Breastfeeding causes these 7 changes in the mother's body

Pregnancy will make a lot of changes to your body. Likewise when breastfeeding. Most women who are just breastfeeding their babies for the first time will probably be surprised by all the changes that are happening to their bodies. Even so, that doesn't mean changes are bad or dangerous - as long as you know how to deal with them.

Various changes in the mother's body during breastfeeding

1. Chafed or sore nipples

The nipples are prone to chafing and irritation, especially if this is your first time breastfeeding a baby. The skin of the nipple is thinner and filled with more nerve endings than any other area of the skin. New, unfamiliar stimuli, such as breastfeeding, can make the nipple more sensitive and prone to injury.

Chafed nipples can also be the result of wrong breastfeeding. In addition, improper breast care can also cause damage to the nipple area.

Even so don't worry. After a week or two, the discomfort you feel in your breasts should slowly go away. You can compress the breast with a warm towel to relieve the pain. Also, choose a bra with good support.

2. Swollen breasts

To support your breastfeeding period, the body will produce more of the hormone prolactin, which produces breast milk. This will also make your breasts appear enlarged or swollen and feel solid and firm. Some mothers also feel pain. Sometimes, the nipples also become flat or not too protruding, making it difficult to breastfeed.

If during breastfeeding the breasts are still swollen, you can try expressing the milk by hand or using a pump to relieve your discomfort. Swelling that is left alone can increase the risk of mastitis (inflammation of the breast).

3. Breast milk often comes out suddenly

As explained above, your breasts will produce a lot of milk while breastfeeding the baby. It is not uncommon for an abundant intake of breast milk to make many women complain of "leaky" breasts. This is normal, but leaking breast milk can leak into your clothes, which may interfere with your appearance a little.

The easiest way to deal with it is by breastfeeding. However, if sikon does not allow you to breastfeed your baby, you can express milk and pour it into a bottle as a backup.

4. Stomach cramps

Breastfeeding increases your body's production of the hormone oxytocin. This hormone will help the uterus shrink back to its normal size as before pregnancy. This makes your stomach feel pain like cramps. It may feel a little uncomfortable, but this is a sign that your body is healing.

5. Increase / decrease in body weight

Breastfeeding burns about 300 to 500 calories per day, and studies have shown that it aids in weight loss that generally increases during pregnancy. Even so, this will be different for each person. The reason is, there are some mothers whose appetite increases more than when they were pregnant, so that their weight increases.

6. Hair loss

During pregnancy, most women will experience thicker and luminous hair as a result of the increased production of the hormone estrogen. Unfortunately, after giving birth, your hair will return to normal condition. Your body will naturally shed excess strands that were acquired during pregnancy.

Well, this is what makes many mothers often experience hair loss during breastfeeding. Even so you don't worry. Because the problem of hair loss will return to normal within 6-12 months.

7. Back pain

Breastfeeding allows you to be in one particular position for a long time. Not infrequently, this will make your body feel uncomfortable. Especially on the neck, back, and arms that are too often on the baby's body for a long time while breastfeeding. Frequently changing breastfeeding positions can help overcome this condition.