Does Breastfeeding Make You Tired?

Breastfeeding is one of the most beautiful ways to nourish and bond with your baby, but it can also leave you feeling drained. The constant feeding, round-the-clock wake-ups, and energy demands of producing milk can take a real toll on your body and mind. Many new moms describe this exhaustion as postpartum fatigue, a deep tiredness that goes beyond just being “sleepy.”

Part of this fatigue comes from hormones, too. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin and prolactin, both essential for milk production and mother-baby bonding. While they help calm your body and mind, they can also make you feel extra relaxed or even lethargic after a feed.

What Is Postpartum Fatigue?

Postpartum fatigue is a persistent feeling of exhaustion and low energy that affects many mothers after childbirth. Unlike normal tiredness, this fatigue can feel overwhelming and interfere with daily life and emotional well-being.

Common Causes of Postpartum Fatigue

  • Physical recovery from childbirth

    Whether vaginal or cesarean, birth is physically demanding. Your body is healing, adjusting to hormonal changes, and recovering from blood loss—all of which sap energy.
  • Sleep deprivation

    Newborns need near-constant care, which means your sleep is broken into short, irregular stretches. Without deep, restorative rest, exhaustion builds quickly.
  • Hormonal fluctuations

    After delivery, estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply, affecting both energy levels and mood.
  • Nutritional deficiencies

    Breastfeeding increases your need for calories, iron, and key nutrients. Without enough balanced nutrition, fatigue can worsen.
  • Emotional stress

    Adapting to motherhood, worrying about your baby’s health, and juggling household responsibilities can feel mentally and emotionally exhausting.

How Much Energy Does Breastfeeding Take?

Breastfeeding is a calorie-intensive process. On average, it burns 500–700 calories per day, depending on how often and how long your baby feeds. That’s about the same as a vigorous daily workout. These calories are directed toward making breast milk and supporting your baby’s growth and development.

If those extra calories aren’t replenished with a nutrient-rich diet, mothers can quickly feel drained and exhausted.

Why Can Breastfeeding Make You Tired?

While breastfeeding is deeply rewarding, it can also be physically and emotionally tiring. Several key factors contribute to this fatigue:

1. Hormonal Shifts

Breastfeeding releases oxytocin and prolactin. Oxytocin helps you relax and bond with your baby, but it can also make you feel drowsy during or after feeds. This natural “milk-drunk” effect helps your baby drift to sleep, but it often leaves mom sleepy, too.

2. Nutritional Demands

Producing breast milk requires large amounts of protein, calcium, and vitamins. Without replenishing these nutrients through diet or supplements, fatigue sets in. A breastfeeding mom’s body needs extra nourishment to sustain both milk supply and energy.

3. Sleep Disruptions

Newborns feed around the clock, and nighttime waking interrupts sleep cycles. Without consistent, deep rest, exhaustion builds quickly and can evolve into chronic fatigue.

4. Physical Strain

Nursing often involves long stretches of sitting or lying in one position. Poor posture, combined with the physical work of holding and carrying a newborn, can cause back, neck, and shoulder strain, adding to feelings of tiredness.

5. Emotional Stress

Caring for a newborn is emotionally demanding. Anxiety, overwhelm, or postpartum depression can intensify feelings of fatigue. Stress consumes energy just as much as physical activity does.

6. Hydration Needs

Breast milk is mostly water, so fluid demands increase significantly while nursing. If hydration isn’t maintained, dehydration can cause sluggishness, headaches, and greater fatigue.

Breastfeeding Essentials

Erica found her Calm & Co. Nursing Bra to be a true game changer. Comfortable, supportive, and designed for both nursing and pumping. She loved how it gave her the freedom to accomplish more during the day, especially during those quiet moments when her baby was asleep.

Nursing & Pumping Bra

Every mom deserves a bra that makes breastfeeding easier while also supporting her body. The Calm & Co. Nursing Bra is crafted to give you all day comfort, seamless stretch, and the functionality you need, whether you’re nursing, pumping, or simply resting. Unlike standard bras, ours is thoughtfully designed for new mothers, so you can focus on what matters most: caring for your baby.

Will Breastfeeding Tiredness Cause Other Problems?

If left unaddressed, ongoing tiredness from breastfeeding can lead to other challenges beyond simple exhaustion. Some of these include:

  • Weakened immune system – Chronic fatigue lowers your body’s defenses, making you more prone to illness.
  • Emotional stress – Constant tiredness can fuel frustration, anxiety, or even postpartum depression.
  • Reduced milk supply – Severe exhaustion or poor nutrition may affect milk production over time.
  • Impaired bonding – When you’re too drained, it can be harder to fully enjoy moments with your baby, impacting emotional connection.
  • Physical strain – Headaches, back pain, and muscle tension are more likely without proper rest, adding to fatigue.

How to Overcome Breastfeeding Fatigue

Breastfeeding fatigue is very common, but with the right strategies, you can protect your energy and care for both yourself and your baby. Try these tips:

  • Eat nutrient-rich meals and snacks – Include protein, iron, complex carbs, and healthy fats to restore energy.
  • Stay hydrated – Drink water regularly; dehydration is a quick drain on energy.
  • Sleep when your baby sleeps – Even short naps help. Pumping occasionally allows your partner or caregiver to handle feedings so you can rest.
  • Ask for help – Don’t wait until you’re completely overwhelmed. Involve your partner, family, or friends early.
  • Move gently – Brief walks, stretching, or light exercise can boost energy and mood.

Is It OK to Sleep While Breastfeeding?

Many moms doze off while nursing, especially in the side-lying position, which allows rest during feeds. It can be safe under the right conditions, but precautions are important:

  • Place your baby on a firm mattress with no pillows, blankets, or soft bedding nearby.
  • Never fall asleep nursing if you’re extremely overtired or under the influence of medication, drugs, or alcohol.
  • Once feeding is done, put your baby back in a bassinet or crib close to your bed for safe sleep.

Rest is essential for your health and your baby’s well being. Just make sure your sleep environment prioritizes safety to avoid risks like suffocation.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding fatigue is a natural response to the physical and emotional demands of early motherhood, but it doesn’t have to define your experience. Taking care of yourself is not just important, it’s essential. By focusing on rest, nourishment, and support, you’ll not only feel stronger but also be better able to provide the love and care your baby needs.

FAQs About Breastfeeding Making You Tired

Yes, feeling drowsy while breastfeeding is completely normal. The hormone oxytocin, released during nursing, promotes both bonding and relaxation, which often makes moms feel sleepy. Add in the physical effort of breastfeeding and the sleep interruptions that come with caring for a newborn, and it’s easy to see why many mothers feel extra tired during this stage.

Some mothers do notice an increase in energy after weaning. Once milk production stops, the body no longer diverts extra calories and nutrients toward making milk, and sleep patterns may become more regular when nighttime feeds end. However, energy levels vary widely and depend on factors like overall health, diet, stress, and how much restorative sleep you’re getting.

The length of postpartum fatigue is different for every mom. For some, it eases within a few weeks as the body heals and adjusts after delivery. For others, especially when sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, or nutritional deficiencies are present, it may last for several months. Prioritizing self-care, asking for help, and addressing any underlying health concerns can help shorten the duration and lessen the intensity of fatigue.

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition. Calm & Co. is not responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this content.