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Experiencing a tingly sensation when you breastfeed is completely normal. This sensation usually starts for women during pregnancy when their body is getting prepared to accommodate the needs of their baby. Breast milk is essential for your newborn as it is their primary source of nourishment for at least the first 6 months. Breastfeeding has several benefits on the baby and the mother. The baby grows and develops well and the mother is able to expel milk, alleviating the discomfort caused by engorged breasts. Your baby will need to breastfeed multiple times a day and so, the mothers brain hormones and milk ducts work tirelessly to provide enough milk .All of these hormonal changes coupled with other challenges are responsible for the tingling in your breast which is only amplified when you breastfeed.
Let’s look at the 5 main reasons behind your breasts tingle:
1. Thrush
Thrush is a fungal infection which usually develops due to excess sweat, moisture and warmth(1). Unfortunately your breasts check out all three boxes due to your baby constantly suckling them. This can cause both your nipples to be infected which can be painful and uncomfortable. It is best to seek medical help immediately.
2. The Let-Down Reflex
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Sometimes mothers feel a sharp tingling sensation during breastfeeding. This tingling may be painful but it lasts for a short period of time. This may occur due to the fact that your milk has been let down, which is the process by which milk is released from the breast. This is done with the help of the hormone oxytocin also known as the love hormone. However, not all women experience this sensation when their milk is let down. Some feel a pinching sensation deep in the breast and some don’t feel anything at all.
3. Mastitis
Sometimes the milk ducts in your breasts may get clogged which can result in improper drainage of breast milk. Clogged milk ducts cause a tingling and often painful sensation as it could be infected causing mastitis. This is when the nipples are prone to become dry and the skin may break, the breasts become red and tender. You may also experience a feverish feeling. Consult a doctor immediately for relief.
4. Excessive Production Of Milk
That’s right, there can be such a thing as too much milk! This usually occurs with women who have a forceful let down reflex which causes the tingling sensation. The flow is stronger than it should be, causing your baby to cough and spit which can make breastfeeding harder for both parties.
5. Engorged Breasts
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When mature milk starts filling into your breasts a few days after birth, your tissues swell causing your breasts to be engorged, sometimes painfully so. This will cause a tingling sensation. Thankfully the discomfort will ease as you breastfeed regularly.
Now that you know why your breasts are tingling let’s look at ways you can minimize this at home:
1. A Warm Shower Or Warm Compress Works
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A nice long shower works like magic. It’s like hitting the reset button on your body. But even keeping a warm compress on your engorged breasts will have a soothing effect and help alleviate the discomfort. If you can’t fit a shower into your busy schedule simply take a towel and soak it in warm water. Gently place it over your breasts to see results.
2. Keep To A Feeding Schedule
Nothing works as well as consistency. Your newborn needs to feed consistently every 2 to 3 hours a day. Sticking to a schedule will help you facilitate that and give your body a chance to align your let down reflex with the feeding time which will at the very least decrease the tingling sensation.
3. Breast Massage
Your body is going through a lot of changes and sometimes all you need is a little pampering session to help it along no matter how long they last. Massaging your breasts even for a minute or two encourages the milk to flow freely through the milk ducts. This can give you significant relief from any tingling sensation. Massage the top of your breast to the nipple for best results and make sure to use gentle, slow movements so as to not aggravate the pain.
4. Change Your Diet
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Sometimes all you need to do is pay better attention to what you are eating to get rid of the tingles. What you put in your body can have a great effect on your body’s condition. Some people just don’t take to certain foods post pregnancy. It’s normal and it happens frequently. Reducing your intake of caffeine and salt may also help keep the tingling at bay.
Breastfeeding comes with its set of challenges and the tingling sensation is just one of them. However, there are ways in which you can manage them at home and ensure that they don’t become too much of a problem. So be sure to use our tips and tell us how they helped in the comments section!
