whenever I'm breastfeeding. Has anyone else experienced this, how long will it last and any tips for making it feel a bit better??

I don't remember this last time. Is it just my uterus shrinking back???

ta much

Until someone more qualified comes along I would say it is completely normal, and another reason why breastfeeding is good for you and baby as it helps to shrink the uterus. With my last baby they were very noticeable for about a week. Congratulations!

It's your uterus shrinking back. look heresays 4 to 6 weeks, but I don't remember having the for that long. Its still early days though

If you're concerned, though, you should mention them to your midwife or health visitor

yep
on 2nd baby my afterpains were much worse (esp when bf'in)

I took to holding a hot water bottle on my stomach IRRC

(congrats btw I second it lasts a few days to about a week)

the pain that is NOT the shrinking

yes totally normal- take some paracetamol- don't worry they do go soon ... i'm afraid if you ever have anymore babies it tends to get a bit worse each time (prob why you didnt remember having them first time around)- well that was my experience.

congrats BTW!

Normal - afterpains when feeding, especially in the early days are MUCH worse with 2nd babies - and more so with 3rd I think,

Take some paracetomol abotu 20 mins before a feed and it will really help.

They do die down though after a week or so.

Afterpains much worse with second babies, I took paracetamol and that seemed to help. Mine went after about 5-6 days.

I think the hormones your body produces when bfeeding are the same ones that shrink your uterus, so that's why you feel it more when feeding. As other people have said it's worse with second babies.
With dd1 I barely noticed them, with ds they were AGONY like being in labour again, was a bit worried about dd2 as I heard they were even worse after number three, however again I barely noticed them. (ds was very big though so there was ALOT of shrinking required )

It's also a very good sign that feeding is going well, and your body is getting back to normal.

Completely normal, and as twinklegreen says it's a good sign that feeding is going well. I was always thrilled to get them when I started BFing DD as it wasn't going very smoothly, but I knew when the afterpains started that she was latched on and getting milk . I think they only lasted 4 or 5 days.

I had after pains with DD (my first, but I had a physiological 3rd stage) and found paracetamol & hot water bottle really helpful, they went within a few days. Congratulations btw!!

The afterpains get worse with every baby you have. They should settle down after a few days. The pain with dd4 were unbelievable but they didn't last more than 5-6 days.