Feeling nauseous when you breastfeed or pump can be unsettling, but you’re not alone, and it’s usually manageable. Many parents notice a brief wave of nausea right as milk lets down. Others feel sick because they’re running on low fuel, fighting an infection, or—surprise—pregnant again. The good news: once you know the likely cause, there are simple ways to feel better and keep feeding your baby with confidence.
Important: This article offers general information and supportive tips. It’s not a substitute for medical care. If you’re very unwell, can’t keep fluids down, or have severe pain or a high fever, call your clinician.
Can Breastfeeding Make You Nauseous?
Short answer: yes, for some people. The most common time is during the milk let‑down reflex—that moment when your body releases oxytocin to move milk. Oxytocin doesn’t only work on the breast; it can also nudge the gut, which is why a quick, wave‑like queasiness can roll through right as milk starts to flow. For many, it fades within a minute or two.
What Let-Down Nausea Feels Like
- A sudden flutter of queasiness that shows up right as baby latches or the pump starts.
- A hollow, sinking feeling in the stomach, sometimes with a touch of lightheadedness.
- Brief—usually seconds to a couple of minutes—then it eases as the feed settles.
If that describes your experience, you’re likely dealing with a normal body response to oxytocin.
Reasons for Feeling Nauseous While Breastfeeding
When your baby suckles or your pump cycles, your brain releases oxytocin, which tells tiny muscles in the breast to squeeze and move milk forward. Oxytocin can also influence gut motility and secretions, and in some people that cross‑talk triggers a short wave of nausea. Think of it as a reflex ripple—unpleasant, but brief and usually harmless.
Other hormones play a background role too. Prolactin supports milk production and can contribute to a sense of calm or sleepiness while nursing. If you’re under‑hydrated or short on calories, the hormonal shifts may feel stronger, which is one reason nausea shows up more often during night feeds or long cluster‑feeding stretches.
D‑MER vs. Just Nausea
You may have seen the term D‑MER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex). D‑MER is a short, intense rush of negative emotions—sadness, dread, irritability—that happens just before let‑down and resolves within a minute or two. Nausea can tag along, but nausea by itself isn’t D‑MER. If your main symptom is queasiness without that emotional crash, you’re probably experiencing plain let‑down nausea instead.
When to suspect D‑MER:
- The emotional dip is unmistakable and repeats with most let‑downs.
- Feelings improve quickly once milk is flowing.
- You may also notice a hollow or dropping sensation in your stomach, but the emotions are front and center.
If that resonates, mention D‑MER to your clinician or a lactation consultant; even simple awareness can be relieving, and supportive strategies do exist.
Other Common Reasons You Might Feel Nauseous While Nursing
Nausea during breastfeeding isn’t always about let‑down. Consider these possibilities too:
- Under‑fueling or dehydration. Nursing takes energy and fluids. Long gaps between meals or a busy day with barely a sip of water can leave you woozy when a feed starts.
- Overactive let‑down or oversupply. A strong, fast flow can make some parents feel queasy, especially in the early weeks.
- Mastitis or another infection. Fever, body aches, breast tenderness or redness, and feeling generally ill can come with mastitis or flu‑like illnesses—and nausea can be part of that package.
- Pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and cycles have returned (or even if they haven’t), pregnancy nausea can overlap with nursing sessions.
- Medications or supplements. Some antidepressants and other medications can cause nausea as a side effect. Always check compatibility with breastfeeding and talk to your doctor if symptoms are troublesome.
- Iron deficiency (postpartum anemia). If you lost a lot of blood at delivery or feel unusually tired, short of breath, or dizzy, iron deficiency can contribute to nausea.
- Urinary tract infection. UTIs sometimes present with nausea along with pelvic discomfort or burning with urination.
- Low blood pressure or blood‑sugar swings. Postpartum shifts plus missed meals can leave you light‑headed or queasy.
- Unrelated GI issues. Food poisoning, reflux, migraine, motion sickness, and anxiety can all show up as nausea during a feed simply because you’re sitting still and paying attention to your body.
Natural Ways to Prevent Nausea While Nursing
Try a few of these low‑effort ideas and see what gives you relief:
- Pre‑feed mini‑snack. A small carb‑plus‑protein bite—like half a banana with peanut butter, cheese and crackers, or yogurt with granola—can steady your stomach. Aim to eat regularly rather than letting yourself get ravenous.
- Hydrate on a schedule. Keep water within reach and take a few sips before you latch or start the pump. An electrolyte drink can help on high‑demand days; there’s no need to chug large volumes at once.
- Ginger, if you like it. Ginger tea, chews, or lozenges can take the edge off nausea for many people.
