Raging hot flushes at night whilst breastfeeding causing insomnia

[MoiraScarff]

Hello,

I'm hoping somebody might be able to help me.

I'm experiencing horrific night hot flushes. (My son was born 6 months ago and I'm still breastfeeding exclusively.) Sometimes it's just my feet and hands but sometimes it's my whole body literally on fire in bed - I feel like I'm sleeping in a toastie maker. Even in our baltic house I'm still using the 4 tog summer duvet and sometimes have to just lie there naked to cool off! It's stopping me sleeping for hours on end (which is just what you need when your baby is waking every 3 hours too, isn't it) and I'm starting to fall apart. I did also experience the hot feet thing for most of my pregnancy. I guess it's raging hormones but is this really to be expected? I don't want to quit BF but I think I'd seriously consider it for my own sanity if it would solve the problem...

Has anybody else experienced this and/or have medical knowledge who can help me out?

Many, many thanks,
Moira

I had that both times. It's was ugh. Mine started about 8 weeks after birth and only fully disappeared 3 months after I stopped BFing.

It's the hormones. It's something to do with high progesterone and lower oestrogen and the crash of oestrogen you experience in the months after birth/pregnancy. Breast feeding hormone keeps progesterone high too.

Apparently some of the "symptoms" are similar to menopause. That's how my GP charmingly described it.

Didn't find anything to help it sadly because you can't take anything whilst BFing.

I sweated like a pig.

I found towels in my bed both to lie on and on top of me instead of duvet really helped as it whicked some of the moisture away from me. Towels were not as warm as a duvet either.

And rather than disturbing your sleep by having a shower in the middle of the night to cool off, I found a cold wet face cloth and a quick wipe over the sweatiest parts did just as well.

And a large drink of water.

Totally normal for me too I sleep in a towel and freshen up with baby wipes (have with nappies by dc3's Cribb). It's a little better now he's having food but at night he just wants to bf. One if the delightful things no-one tells you about!! Think it eased when older dc were about 8/9 months but only when I fibusged bf at night

On a towel grr!!

Thanks ladies. Good to know it's not JUST me anyway!