Breastfeeding has both positive and negative side effects, including increased hunger and dry, cracked nipples. However, the reduced estrogen levels can lead to delayed periods and a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Adding more calories to the diet and using breastfeeding cream can help alleviate negative side effects.
There are various side effects of breastfeeding, both good and bad. Although the negative side effects can often be treated, they can make it difficult for some women to continue breastfeeding for a long time. One of the most common complaints is increased hunger, as the body needs more calories while breastfeeding. Dry, cracked nipples can also be a problem. Of course, there are some positive effects of breastfeeding, mostly involving reduced estrogen levels in the body, which can lead to delayed periods and a reduced risk of some cancers.
One of the most commonly cited side effects of breastfeeding is seemingly constant hunger. That’s because the body burns 500 to 800 calories a day just breastfeeding, requiring nursing mothers to eat at least 500 more calories each day than those who ate during pregnancy. Those who neglect to do so may find themselves particularly hungry and their milk supply will also start to decline. Of course, eliminating this side effect is usually easy as it only requires adding at least one small meal to your diet. Adding a few healthy snacks instead of an extra meal can get the job done, too.
Many nursing mothers have dry, cracked nipples, especially during the first few weeks. This can make breastfeeding a painful experience, even causing some mothers to stop altogether. Women with this problem are usually advised to use a breastfeeding cream that can be applied anytime, even just before breastfeeding, as it is also considered safe for the baby. If one nipple is worse than the other, it may be a good idea to breastfeed more on the other side when possible so that the nipple has a chance to heal. While this is one of the most painful side effects of breastfeeding, it is also considered to be among the most treatable.
Some side effects of breastfeeding are actually positive, encouraging women to breastfeed for as long as possible. For example, estrogen is typically greatly reduced during this time, which usually results in a delay in menstruation. Of course, this doesn’t happen for all women, nor does it always mean that ovulation has stopped, so birth control is often recommended even if you don’t have a period. A related benefit is the reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, which is caused by the reduced estrogen level. Therefore, the longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk for these types of cancer.
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