- Cracker strategy. Keeping a plain cracker or two by your feeding “spot” can help when the first wave hits.
- Adjust your position. If your flow feels forceful, try “laid‑back” nursing or a more upright, chest‑to‑chest angle so gravity slows things down. Some moms feel better nursing while lying on their side.
- Sea‑Bands or acupressure. Motion‑sickness wristbands are low‑risk and some parents find them helpful during the early weeks.
- Breathe and ground. Slow, even breaths through your nose, shoulders relaxed, feet planted. A cool cloth on the neck or a little fresh air can be surprisingly soothing.
- Prioritize sleep where you can. Fragmented sleep amplifies nausea for some people; short daytime rests count.
- Track your triggers. Jot down when the nausea hits (time of day, last meal, pumping vs. nursing). Patterns can point to simple fixes.
Note on timing: Many parents notice that let‑down nausea eases as supply regulates—often over the first 6–12 weeks postpartum. If it’s persisting or worsening, check in with your clinician and consider a pregnancy test if there’s any chance you could be pregnant.
When Medication Makes Sense
If nausea is persistent or tied to migraines, motion sickness, or a stomach bug, medication can be reasonable. Several anti‑nausea options are generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Because safety depends on the exact drug and your health history, check a reliable database like LactMed and talk with your clinician or pharmacist for personalized guidance. If a prescription is needed, ask about the lowest effective dose, and consider timing doses after a feed to minimize infant exposure.
For pain or headache relief, acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen are commonly used during breastfeeding. Avoid codeine‑containing products unless specifically advised by your doctor, and skip aspirin unless your doctor has recommended it for a medical reason.
Breastfeeding When You’re Sick or Pregnant
- Most common illnesses: You can usually keep breastfeeding; antibodies in your milk may help protect your baby. Focus on fluids, rest, and hand hygiene.
- Mastitis: Keep feeding or pumping to keep milk moving. Seek care promptly if you have high fever, spreading redness, severe pain, or symptoms that don’t improve within a day.
- Pregnancy: Nausea in early pregnancy is common and can overlap with feeds. If nursing is comfortable for you and your pregnancy is uncomplicated, many people choose to continue. If nausea is severe or you’re unsure, loop in your obstetric provider for personalized guidance.
Red Flags: Call Your Clinician
Seek medical care urgently if you notice any of the following:
- You can’t keep fluids down for 24 hours or you’re showing signs of dehydration (very dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth).
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain.
- High fever, chills, or a breast that’s hot, red, and very tender.
- Vomiting that lasts more than a day, blood in vomit, or signs of pregnancy with severe nausea.
- Nausea that doesn’t improve with self‑care and is interfering with feeding your baby.
What Moms Report
Many mothers describe waves of nausea at the start of a feed—very similar to the queasiness you feel when you’re overly hungry or like morning sickness in early pregnancy. A few also notice itchiness under the arms and across the chest during the first minute or two of let‑down; that sensation often fades as the feed continues and may be linked to increased blood flow and skin sensitivity in the area.
Headaches and Dizziness During Breastfeeding
Some parents notice a headache right as a session begins, which can be related to oxytocin’s brief surge or to the relief of engorgement once milk starts moving. Managing stress, staying hydrated, and gentle breast massage to improve milk flow can help.
Dizziness can have many causes postpartum—fatigue, low blood pressure, anemia, dehydration, and medication effects among them. If dizziness is frequent, intense, or accompanied by fainting, seek care. It’s important to rule out anemia and check blood pressure, especially in the first weeks after birth.
FAQs on Nausea while Breastfeeding
Can breastfeeding itself cause nausea?
Yes. A brief wave of queasiness at let‑down is a known, usually harmless response to oxytocin.
Is this D‑MER?
Only if you feel a sudden surge of negative emotions right before milk releases. Nausea alone isn’t D‑MER.
Is it safe to take anti‑nausea medicine while breastfeeding?
Often, yes. Safety varies by drug, so check LactMed and speak with your clinician or pharmacist.
Should I keep breastfeeding if I’m sick?
Usually yes, and your milk remains safe. Rest, hydrate, and watch for red flags.
References
- KellyMom: nausea at let-down; oxytocin link (helpful parent-friendly context). KellyMom.com
- Today’s Parent: expert IBCLC comments on oxytocin and gastric secretions. Today’s Parent
- NIH LactMed (Oxytocin + Drugs in Lactation): definitive drug-safety resource. NCBI
- MDPI review & Physiological Society news: oxytocin-gut pathways (motility/secretions) to support your unique angle. MDPI
- Cleveland Clinic: D-MER overview. my.clevelandclinic.org
- Case report on D-MER (2025): symptom profile recency. PubMed
