Cramps when breastfeeding

Cramps when you're breastfeeding are typically known as "afterpains." Afterpains are thought to be your uterus contracting as it returns to its normal space in your pelvis after you give birth. Because breastfeeding releases oxytocin and oxytocin in turn stimulates contractions, you may feel crampy when you breastfeed. The good news:

• It's actually good that your uterus is returning to normal. Breastfeeding can quicken this process.
• The pain of these particular cramps usually subside within a week after you give birth.
• You can take Tylenol or ibuprofen to ease the pain; take your medicine a little bit before you breastfeed.

When is cramping a problem?: Normal cramping, as noted above, will occur, and some studies show that second and third time mamas feel these cramps more, but the pain shouldn't knock you out. It shouldn't be so painful that you can't deal, and it should stop in about a week. If the pain is horrible, as in it's making you very miserable, or lasts all day, or lasts longer than a week, talk to your health care provider because it could be an infection. Have you felt afterpains while breastfeeding? How bad did they seem to you?