If you’ve recently given birth and started experiencing headaches and problems with going to the bathroom, you could be losing too much water while breastfeeding. Breastmilk is 90 percent water, and if you’re actively nursing, your body is likely making anywhere between 20 and 40 ounces of it each day. While the average person should drink approximately eight glasses of water each day, people who are nursing require more. Follow these tips for staying hydrated while breastfeeding to keep your health in check.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
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Keep Fluids Nearby
The key to drinking enough liquids is to always have them near you. Get a reusable water bottle—preferably one that holds between 20 and 30 ounces—and take it everywhere you go. You can keep it near your favorite nursing location for easy access.
Pro Tip: Make sure your water bottle fits in your vehicle’s cup holder. You’ll want to take it with you to run the smallest of errands and on the longest of road trips.
Track Your Water Intake
If you find that you’ve been spending a lot of time on your phone, a water tracking app is a productive way to use that time. You can track your water intake to ensure that you are staying hydrated. For those who are pregnant or postpartum, adequate hydration is key to managing incontinence, constipation, headaches, cramps, and fatigue.
Drink When Baby Drinks
Nursing mothers lose more water throughout the day than the average person. Experts recommend that people who are nursing drink 13 glasses of water to stay hydrated. Most infants nurse 6–10 times per day, so if you drink a glass of water each time your baby nurses or you pump, you’ll be well on your way to proper hydration.
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Enjoy Water-Rich Foods
Water is not the only way to stay hydrated while breastfeeding. You can get plenty of fluids from the foods you eat. Fruits and vegetables are especially rich in water and nutrients that help your body stay hydrated. Some of the best foods to eat to stay hydrated include:
Soup
Watermelon
Oranges
Zucchini
Cottage cheese
Tomatoes
Yogurt
Pro Tip: While you may make coffee with water, and it can certainly add to your fluid consumption, caffeine can dehydrate you. It is best to limit your intake.
When you feel your best, you are more likely to be in a good mood and project those vibes to everyone around you. If you’ve been experiencing headaches or cramps since giving birth, consider these tips for staying hydrated while breastfeeding. While these symptoms can be a sign of a larger issue, more water is sometimes all you need.
Author Bio
Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and mental health help create thought provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower mothers and women to embrace the beauty of motherhood.
As a new mom, you have a plethora of responsibilities you need to do. One of these is breastfeeding. Many women breastfeed because they believe it provides more nutrients for their baby than a formula. In addition to this, breastfeeding is thought to create a strong bond between a child and mother.
While breastfeeding has many benefits, it also has a few downsides, including causing back and neck pain. This pain can make it difficult for you to do feedings and other basic tasks. Below you’ll discover more behind why breastfeeding causes back and neck pain and a few tips you can keep in mind to help prevent it.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that I only work with companies and individuals that I trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
Why Does Breastfeeding Cause Back and Neck Pain?
Breastfeeding can cause back and neck pain for a few different reasons. One of the most common culprits behind it is because of improper posture. When breastfeeding, many new moms tend to bend forward more than they should and keep this position as their baby feeds. This can be very uncomfortable, but many moms try to avoid moving because their baby is feeding. Poor posture can put significant strain on your spine which can stress the vertebrae in your back and neck.
Besides posture, many moms sit in chairs that don’t provide lumbar support. Because of this, many will try to find a comfy position to feed in. While this position might feel fine at first, it can cause back and neck tension.
5 Ways to Stop Back and Neck Pain When Breastfeeding
Watch How Far You Bend
A common problem that causes back and neck pain when breastfeeding is when one bends their body too much. While you need to do so when breastfeeding, sometimes moms overdo it which can put significant strain on their back and neck muscles.
When breastfeeding you want to make sure to use correct posture. One of the best ways to do this is with the cradle position. To do this position, hold your baby across your lap so that they are lying on their side. Make sure to support them with your hand behind their back. Hold your baby close to your body so that they can feed. This will help you to monitor them but without bending your neck and back.
You could also try the side-lying position. By lying down on your side, you’ll be able to better support your back and neck while being in a comfortable pose. Once you lie on your side, bring your baby close to you so that you face each other. Hold your arm behind them to provide support as they feed. It might also be helpful to place a pillow behind your baby to support them.
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Use a Wrap-Around Pillow
Another way to prevent back and neck pain is to wear a wrap-around pillow. As its name suggests, this pillow will wrap around you. This will provide extra support which can make long feeding more bearable.
To use a wrap-around pillow when breastfeeding you’ll first want to place it where you plan to hold your baby. Wrap it around your body and gently place your baby on it. While holding them, place them close to your body so they can feed. This will provide a soft place for them to rest and position them higher up so you can watch them without straining your neck and back.
Do Back and Neck Exercises
You can also do simple back and neck exercises to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
Pelvic Tilt
One exercise to consider is the pelvic tilt. This stretches your lower back, the portion of the spine that often takes the brunt of improper breastfeeding. To start, lie with your back on the ground and your knees bent. Keep your feet and arms flat on the ground. Then, use your arms and legs to gently lift your lower back up. Hold the position for a few seconds and then release. Continue this motion a few more times.
Hamstring Stretch
Another exercise to do is the hamstring stretch. This will also provide relief to your lower back. To begin, stand with proper posture and then lower your arms straight down toward your feet. Try to go as far as you can without bending your knees. When you feel a slight pull in your hamstring, stop stretching and hold the pose for a few seconds. Then, return to a standing position.
Wall Arm Stretches
This popular yoga pose will provide relief to tight and sore neck muscles. The first step is to find a wall. Place your palms flat against it and then move your body until your arms are straight. Slightly bend your body down toward the ground while keeping your arms straight. Hold the stretch for a few seconds and then release. Take a deep breath and then repeat.
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Utilize a Heating Pad
A heating pad can also be useful. While wearing it, the heat will soothe sore and tense muscles that could cause painful muscle spasms. Once you’re done breastfeeding, immediately put the pad on for a few minutes. This will prevent the muscles from contracting. You’ll also find that a heating pad will boost your blood circulation. This could increase breast milk which can give your baby additional nutrients.
Use Chiropractic Care
If you find that your back and neck pain is too much to handle, it might be beneficial to stop by a chiropractor. They’ll do adjustments that will ensure that your spine is aligned while reducing muscle tension. A chiropractor will also make sure that your joints are invigorated after the adjustments which can prevent them from being easily worn and stressed. These adjustments can also help you get rid of back pain after pregnancy.
Chiropractic care is safe to use if you’re breastfeeding. In fact, it could improve blood flow which can help your baby receive even more nutrients when they feed so they stay healthy.
If you want to stop back and neck pain during breastfeeding, definitely keep these tips in mind. Not only are they easy to do, but will provide quick relief and will make it easier for your baby to breastfeed.
Author Bio:
Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Anchorage and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. He offers a progressive and highly innovative approach to chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physical therapy to Alaskan patients.
Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe, Organic Facts, and Thrive Global. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians.
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