What are the Side Effects of Breastfeeding?

There are various side effects of breastfeeding, both good and bad. Though the negative side effects are often able to be treated, they may make it difficult for some women to continue nursing for long. One of the most common complaints is increased hunger, as the body needs more calories during breastfeeding. Dry, cracked nipples can also be an issue. Of course, there are some positive effects of breastfeeding, mostly involving the reduced levels of estrogen in the body, which can lead to delayed menstruation and reduced risk of certain cancers.

One of the most commonly mentioned side effects of breastfeeding is seemingly constant hunger. This is because the body burns 500 to 800 calories per day just through nursing the baby, requiring breastfeeding mothers to eat at least 500 more calories each day than they ate while pregnant. Those who neglect to do so may find themselves to be particularly hungry, and their milk supply will likely start dropping, as well. Of course, getting rid of this side effect is typically easy since it just requires adding at least one small meal to the diet. Adding a few healthy snacks instead of an extra meal can do the job, as well.

Many nursing mothers experience dry, cracked nipples, especially during the first few weeks. This can make nursing a painful experience, even causing some mothers to stop altogether. Women with this issue are usually advised to use breastfeeding cream that can be applied at any time, even just before nursing, as it is considered safe for the baby, too. If one nipple is worse than the other, it may be a good idea to nurse more on the other side when possible so that the nipple gets a chance to heal. While this is one of the most painful side effects of breastfeeding, it is also considered among the most treatable.

Some side effects of breastfeeding are actually positive, encouraging women to nurse for as long as possible. For example, estrogen is typically greatly reduced during this time, which usually results in delayed menstruation. Of course, this does not happen for every woman, nor does it always mean that ovulation has stopped, so birth control is often advised even in the absence of menstruation. A related benefit is the reduction of the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, which is caused by the reduced estrogen level. Therefore, the longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk is for these types of cancer.