Breastfeeding can feel like a roller coaster of ups and downs, depending on how used to it you’ve become. The good news: once you’ve adapted, many women say that breastfeeding feels great.
However, breastfeeding can be pretty uncomfortable in the beginning. In the first week, your breasts will feel full, heavy, and leaky with more milk and plenty of leftover pregnancy swelling. A breastfeeding session should relieve that feeling, but it can be a cycle that repeats for a few weeks. In addition, many folks have nipple pain at the start. As babies learn to latch and suck, they often don’t get it 100% right. This can cause nipple soreness (normal) and a range of pain and damage (not normal). Helping Baby to latch on correctly helps alleviate the pain, and after a few weeks, you’ll both likely be more used to breastfeeding and feel less discomfort. It never hurts, however, to get expert support along the way. Pain isn’t normal, and there are so many breastfeeding experts out there to help.
Once your baby has learned more and gotten comfortable, many women love breastfeeding. It’s often described as a feeling of relief, especially if your breasts are full. Some women say that breastfeeding feels like a tingling, warm feeling in the breast, especially at the moment of the milk let-down reflex that begins the flow. The sucking feels like a gentle tugging sensation. Pleasurable feelings are common too, especially if you’ve enjoyed nipple stimulation in the past (so don’t feel weird about that!). And in the early days after giving birth, don’t be surprised if breastfeeding triggers uterine cramps. They’re helping your uterus return to its pre-baby size.
Breastfeeding’s good feelings are often emotional as well as physical. Many women report a relaxed, calm state, helping them bond with their babies. Others even say they experience euphoria, a breastfeeding high brought on by the release of the hormones oxytocin and prolactin that accompanies baby’s sucking.
And of course we want to acknowledge that every person’s experience is different.If this doesn’t end up resonating with your experience – that’s totally valid! You don’t need to force it. If there’s something specific about breastfeeding that doesn’t work for you, it can be a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider or lactation consultant, and see if there’s anything they can do to help make breastfeeding a better experience for you. Many folks have complex challenges that need a wide range of feeding support.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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Sources
- “Why Breastfeed? Benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby” Healthychildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, 8/31/2022. Web.
- “Help, My Breasts are Swollen & Engorged! What Can I Do to Feel Better?” IABLE, April 2022, Web.
