Congratulations! You have successfully passed the labor and delivery. Now, you are facing another step of being a mother. And this is none other than breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not as simple as we think. There is no doubt that it can create a lot of changes in our bodies. This stage of motherhood can come with a lot of side effects that we are not aware of, and no one warned us about that matter! Today is the best time to unveil the truth about breastfeeding. Here are the 6 things nobody tells you might happen to your body while breastfeeding.
1. Breastfeeding can make you very thirsty
One of the 6 things nobody tells you might happen to your body while breastfeeding is the feeling of being very thirsty. Yes! It is superlative. As in very thirsty! After breastfeeding your newborn, rest assured that your mouth will feel dry, and you will need a glass of water. In this case, you need to keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough amount of water after breastfeeding. You need to keep a bottle of water at your side.
2. It can burn calories
What does breastfeeding do to your body? Another truth from our list of 6 things nobody tells you might happen to your body while breastfeeding is the fact that it can burn calories. Yes, you read it right! Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to lose weight. Did you know that in order for you to make 24 up to 28 ounces of milk, you can burn for as much as 500 calories? That amount of calories is equivalent to one sizeable brownie. But you also have to keep in mind that if you want to stay fit, breastfeeding alone can’t do the magic. You have to do some exercise and keep a healthy and balanced diet.Â
3. The bigger breast doesn’t mean more production of milkÂ
What does every new mom need to know about breastfeeding? One of the things that you need to know is the fact that bigger breast doesn’t necessarily mean that it can produce more milk. You have to take note that it is not the breast size that produces the milk, but it is the milk glands. Sometimes a woman with cup-A breasts can produce more milk compared to the woman with cup-c breasts.
4. Your breasts can be your own alarm clock
Another addition to our list of 6 things nobody tells you might happen to your body while breastfeeding is that your breasts can be your alarm clock. If you think that once your baby falls asleep at night, you can enjoy a good night sleep, well you are wrong. Your breasts can awaken you because of the full to dripping point feeling.
5. Breastfeeding can cause uterine cramps
Uterine cramps are considered as one of the negative effects of breastfeeding on mom. Few days after your delivery and when you begin breastfeeding, you will feel the painful cramping in your uterus. The uterine cramps that you might experience are because of the release of prolactin and oxytocin hormones, which are said to be triggered once the baby begins to suck your nipples.
6. Vaginal dryness is very possible
Another thing that you might experience is vaginal dryness. It is more likely because of the hormone shift after being pregnant. This hormone shift can cause itching, soreness, pain, and dryness in your private part. In this case, you can opt for some moist cream which is specially created to ease the vaginal dryness.
Becoming a new parent and entering the motherhood part of a woman’s life can be an exciting experience. Maybe you already got some advice from some of your family members about the breastfeeding journey, but there are still some things that they forgot to tell you. This article about the 6 things nobody tells you might happen to your body while breastfeeding can be the answer that you are looking for about the hidden truth behind breastfeeding.
Read also:
- Does Breastfeeding Stop Your Period?
- Nipples Care: Preparing Nipples for Breastfeeding
- The Art of Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction
